Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1947, Part 4

Author: Dighton (Mass. : Town)
Publication date: 1947
Publisher: Dighton (Mass. : Town)
Number of Pages: 150


USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1947 > Part 4


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57.00


Cabin 1.00


Sausage 10.00


Common Victualler's 45.00


Auctioneers 2.00


Dance Permits 6.00


Advertising Costs


7.97


$2,011.15


73


ANNUAL REPORT


Town Clerk:


Dog Licenses


762.60


Court Fines


245.60


Sale of Town Car


650.00


Land Court Fee Returned


4.00


Dighton Electric Light District Adjustment


2.50


Tax Title Redemption Fees


5.00


Tax Title Redemption


23.57


Tax Possession Sale


1,500.00


Federal Withholding Tax


13,309.59


Bristol County Retirement Fund


309.96


U. S. Grants:


Aid to Dependent Children


704.01


Aid to Dependent


Children Ad-


ministration 51.78


Old Age Assist-


ance


11,780.13


Old Age Assist-


ance Adminis-


tration


618.73


Geo. Barden Fund


100.00


13,254.65


$396,262.27


Expenditures for 1947


Departmental:


General Government ---


Selectmen's Department:


Salaries


$1,762.13


Printing and


Postage


45.46


74


ANNUAL REPORT


Travel and


Expenses 23.73


Association


Dues


6.00


$1,837.32


Auditing Department:


Salary


500.04


Office Supplies 20.10


520.14


Treasury Department:


Salary


850.08


Printing, Station-


ery, Postage 65.00


Association Dues


1.00


916.08


Collector's Department:


Salary


1,050.00


Printing, Station-


ery, Postage


285.89


Surety Bond


110.25


Deputy Collec-


tor's Bond 5.00


Association Dues 1.00


Office Rental 75.00


Deputy Collector's Fees 11.00


Miscellaneous


Expenses 24.00


1,562.14


Assessor's Department: Salaries of


Assessors 1,799.88


Salary of Clerk 602.01 Transportation 99.25


75


ANNUAL REPORT


Printing, Station-


ery, Postage 113.94


New Office Lights 48.50


Association Dues 6.00 Miscellaneous


Expense


12.70


2,682.28


Town Clerk's Department:


Salary


433.22


Surety Bond, Ass't. Town Clerk 9.70


Printing, Station-


ery, Postage


88.13


Recording Fees


3.55


Association Dues


3.00


537.60


Election Department:


Registrars


530.00


Election Officers


72.00


602.00


Town Office Department: Insurance on Pub- lic Property 3,750.99


Telephone


44.21


Printing, Station-


ery, Postage


127.37


3,922.57


Other General Government: Printing Town Reports and Tax Lists 489.60 Advertising Costs 27.26 Salary Moderator 20.00


76


ANNUAL REPORT


Check Valve-


Water Dept. 187.75


Hydrant Connec- tion-Water Dept. 12.50


Legal Fees 225.10


Two Typewriters 261.64


Miscellaneous


Expense 19.55


Tree Warden,


Salary 35.00


1,278.40


Total General Government $13,858.53


Protection of Persons and Property:


Police Department:


Salary of Chief 499.92


Wages of Officers


371.00


Mileage


300.00


Telephone


87.20


Postage


9.95


Dog License


Notices


39.79


Supplies


8.50


Miscellaneous


Expenses 44.19


1,360.55


Police Department Special:


Wages


15,519.40


Fire Department:


Wages 1,294.75


Janitor


110.00


Supplies


123.95


Repairs


444.49


77


ANNUAL REPORT


Hose


1,049.18


Gasoline


120.23


Fuel


44.30


Light


12.00


Rent


182.50


Repairs, Fire


House


18.65


Telephone


123.94


Association Dues 3.00


Miscellaneous


Expense 19.00


3,545.99


Purchase of Land and Buildings, South Dighton Fire Department 2,500.00


Fire Department Special:


Wages


672.00


Gypsy Moth Department:


Wages


148.50


Materials 16.25


Spraying Cost 570.00


734.75


Total Protection of Persons and


Property $24,332.69


Health and Sanitation:


Mosquito Control:


State Reclamation Board


$125.00


Board of Health Department: Administration


Salaries $399.84


Nurses' Salary 1,206.24


Telephone


44.80


Ambulance, Repairs


and Supplies


111.64


78


ANNUAL REPORT


Hospital Care


73.50


Medicine and Medi- cal Attention 17.67


Clothing 31.18


Tuberculosis:


Board and


Treatment 972.00


Vital Statistics:


Births 185.25


Deaths


43.00


Marriages


41.00


Affidavits


11.00


Inspector of Milk 249.96


Inspector of Ani-


mals (2 yrs.) 350.00


Sealer of Weights & Measures


(2 yrs.) 200.00


Water Delivery 556.45


Playground Rental 35.00


Association Dues


and Magazine 7.00


Miscellaneous


Expense


13.44


4,548.97


Total Health and Sanitation


4,673.97


Highways and Bridges:


Superintendent Salary 240.00


Wages


1,474.37


Truck and Bull-


dozer Hire 40.00


Stone, Gravel,


etc.


