USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1936 > Part 14
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The assembly hall will seat 668 on its floor and in its balcony. Its stage is well adapted for plays or musicals. Both schools use it for school assemblies, educational pro- grams and chorus work. Its attractiveness adds greatly to the morale of both schools. At present it lacks scenery for use in plays. Responsible community organizations
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wishing a hall to accommodate 500 to 650 may use this at reasonable costs.
The double gymnasium is separated by large folding doors, permitting one side to be used for basketball and other gymnastic work by girls and one by boys. When the doors are open basketball may be played across the long way and spectators seated on the sides and in the balcony. The gymnasium may also be used for social gatherings. Community groups under W. P. A. leader- ship are already using one gymnasium two nights a week.
Local Labor Employed
The following figures show what it meant to many Plymouth citizens in terms of hours of labor and wages paid.
Out of Town
Local
Hours
Wages
Hours
Wages
General Labor
30,276
$34,479.31
31,342
$22,895.76
Supervision
9,970
12,187.10
4,256
3,628.67
Total
40,246
$46,666.41
35,598
$26,524.43
From the above data secured from the payrolls of all sub-contractors and the general contractor, local persons put in more hours in general labor than did out of town. Had there been more union laborers in the highly skilled trades, the total would have been higher. Supervision was largely carried on by the contractors themselves, or by their key men. Naturally the wages in this group were higher for out of town. Over $30,000 was spent locally in supplies or for equipment.
Improvement of Grounds
The erection of the new high school building neces- sitated a large amount of filling and grading on the front and two sides. Through the fine cooperation of the W. P. A. authorities and the Board of Selectmen, a project com- pletely taking care of the grading, the walks and the driveway has been approved. Plans for furnishing ap-
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propriate shrubbery in the spring have been made by the Plymouth Garden Club.
With the purchase of the Frim property, easy access is had to Bradford Street. As soon as the grading pro- ject is completed the north bound buses will bring their pupils through the Frim property to the rear of the school.
Appreciation of P. W. A.
The citizens of Plymouth owe the Federal Government a debt of gratitude for encouraging the erection of the new school. By their generous offer to give 45% of the preliminary estimated cost of the building exclusive of the architect's fee, this fine edifice was secured at a cost to the taxpayer of only $189,850, over and above the government's share of $138,150. According to P. W. A. regulations, a full time resident engineer inspector (R. E. I.) was present to aid in the supervision of the construc- tion of the building and to check carefully all changes in plans and specifications. Mr. Herbert Watson was the R. E. I. through most of the construction. Mr. E. O. Strong, the local clerk of the works, protected the in- terests of the town. Both men rich in training and years of practical experience gave careful attention to the de- tails of construction. The P. W. A. authorities in Boston were extremely courteous and fair, working for the best interests of all concerned.
B. Reorganization and Administration
As explained in previous reports and shown in the plans submitted to the town, the Junior and Senior High Schools were reorganized on what is known as the 6-3-3- plan, that is, six grades in the elementary grades, three in the Junior High School consisting of the seventh, eight and ninth, and three in the Senior High School con- sisting of the sophomores, juniors and seniors. It was decided best to retain the two principals, as the primary function of each school is radically different. Each school has its own type of problems and should therefore have
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at its head a person who thoroughly knows them. One principal will be in charge of the Junior High School, while the Senior High School principal will be in charge of the administration of his school and of the correlating of the programs of the two schools in so far as both schools use rooms in common. The position of assistant principal was retained. However, instead of being large- ly supervisory, the main work is that of a teacher. He is also required to direct the activities of either school in the case of the enforced absence of either principal.
It should be especially pleasing to all the citizens that this fine new plant with all its modern facilities will be operated at a cost no greater than formerly, and pro- bably at some saving. The cost of heating the entire plant will be no more than that of the two old buildings and possibly less; the janitor service will be approximately the same; the cost of lights and electric power for venti- lation will be slightly higher; the cost of transportation will be materially lower, due to the elimination of extra trips caused by the double sessions at the Senior High School. The number of teachers would have been re- duced by one or possibly two, had it not been thought best to reduce the size of the seventh and eight grade classes. Eight divisions in these grades, varying from 42 to 44 pupils were reduced to 35 to 37, thus increasing the efficiency of the classroom work by giving oppor- tunities for greater individual attention. Physical train- ing work for all the pupils in the Senior High School was provided through reorganization of the work in this de- partment. Orchestras, glee clubs and the band are sched- uled in regular school hours. The school day has been increased from five hours to six as is done in the better school systems, eliminating home work in grades seven and eight and reducing it for many pupils in the other grades. Thus a completely revised educational program making full use of all the school facilities with reason- able class sizes has been made possible at a slightly less cost to the taxpayer.
