USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Orange > Town annual report of the officers of Orange, Massachusetts 1932 > Part 9
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For these purposes the polls will be opened at 6 o'clock A. M. and will be closed at 4 o'clock P. M.
ARTICLE 1. To hear any reports that may be presented, or act thereon.
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ART. 2. To see if the Town will allow any accounts that may be presented or act thereon.
ART. 3. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer to accept any money or moneys donated or given by any person or persons for relief purposes, said money to be expended under direction of the Welfare De- partment.
ART. 4. To see if the town will vote to authorize its selectmen to act as the Board of Public Welfare.
ART. 5. To see if the town will vote to authorize its Selectmen to act as Board of Health and assume all such duties of said Board as out- lined in the General Laws.
ART. 6. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following by-law: "That an agent for the Board of Public Welfare be appointed for one year by the Board of Selectmen, acting as the Board of Public Welfare, who shall be the administrative head of this department subject at all times to the direction of the Board of Selectmen and who may be removed at any time by a majority vote of said Board. Said Agent shall be qualified by education and experience to carry on the duties of this office and shall hold no elective position in said Town, or act thereon.
ART. 7. To see if the Town will instruct the Cemetery Department, the Board of Health, the Board of Public Welfare and the Water Depart- ment to have all essential records maintained at the Town House by a person regularly employed as clerical assistant to the Town officers.
ART. 8. To see if the Town will vote to request a voluntary dona- tion from employees in all departments of the Town according to the following percentage: 5% from those whose compensation is $1,000 per year or less; 71-2% from those whose compensation is more than $1,000 per year and less than $2,000 and 10% from those whose compensation is $2,000 or more, or take any action thereon.
ART. 9. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to de- fray Town charges for the year ensuing and make appropriations for the same.
ART. 10. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year and to refund such temporary loans in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44 of the General Laws and the amendments thereto.
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ART. 11. To see if the Town will vote to fix the time for payment of taxes, the date when interest on unpaid taxes shall begin and the rate of interest to be collected, or act in relation thereto.
ART. 12. To see if the Town will choose a Director in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 128, Section 41, of the General Laws, to serve one year or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ART. 13. To see what the Town will vote to do with the money received from the County, known as the "Dog Fund," or act thereon.
ART. 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500 for the improvement of Wheeler avenue, the money to be spent under Section 34, Chapter 90 of the General Laws; one thousand dollars to be expended by the Town, one thousand by the State and five hundred by the County, or act thereon.
ART. 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 for the improvement of Mattawa road (the road leading from Walnut Hill road to Lake Mattawa), $500 to be expended by the Town and | $500 by the County, or act thereon.
ART. 16. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $1500 together with a bond issue to the amount of $6500 to be used with such sums as the State or County or both may appropriate under Section 34, Chapter 90, of the General Laws, as amended, for the permanent con- struction of West Main street, in accordance with the plans made by the State Department of Public Works. Bonds to be issued as specified in Chapter 44 of the General Laws as Amended by Chapter 324 of the Acts of 1928, Section 7, Paragraph 6.
ART. 17. To see if the Town will indemnify the Commonwealth of Massachusetts against any and all claims for land, grade and drainage damages which may be caused by or result from the laying out, alteration, construction and reconstruction of the State Highway in Orange, begin- ning at a point near Shelter street in Orange and extending easterly to the Central Square, or any sections or relocations thereof, and will autho- rize the Board of Selectmen to sign indemnity agreements therefor in behalf of the Town, and make an appropriation therefor, or take any other action with respect thereto.
ART. 18. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to appoint any member thereof as superintendent of the Water Department, the salary of such officer be fixed by vote of the Town.
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ART. 19. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Cemetery Commissioners to appoint any member thereof as superintendent of the Cemetery Department, the salary of such officer to be fixed by vote of the Town.
ART. 20. To see if the Town will authorize the Tree Warden to draw from the appropriation for his department $25.00 per year as salary and the further sum of 45c per hour for all time that he shall expend in actual labor in connection with his department.
ART. 21. To see if the Town will vote to extend its sewer system on Blodgett street from Hayden street westerly about five hundred feet to the residence of John Engstrom, raise and appropriate the sum of $500 to pay for the same, or act thereon.