295.01


79


ANNUAL REPORT


Equipment and


Repairs 145.98


Tree Warden 1946 35.00


Snow and Ice Removal 1,328.00


Traffic Lamps


36.00


3,594.36


Dighton-Berkley Bridge:


Wages 840.00


Electric Power 12.00


852.00


Street Department-Chapter 81:


Wages


5,202.67


Materials 5,189.83


Truck, Roller,


Tractor, etc.,


Hire


6,857.50


17,250.00


Street Department-Chapter 90:


Wages


551.46


Truck and Ma-


chinery Hire 327.50


Materials


621.04


1,500.00


Street Department-Chapter 90: Construction: Paid to Con-


tractor


23,040.90


Materials


179.02


Advertising Cost


for Bids ®


20.08


23,240.00


1


80


ANNUAL REPORT


Land Taking on Williams St .:


Legal Fees


57.66


Other Costs 10.00


67.66


Total Streets and Bridges


$46,504.02


Charities and Soldiers Benefits: Old Age Assistance:


Direct Aid $27,729.49


Outside Relief 215.70


$27,945.19


Old Age Administration:


Wages 255.00


Aid to Dependent Children:


Direct Aid


1,296.70


Soldiers' Relief:


Aid 962.70


Medical Attention


8.25


970.95


General Relief Administration:


Administration


Salaries 399.96


Social Worker 765.00


Clerk 1,172.14


Stationery and


Postage 122.61


Telephone 118.61


Mileage 14.28


2,592.60


Taunton Greyhound Association: Christmas Donation 510.00


Public Welfare Department: Groceries and


Provisions 62.46


Board and Care 644.53


81


ANNUAL REPORT


Medicine and Medical At- tendance


56.20


Rent


24.00


Office Supplies 8.07


Association Dues 5.00


Child Guardian-


ship 425.00


Cash Payments 1,488.28


Clothing


38.94


Outside Relief:


Various Cities 864.63


Various Towns 25.41


3,642.52


Total Charities and Soldiers' Benefits


$37,212.96


Schools and Libraries:


School Department:


For Classification, See


School Report


$108,713.90


School Water Supply:


Power


$215.70


Services 684.95


Supplies


34.74


935.39


U. S. Grants:


George Deen Funds: Salaries 40.00


Public Library:


Salary-


Librarian


450.00


82 ANNUAL REPORT


Salary ---


Librarian


Assistant


28.50


Janitor Service 180.00


Books and


Periodicals


435.83


Fuel


77.58


Light


20.95


Building Repairs 176.20


Janitor's Supplies


3.19


Stationery


19.10


Water


6.00


1,397.35


Library Oil Burner Acct .:


Cost of Oil Burner 290.00


Total, Schools and Libraries 111,376.64


Miscellaneous and Unclassified:


Gravel Bank Purchase 500.00


Town Cemetery Account: Wages 36.80


Memorial Day Observance:


Flowers


60.00


Flags


11.70


71.70


Land Purchase and Legal Costs


for New South School:


Surveying 18.00


Dighton Electric Light


District:


Tax Possession Sale


.


29.72


Total Miscellaneous


656.22


83


ANNUAL REPORT


Interest and Maturing Debt:


Interest:


High School


Bonds 600.00


High School


Notes


140.63


740.63


Bond and Note Payments:


High School


Bonds 4,000.00


High School


Notes


2,500.00


6,500.00


Total Interest and Maturing Debt


7,240.63


Tax Title Redemption Costs:


Fees and Costs 103.68


Agency, Trust and Refunds:


State:


State Taxes 2,750.00


State Parks 142.51


Auditing


Accounts


495.88 3,388.39


County:


County Tax 7,184.27


T.B. Hospital


Assessment 4,773.88


Dog Licenses


762.60


12,720.75


84


ANNUAL REPORT


1


Federal Taxes:


Withheld from Wages 12,990.13


Bristol Co. Retirement Fund: Withheld from Wages 232.09


Trust Funds:


Cemetery P.C.


Funds 274.00


Hon. Chas. S.