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C. Increase in the School Budget
For the past five years the school budget has been greatly decreased. For the year ending December 31, 1930 school expenses, not including Americanization, amounted to $248,836.24, for the year ending December 31, 1936, $215,663,91, a reduction of $33,172.33. On the per pupil basis, there has been a decrease of $14.37 since 1931, while the state average decrease is only $4.80, as shown in the comparative tables of per pupil costs in the accompanying report of the superintendent of schools. In other words, the decrease in cost per pupil in Plymouth has been three times that of the state average. The main factors have been rigid economies in text books and sup- plies, reduction in the number of teachers, and a reduc- tion in the salaries of the employees receiving over $1,000, effective since April 1, 1932. The previous reductions in maintenance and in supplies together with higher prices, make it necessary to ask for increased amounts in these items. Salaries, reduced in April 1932 as a tem- porary measure should be restored. This would increase the budget about $10,000 for the ensuing year. Even with this increase the average salary for the employees is much less than that of the state. Living costs are very much higher. Welfare costs in the town, which must of necessity be higher than in 1931, should we believe, be assessed upon all the citizens and not fall heavily upon the town employees.
The question of carrying insurance must be decided by the town. At present a temporary policy for $385,000 is in force. On a yearly basis the premium would be $1812. If insurance is to be carried, the installation of sprinklers in the basement would affect the cost materi- ally.
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D. New Heating System at the Cornish and Burton Schools.
The School Committee wish to call the attention of the citizens to the serious condition of the heating system at the Cornish School as described in the report of the superintendent. It is imperative that action be taken at once.
E. HAROLD DONOVAN, Chairman FANNIE T. ROWELL,
Secretary EDWARD W. BRADFORD
HARRY W. BURNS
EDWARD A. BUTTNER
J. FRANKLAND MILLER School Committee
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DEDICATION EXERCISES JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING November 16, 1936
Invocation Rev. John J. O'Brien
Welcome Anson B. Handy Superintendent of Schools
Presentation of Key Ralph G. Stebbins President, Frank Irving Cooper Corporation, Architects
Acceptance of Key Dr. E. Harold Donovan Chairman, School Committee
Acceptance of Key James A. White
Chairman, Board of Selectmen
School Songs Junior High School Glee Club
Senior High School Glee Club
GREETINGS Andrew H. Peterson State Director, Public Works Administration
Alfred R. Mack State Supervisor of Secondary Education
Dr. Jesse B. Davis Dean, Boston University School of Education
Dr. Zenos E. Scott
President, Bridgewater State Teachers College
John F. Scully Superintendent of Schools, Brockton
Challenge to Principals Mary M. Dolan Principal, Junior High School Wayne M. Shipman Principal, Senior High School
Benediction
Rev. Alfred R. Hussey
New Senior High School from Lincoln Street.
101
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3
.......
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Assembly hall and stage. The hall and its balcony will accommodate 668, the stage over 100. The stage is well adapted for plays, operettas or other forms of entertainment.
Cafeteria. Seating accommodations for 450 pupils.
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K
Art room.
Science room for chemistry and physics.
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!
Double gymnasium. One set of folding doors may be seen against the wall, when closed two gymnasiums are ready for use.
26%8
New boiler room showing the automatic stokers and furnaces. Stokers greatly reduce coal costs.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Plymouth School Committee :
It is with a special feeling of gratification that I sub- mit to you my eleventh annual report as Superintendent of Plymouth Schools. The serious conditions of short hours of school due to part-time and the inadequate facilities at the Junior and Senior High Schools, pre- sented in previous reports, have been completely elimin- ated by the erection of the new school building. No longer is it necessary for pupils to stand during school assem- blies and moving or stereopticon pictures. They now en- joy the best of entertainments or inspirational talks in a fine artistic assembly hall, a room which in itself appeals to the finest qualities of youth. The cafeteria is filled three times a day with students seated in comfort at tables for their noon day lunch, and conversing in an atmos- phere of relaxation and enjoyment. The two gymnasiums are in constant use not only during the school hours but after school, frequently until five or six o'clock. Here they are developing their physical nature in healthy ex- ercises and in games, which keep them actively engaged and interested in worthwhile recreation.