ART. 22. To see if the Town will vote to hold its annual Town Meeting, for the election of Town officers and votes on referenda, on the first Monday of February; and by adjournment for the transaction of business, other than the election of officers and votes on referenda, on the second Monday of February.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant, by posting up attested copies thereof at the Post Offices in Orange and North Orange, ten days at least before the time of holding said meeting and by publishing attested copies thereof, in the local newspapers, in said Town, once at least before the time of holding said meeting.
HEREOF FAIL NOT, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting, as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this 24th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty-three.
HOWARD P. WARREN, FRANK A. HOWE, EARL P. STONE, R. A. LUNDGREN,
Selectmen of Orange.
A true copy. ATTEST:
CLYDE R. GOSS, Constable of Orange.
.
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Orange, Mass., January 20, 1933.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Orange, Massachusetts.
RE: 1933 WARRANT
Gentlemen:
The Finance Commission approves Articles 14, 15 and 16. We do not approve Article 21.
Respectfully,
HERBERT M. JOHNSON, MICHAEL H. ROCHE, CLAUDE E. MARDEN, WILLIAM L. KIMBALL, JESSE C. WORRICK,
Finance Commission.
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
School Committee
of the-
TOWN OF ORANGE
for the.
Year Ending December 31st 1932
2
Report of School Committee
At a meeting of the School Committee held January 9, 1933, it was voted to accept the report of the Superintendent of Schools and adopt it as the report of the School Committee.
IVOR P. MUZZEY, Chairman EDWIN E. WARNER, Secretary GEORGE W. ANDREWS (MRS.) ARLENE WARREN H. FLOYD FRENCH HARRY C. EARLE
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School Officers
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
IVOR P. MUZZEY
19 West Myrtle Street
MRS. ARLENE WARREN 49 Lincoln Avenue HARRY C. EARLE
Term expires 1933
Term expires 1933
Term expires 1934
87 Congress Street
H. FLOYD FRENCH North Orange GEORGE ANDREWS
Term expires 1934
Term expires 1935
67 Putnam Street
EDWIN E. WARNER Term expires 1935
218 West River Street
REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE
First Monday of each month at 7.30 P. M.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
EDWARD C. HEMPEL
Telephone: Office 599-M Residence 276-W
OFFICE HOURS
4.00-5.00 P. M. Monday and Wednesday 8.00-9.00 A. M. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday At other times by appointment
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SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
KIRKE L. ALEXANDER, M. D.
22 Grove Street
SCHOOL NURSE
FLORENCE B. RYAN, R. N. SCHOOL DENTIST FRANK T. WATERS, D. D. S.
54 East Myrtle Street
7 1-2 West Main Street
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School Calendar
1932-1933 School Year
FIRST TERM
Tuesday, September 6, 1932 for teachers Ends Wednesday, December 22, 1932
SECOND TERM
All Schools open Tuesday, January 3, 1933 Ends Friday, February 17, 1933
THIRD TERM
All Schools open February 27, 1933 Ends Friday, April 14, 1933
FOURTH TERM
Begins Monday, April 24, 1933
Grades close Friday, June 9, 1933 High School closes Friday, June 23, 1933
High School Graduation, second week in June, 1933
1933-1934 SCHOOL YEAR
FIRST TERM
Begins Tuesday, September 5, 1933, for teachers General meeting for all teachers at 2.00 at High School Wednesday, September 6, 1933, for pupils Ends Friday, December 22, 1933
SECOND TERM
All Schools open Tuesday, January 2, 1934 Ends February 19, 1934
6
Report of the Superintendent
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF ORANGE:
Our fourth annual report in this series of school reports is submitted to you for your kindly consideration. To this we have added the reports of our associates. These too, meric your attention. A careful study and an appreciation of our activities, our needs and our recommendations may be helpful to the children of Orange.
ENROLLMENT
Even though the enrollment this year is slightly larger than that of a year ago, you will observe from the table below that there has been a gradual increase in the enrollment in the public schools of Orange since 1929. Our registration in the elementary schools is less than that of 1931, but in the high school the enrollment is decidedly more.