With longer periods in school more attention is given to individual needs in class; with longer hours additional opportunities are given for further individual help and make up work during school hours. These mean less home lessons unless the extra time is spent in glee club, orches- tra or band. No home work is now required in grades seven and eight. Pupils in other grades will find it neces- sary to spend an hour or more a day at home depending upon their ability and their desire to obtain the highest standards necessary to meet the keen competition for entrance to most colleges. The new classrooms are ade-
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quately lighted and ventilated and equipped with new or refinished furniture. The appreciation of the pupils themselves of these fine modern facilities is evident in their keener interest in their work. The spirit of the teachers, too, is reflected in a new enthusiasm for their work. The whole atmosphere of the two schools indicates a finer quality of work being done at a somewhat less cost of operation.
The rooms in the new building vary in size, with some for classes of thirty-five, some for thirty and some for twenty-five. In a few cases the new equipment had not arrived at the opening of school which led to a little con- fusion until it came. It was a difficult problem to sud- denly adjust the twelve hundred pupils into their new rooms and into the class divisions desired. Within a very short time, however, the principals had a smoothly run- ning organization. Knowing the problems which arose, it will be much easier to adjust classes to the various facilities next year.
The building was built to accommodate a maximum of twelve hundred but is approved by the State Department of Public Safety for 1325 pupils. In September there were 1202 enrolled, but this number decreased 25 or more in the fall term. Next year and the following years there will be small decreases owing to the decrease in the ele- mentary grades. The ultimate enrollment will probably be between 1125 and 1175.
There are many problems of adjusting subject matter to the various abilities and interests of the pupils. For some a radical change in the type of work is desirable, such as could be offered in a trade or vocational school; for others it means a general academic training such as will give them a background for a variety of occupations involving no special skill; for others a commercial or business training; for others a strict preparation for college. The methods of approach and standards of ac- complishment must depend upon the mental abilities of the pupils. No pupil should be a failure who does the
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the best he can do. Each group must advance according to its ability. It involves reorganization of the studies with maximum and minium assignments. This problem of adjusting activities and studies to the ability and in- terest of each pupil is a serious one, but is being studied throughout the nation by the secondary schools. Should Plymouth establish a trade or vocational school there would be ideal facilities for the above program. Plym- outh has a group of teachers guided by capable principals keenly aware of the problem. During the ensuing year progress will be made in solving some of these intricate problems.
State Aided Vocational School
As explained in last year's report the establishment of a state aided vocational or trade school should be con- sidered by the citizens in the near future. Such a school will give valuable training in specific vocations to many students who do not profit from the strictly academic type. The initial cost of building and equipment would be borne by the town. Every item of expense of mainten- ance and operation would be divided equally between the town and state. Tuition charges for pupils from neigh- boring towns and a decrease in the cost of the high school due to the withdrawal of these pupils should largely off- set the town's share of the cost of operation. The estab- lishment of such a school should not increase to any great extent the total cost of operating all the schools.
Household Arts as State Aided Vocational Group
One ninth grade group of girls was organized to meet the state requirements for a state aided vocational house- hold arts course. This group must correlate its work with home activities. If continued through the following grades it should give girls a very practical training for home duties, restaurant or tea room service, and millin- ery. Parents should give serious consideration to the splendid training given. The state will reimburse the town for one half the cost of this class in household arts and its related fields of science and art.
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The Special and Elementary Schools
The clementary schools have been revising the work in the first and second grades according to the best of mod- ern practice. The results secured in the achievement tests indicate a high degree of accomplishment. Mrs. Mary L. Jackson, who has frequently won state recognition for her success in the Individual School, and the elementary principals are doing excellent work. The reports for their schools accompany this report.
Changes in Teachers
During the year several changes in teachers were made. After seventeen years of service at the Junior High School, Miss Gladys Cobb resigned in March. Mrs. Sara Sharkey substituted for the balance of the year. Miss Nancy Mellor, who graduated from Wellesley College with honors in English and with special preparation for teaching was appointed in October to fill this vacancy. Kenneth Walton, who had taught manual training very successfully for several years, resigned in June. He was succeeded by Hector Patenaude, a high ranking graduate of the Fitchburg State Teachers College. Miss Margaret Kenefick, who taught commercial studies at the high school, resigned to accept a position in Norwood, her home town. She was succeeded by Miss Anna Monagle. who graduated from the Salem State Teachers College with a high record.
By reorganization at the Hedge School one teacher was eliminated. Miss Helen Perrier was transferred to the Burton School to succeed Mrs. Ethel Phillips who re- signed. Miss Louise Tosi was transferred from the sub- primary at the Hedge School to the first grade at the Cornish School to succeed Miss Dora Anderson who re- signed to be married. Miss Esther Ward, a cadet teacher, was assigned to the sub-primary while Miss Mary E. Deans, a graduate of the four year course at the Bridge- water State Teachers College was appointed as a cadet teacher.
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The Knapp School teachers, pupils and school officials were shocked by the sudden death of Miss Lydia E. Holmes in February. Miss Holmes had given thirty- eight years of very efficient service. Her splendid Chris- tian characted and fine ideals have left a lasting imprint upon the lives of all who knew her.
Per Pupil Cost
On page 26 is given a comparison of costs per pupil for the various items in the school budget for the state and for Plymouth for the years ending June 30, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1936. In 1931 each item, except health and transportation showed a lower per pupil cost in Plymouth than in the state and still lower cost the suc- ceeding years. Health costs are higher because of the special local conditions whereby some of the expense of the dental clinic is paid by the School Department in- stead of by the Health Department. Transportation is higher because Plymouth is the largest town in the state territorially. In 1931, the total local cost per pupil was $100.81, while that of the state was $100.76. In 1936 the local cost dropped to $86.44, the state to $95.96 per pupil, a difference of $14.37 in the first case and only $4.94 in the latter. The state average decrease is there- fore only one third that of Plymouth.
On page 27 is shown the difference in the local budget and one based upon the state average cost per pupil for each item and the local number of pupils. Without transportation the cost per pupil in Plymouth for the year ending June 30, 1936 was $13.13 less than the state average. Without transportation, therefore, the local budget for 1936 would have been $32,825 higher if the state average per pupil was maintained.
From these figures it should be evident that the School Department has made every effort possible to reduce school costs to a minimum. Even with a restoration of salaries effective April first the budget would be much lower than formerly.
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COMPARISON OF SCHOOL COSTS, STATE AND LOCAL, YEAR ENDING JUNE 30 (PER PUPIL)
1931
1933
1934
1935
1936
Proposed Budget
GENERAL EXPENSES
State
$3.84
$3.53
$3.30
$3.32
$3.59
Plymouth
3.39
2.80
2.72
2.92
3.05
$3.16
TEACHER'S SALARIES
State
69.92
65.27
63.05
63.99
68.55
Plymouth
66.80
59.06
49.36+
58.67
58.61
62.06
BOOKS, SUPPLIES, MISC.
State
5.68
3.79
4.17
4.48
4.71
Plymouth
5.38
3.37
3.79
3.51
3.93
4.50
OPERATION
State
10.85
9.61
9.65
10.03
10.58
Plymouth
9.60
7.74
8.04
8.65
8.68
8.90
MAINTENANCE
State
5.08
3.12
3.06
3.45
3.43
Plymouth
4.72
3.00
4.22
1.91
2.91
3.53
HEALTH
State
1.64
1.46
1.46
1.46
1.54
Plymouth
2.84*
2.53*
2.35*
2.47*
2.57*
2.99
TUITION
State
1.03
1.10
1.05
.99
1.02
Plymouth
.48
.31
.31
.10
.54
.68
TRANSPORTATION
State
2.72
2.52
2.46
2.51
2.56
Plymouth
7.60
5.15
6.84
6.04
6.15
5.86
TOTAL
State
100.76
90.40
88.21
90.23
95.96
Plymouth
100.81
83.96
77.831
84.27
86.44
91.67
Average Membership
2492
2596
2567
2590
2498
2500
.
Note 1: 1 This decrease was due to the adoption of the twelve monthly payment plan of salaries which held back a part of the salary during the fall term.
Note 2: * Approximately $.90 per pupil is assumed by the School Department rather than by the Health Department as in many towns.