October 1, 1928, enrollment 1062
October 1, 1929, enrollment 1047
October 1, 1930, enrollment 1070 October 1, 1931, enrollment 1109
October 1, 1932, enrollment 1118
HIGH SCHOOL CROWDED
During the first four weeks of the fall term, there were enrolled in the high school 364 pupils. At the present time the membership is nearly 360; of this number, 14 are Post Graduates. Kindly note the following fact: Although the high school membership has increased about 100 since 1929, yet the teaching staff has been reduced, there being two less now than on the previous date. This has necessitated the elimination of a paid teacher for manual training; the work is now being conducted on a voluntary basis under the direction of the Principal and two capable seniors. Similarly the work in domestic science has been curtailed so that now there are three classes, two of them being afternoon sessions; consequently this teacher, in addition to lunch room management, has three classes in English. The glee club and orchestra have been taken over by Principal Davis and Mr. Crocker.
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Our decreased teaching staff plus the increased membership has necessitated considerable program rearrangement. This has been accom- plished, but not without crowding certain rooms and classes. In fact, there are several rooms in the high school now that are too small to accom- modate our large classes. Moreover, the size of the rooms will not permit the addition of more seats. Temporarily, we have placed chairs in con- venient places about the rooms.
ALTERATION SUGGESTED
What may we do about it? Orly one plan seems advisable. This is to divide Room 21, the so-called study hall, which is located in the eastern portion of the building on the second floor. At the present time this room accommodates between 85 and 90 pupils. This study hall may be parti- tioned so that two large size rooms will be available for class room instruction. A partition will be a permanent improvement and will cost less than the installation of movable equipment elsewhere, i. e., in the gymnasium, not to mention a large annual expense for heat. Thus you will note that we are recommending an outlay to remedy to some extent our over-crowded condition in the high school.
SCHOOL POLICIES
What has been the policy of the School Board and the Superintendent during the past three years?
First, we have sought to improve and safeguard the health of our children. Since our curtailment of the physical education program, we admit that this element of instruction has been seriously neglected. Our health program has necessarily suffered. Therefore, the reinstatement of physical education for ALL boys and girls should be one of the first steps in a sensible, long-time policy in progressive education.
From the 1930 report you note that a ten-year program for equipping our rooms with adjustable posture seats and desks was adopted. The first leg of the program was accomplished a year ago when seats were installed in Grades 2 at the Central and Cheney Street Schools. We intend to continue that program as soon as funds are available.
Another policy, which was adopted more than a year ago, was the plan to provide opportunity for individual instruction in the so-called ungraded or opportunity room at the Cheney Street School. This needs further study and possibly some readjustment. From our investigation it seems that more progress may be made by placing children there who are younger than the present group and carrying them along regularly according to their individual abilities and needs.
Instrumental music has been listed on our program for attention and guidance. We regret that this has not been accomplished. However, we
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are making plans for the beginning of instrumental music in the grades and continuing it through the high school.
THE BUDGET
Undoubtedly the question of school costs and the amount of money necessary to carry on the schools for the year is uppermost in the minds of our citizens. This is evident, not only because it is Town Meeting time, but because talk of economy is in the air everywhere.
Concerning our own schools, it is well to consider the facts, not only for this year, but since the time our highest point in school expenditures was reached, about five years ago. Then the school budget called for $91,000. What has happened since then? In 1929 it was $89,000; in 1930 it was $89,500; in 1931 it was $85,000; in 1932 it was $80,000; and this year, 1933, we have asked the Finance Board to approve our request for $75,000. Considering the reduction in our appropriations from $91,000 to $75,000 on a percentage basis, our budget has been reduced more than 1712 per cent.
From the point of view of appropriations the reductions amount to $16,000. This means the equivalent of about a $3 reduction on the tax rate, because in Orange $5,000 in appropriations means $1 additional to the tax rate. Therefore, we do not hesitate to announce that education costs have tended to keep the tax rate in Orange down.
This year we shall attempt further economy in the matter of repairs, heat, light, supplies, and though we are reluctant to say so, we may have to curtail contemplated purchases of necessary materials and books. Further reductions may be made in miscellaneous expenses, in transportation and the operation of our school plants. From our previous reports you will "appreciate our position and from your kindly words, we know that you realize that we mean to be careful in the expenditure of the Town's funds. This policy we shall continue to follow.
CHILDREN FIRST
There is a custom, which time has continued to emphasize, and one which we gloriously and steadfastly uphold, that wherever the welfare of women and children is being considered, whether it be on the sea or on the land, the thought primarily in the minds of men is, "women and children first." In times such as these, when we are coldly calculating possible economical measures, are we putting "women and children first?"
The education of our youth is of paramount importance. Yet there must be health first, furnished by means of daily bread, clothing and shelter. Then there should be opportunity for spiritual, physical and mental develop- ment. The schools must bear a portion of the load in the development of the youth morally, i. e., in character, and the greatest part in his physical and mental growth. This is our task. And this we intend to do. Yet in
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order to carry on a curtailed program with heavy teaching loads, we need the help of our citizens, not only in finances, but by confidence and enthusi- astic support of the work we seek to accomplish.
The children of Orange are going through school only once. They are going through now. What is lost today can never be made up. It is not similar to the repair of roads, the construction of new buildings, the beauti- fication of parks and grounds, or the development of public utilities such as gas, water and light: all of these are good and worthy enterprises-we need them all, but if as a result of these projects women and children are to be neglected, then such improvements may well wait. Children and their education must not be neglected !
RURAL SCHOOLS
It seems proper to call to your attention our rural schools. These schools, though ungraded, are worthy of mention for their achievements during the past few years. Especially do we recognize the enthusiastic cooperation of the citizens of North Orange and Tully in regard to 4 H Club work. This work developed into projects in canning, sewing, wood-working and gardening under the direction of the teachers and several of the parents. Their generous assistance is appreciated.
In Tully the 4 H Club captured the silver cup permanently as a result of winning the first prize for the second time for the best float at the Green- field Fair. The combined display of the North Orange and Tully schools at the School and Garden Exhibit shows what can be done by united effort. As we witness their "extra-curricular" activities, we note that the schools combine for patriotic services, for Christmas entertainments and for various get-togethers. This spirit of friendly cooperation has our hearty endorse- ment.
From a physical standpoint, what are we doing to keep our rural schools in good condition? Minor repairs are necessary from year to year and these are made regularly. However, if distinct improvements are to be made in these buildings, considerable expense will be entailed; thus, it seems best for us to wait for "better times" and then plan for a building which will house the schools of North Orange and Tully under one roof.
TRANSPORTATION
We have been obliged to increase our transportation routes during the past three years chiefly because of increased attendance at the high school from our North Orange and Tully districts. In addition we have been obliged to increase the transportation of children attending the elementary schools in both of the above sections. Obviously, this has increased our expenditures.
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NO SCHOOL SIGNALS
Acting upon our recommendation and by vote of the Board, you have discarded the so-called "No School Signals." There are three reasons for this action. First, the signal for "No School" has not been sounded during the present administration, probably not once during the past five years. Second, the blowing of whistles locally and in the neighboring towns makes a confusion of sounds on stormy mornings, and parents wonder whether it means school or "no school" for Orange. Third, improved road conditions and the increase in the use of automobiles have helped to maintain good attendance, even in stormy weather. Now that we have eliminated this signal, we intend to keep schools open every day. Parents, of course, are to use their judgment in sending their children out in stormy weather.
REPORTS FOLLOW
The reports of our associates follow. These are in some cases brief, but we think that they may contain many items of interest to you.
THE HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
This is the fifth report of the Principal of the High School, Dwight S. Davis.
ECONOMIES
As a result of the adoption by the School Board of the suggestions con- tained in my memorandum to you of January 27, 1932, there are but twelve teachers on the faculty. No subject has been dropped from the curriculum although the number of boys taking manual training has been limited to those who have proven themselves capable of working with but little super- vision. While I surely would not recommend, in prosperous times, the continuance of a "skeleton organization" such as we have at present, I will say that it is with ever increasing appreciation of the true mettle of our staff that I observe the efficient administration of the classrooms of this school. I think that the greatest contributing factor in this maintenance of school morale is the fact that every one of our teachers has had at least a year's experience in our school. It will be to the advantage of the boys and girls of this school if conditions favorable to the retention of our present staff are maintained. The table below will show that the per pupil cost of salaries in the high school is at present only 54 per cent of the per pupil cost in 1928-1929. This decrease is sur ly indicative that we, in the high school, have more than borne our share of the burden of budget reduction.