Note 3: From 1931 to 1936 the state decreased the pupil cost $4.80, Plymouth $14.37, a difference of $9.57 per pupil. This is approximately $24,000 in the school budget and about $1.10 in the tax rate.
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DIFFERENCE IN BUDGETS BASED ON LOCAL AND STATE COSTS PER PUPIL
State Plymouth
Difference Saving on Per Pupil 2500 Pupils
1. General Control
Office Expense
$3.59
$3.05
$ .54 decrease
$1,350
2. Salaries of Teachers,
Principals, Supervisors 68.55
58.61
9.94 decrease
24,850
3. Books, Supplies,
Miscellaneous
4.71
3.93
.78 decrease
1,950
4. Operation of plant,
janitors and fuel
10.58
8.68
1.90 decrease
4,750
5. Maintenance, repairs, etc.
3.43
2.91
.52 decrease
1,300
6. Promotion of health
1.54
2.57
1.03*increase
*2,575
inc.
7. Tuition
1.02
.54
.48 decrease
1,200
A. Cost without
transportation
93.42
80.29
13.13 decrease
32,825
8. Transportation
2.56
6.15
3.59 increase
8,975
inc.
B. Total cost with
transportation
95.98
86.44
9.54 decrease
23,850
Note 1: Approximately 90 cents per pupil under health is due to the fact that the School Department assumes some dental expense usually paid by the Health Department.
Note 2: The salaries of the teachers based on the number of teachers is very materially lower than the state average, due largely to the continued reduction of salaries.
Note 3: Transportation costs are of necessity heavier, as Plymouth is the largest town territorially in the state.
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Transportation
Plymouth is the largest town territorially in the state. It is natural that the costs are much higher than those of the state as a whole. With the elimination of the two sessions at the Senior High School a substantial reduc- tion will be made as indicated by the following figures.
Reduction in Long Pond and South Pond $3.00 per day. Reduction in Chiltonville and Russell Mills 2.00 per day.
Reduction in Manomet and Cedarville 2.75 per day.
Reduction in Darby (when there were 3th grade pupils) 1.75 per day.
Total
$9.50 per day.
During a school year this would amount to approx- imately $1,750. The amount of saving in the budget may never show this amount because of fluctuations in elemen- tary school transportation routes. Every year new prob- lems arise due to new locations of homes with children. Central Heating System at Cornish and Burton Schools
For the past three or more years the heating system at the Burton School has been especially unsatisfactory. The main source of heat are two old hot air furnaces, which have been in use for approximately forty years. At times gas fumes and smoke have been forced through cracks in the furnaces into the air ducts and thence into classrooms, an exceedingly unhealthy and disagreeable condition. Repairs to the furnaces have produced no lasting results. At the Cornish School the furnaces are over thirty years old and at times cause trouble. Con- ditions are somewhat better when hard coal is used, but are not satisfactory. However, hard coal costs six dol- lars a ton more than soft coal and materally increases the cost of heating.
A central heating plant with a revised modern heat- ing and ventilating system would cost between $14,000 and $15,000. Undoubtedly such a system with one large
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boiler and automatic stoker instead of seven furnaces would be maintained more economically and at the same time remove the present serious difficulties which menace the health of the children.
Purchase of Pope Property
As recommended in the past, the town should purchase the so-called Pope property, facing Union street and ex- tending back to the present school property. The addition of this one and one tenth acres would be of real value by increasing the present playground. The Lincoln Street playground should be raised by the addition of gravel, thus removing much of the present dampness and making it serviceable for most of the year. The grading of the Lincoln Street playground and the Pope property should be worked out in conjunction with the present grading around the building. Minor sports such as track, girls' hockey, soccer games, or other activities could well be established on this combined field. While there would be some expense to the town entailed in preparing it for sports, undoubtedly the major cost of labor would be borne by the Federal Government as a W. P. A. project.
W. P. A. Nutrition Project
During the past year the Board of Selectmen has ap- proved the continuance of the W. P. A. nutrition project started over a year ago. This project has provided 70 or more children with a very substantial hot lunch at the Cornish, Hedge and Mt. Pleasant Schools, under the direct supervision of Miss Helen Burgess, a trained die- titian. It has also been possible to give hot lunches for such bus children as desired it. It may be necessary for the School Department to assume some of the expense of Miss Burgess's salary as the project is not sufficiently large for the W. P. A. authorities to assume the full ex- pense of this supervision by a non-relief person.
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