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Year
Total salaries paid to High School Teachers
Enrollment
Per pupil cost of salaries
1928-1929
$24,700
269
$91 82
1929-1930
22,850
249
91 59
1930-1931
22,550
284
79 40
1931-1932
22,350
342
65 35
1932-1933
17,960
354
50 73
Building maintenance constitutes the other major item of expense in the operation of our school. In previous reports to you we have cited the efficiency with which Mr. Harris has operated the heating plant. His skillful handling of the equipment has brought favorable comment from visiting engineers, whose opinions we quoted to you some time ago. In the matter of repair of equipment both Mr. Harris and Mr. Humphrey show an unusual degree of interest and skill. In many instances they bring to my attention certain changes which they can make which will effect a saving in the nominal depreciation of equipment. It is their cooperativeness and interest in their positions as custodians of the town's most valuable public building that makes the well-kept appearance of our building the subject of the enthusiastic comment of many visitors.
The minor expense of supplies and textbooks has been kept at the same low proportional cost that we have maintained during the past four years.
TEACHERS
For the sake of brevity I will refrain from my usual comment on the outstanding work of our best teachers. The new ; columns of the Enterprise and Journal have, during the year, carried accounts of some of our most noteworthy classroom achievements.
Last summer the following teachers took professional courses:
Alice Kingsbury at Cambridge University, England
Donald B. Mitchell at Bates College
Samuel W. Crocker at Harvard University
Ralph W. Verney at Springfield Y. M. C. A. College
Earle W. Moody at University of New Hampshire
Dwight S. Davis at Harvard University
Miss Ellen Musgrove travelled abroad last summer, thereby bettering herself professionally.
Miss Mildred Partridge spent the summer in planning, writing and revising a series of drills and tests in English grammar for use in all four grades in our high school. So valuable have these proven that we should not be surprised to see them copyrighted and published for general use. The work which Miss Partridge put on this system for the improvement of grammar usage in our school was, in our opinion, even more arduous than the average course in summer school.
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This winter, on Saturday, the following teachers are taking professional courses: Alice Kingsbury, Henry W. Littlefield and Donald B. Mitchell at Boston University, and Dwight S. Davis at Harvard University.
GRADUATES
Last June's graduating class is distributed as follows: Four are attend- ing college,-one at Oberlin, one at Marietta and two at the State Teachers College at Fitchburg. Four are attending vocational schools of advanced standing. Nineteen are taking post-graduate work at our school. Since no special classes had to be formed for these students they have cost the town practically no extra expense. In order to keep them working to the limit of their individual capacities, the passing mark required of post- graduates is one grade higher than that required of undergraduates. Two of our post-graduates have proven themselves extremely capable labora- tory assistants and have rendered valuable service to the school in helping with the second string basketball players and with girls' basketball. Seven- teen are gainfully employed in Orange and nearby towns. Twenty-two are at home.
CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The new course in Current History, given by Mr. Littlefield, has been described in detail in local press news items. It has proven even more valuable than we anticipated when we recommended its adoption.
The increase in enrollment, decrease in teaching staff and my own additional work in the classroom have contributed to decrease greatly the amount of supervision which I am able to do. Fortunately, less supervision is necessary with our experienced faculty than would be necessary should we have had several inexperienced teachers. If we are unfortunate enough to lose some of our best teachers this June, I doubt if it will be possible to maintain our present high standards without relieving the principal of some of his classroom work and hiring an extra teacher,-poor economy, at best! I hope that we can make their present positions attractive enough to hold our present staff intact for at least another year. Should the high school salary budget be curtailed as high as 10 per cent, this would mean that the Town of Orange would save less than two thousand dollars, or about ONE CENT in every tax dollar. I am confident that by retaining our present faculty which has shown itself capable of cheerfully and efficiently bearing a tremendous curricular and extra-curricular load we shall more nearly be able to conduct a school which is a real asset to a forward-looking community than we could in any other way.
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