Chase Fund


20.10


294.10


Refunds:


Poll Tax 2.00


Real Estate Tax 96.25


Motor Vehicle


Excise Tax 27.69


Dighton Elec. Light


Dist. Tax 2.50


128.44


Total, Agency Trust and Refunds 29,753.90


Total Expenditures 275,713.24


Cash Balance, December 31, 1947 120,549.03


$396,262.27


Departmental Statement


General Government:


Appropriation $12,436.90


Transfer from


School Dept. 105.00


Reserve Account 1,400.00


Total 13,941.90


Expenditures 13,858.53


Balance $83.37


85


ANNUAL REPORT


Police Department:


Appropriation


1,350.00


Reserve Account 10.55


Total


1,360.55


Expenditures


1,360.55


Balance


None


Fire Department:


Appropriation


2,997.50


Reserve Account 548.49


Total


3,545.99


Expenditures


3,545.99


Balance


None


New Fire Truck Account:


Appropriation


100.00


Expenditures


None


Balance


100.00


Gypsy Moths:


Appropriation


750.00


Expenditures 734.75


Balance


15.25


Board of Health:


Appropriation 5,336.24


Expenditures 4,548.97


Balance


787.27


Mosquito Control:


Appropriation 125.00


Expenditures 125.00


Balance


None


Street Department:


Appropriation


3,100.00


86


ANNUAL REPORT


Reserve Account


500.00


Total


3,600.00


Expenditures 3,594.36


Balance


5.64


Street Dept .- Chapter 81 :


Appropriation 6,900.00


Due from State 10,350.00


Total 17,250.00


Expenditures 17,250.00


Balance


Street Dept .- Chapter 90:


Appropriation 500.00


Due from County 500.00


Due from State


500.00


Total 1,500.00


Expenditures 1,500.00


Balance


None


Dighton-Berkley Bridge:


Appropriation 900.00


Expenditures 852.00


Balance


48.00


Land Taking-Williams Street:


Appropriation 200.00


Expenditures 67.66


Balance 132.34


Welfare Department:


Appropriation 5,000.00


Expenditures


3,642.52


Balance 1,357.48


1


None


ANNUAL REPORT 87


Aid to Dependent Children:


Appropriation


1,000.00


U. S. Grant 803.33


Total 1,803.33


Expenditures 1,296.70


Balance in-


cluding U.S.


Grant


(506.63)


Balance,


Town Ap-


propriation 330.90


Old Age Assistance:


Appropriation 16,000.00


Reserve Account 165.06


U. S. Grant 11,780.13


Total


27,945.19


Expenditures 27,945.19


Balance


None


Soldiers' Relief:


Appropriation


700.00


Reserve Account 400.00


Total


1,100.00


Expenditures 970.95


Balance


129.05


General Relief Administration:


Appropriation 2,734.68


Expenditures 2,592.60


Balance 142.08


88


ANNUAL REPORT


World War 2:


Appropriation


100.00


Expenditures None


Balance 100.00


School Department:


Appropriation 108,242.40


Dog Fund 582.39


Total 108,824.79


Expenditures 108,818.90


Balance


5.89


School Water Supply:


Appropriation 1,000.00


Expenditures 935.39


Balance


64.61


Public Library:


Appropriation 1,400.00


Expenditures 1,397.35


Balance


2.65


Library Oil Burner Account:


Appropriation 350.00


Expenditures 290.00


Balance 60.00


Fees and Costs, Tax Title Redemptions:


Appropriation 200.00


Expenditures 103.68


Balance


96.32


Memorial Day:


Appropriation


100.00


Expenditures 71.70


Balance 28.30


89


ANNUAL REPORT


Land Purchase, Fire House Construction:


Appropriation 1.00


Expenditures None


Balance 1.00


Gravel Bank Purchase:


Appropriation


500.00


Expenditures


500.00


Balance


None


Purchase of Land and


Buildings for South Dighton Fire Department:


Appropriation


2,500.00


Expenditures


2,500.00


Balance


Interest-H. S. Bonds and Notes:


Appropriation


740.63


Expenditures


740.63


Balance


H. S. Bond Retirement:


Appropriation


4,000.00


Expenditures


4,000.00


Balance


H. S. Notes-Payment:


Appropriation


2,500.00


Expenditures


2,500.00


Balance


None


Reserve Account:


Appropriation 5,000.00


To General


Govt.


1,400.00


None


None


None


90


ANNUAL REPORT


To Street Dept. 500.00


To Fire Dept.


548.49


To Old Age


Assistance 165.06


To Police Dept.


10.55


To Soldiers'


Relief


400.00


Balance


1,975.90


Total Appropriation


Balances


5,466.05


Revenue Receipts over the Assessor's Estimate 8,560.57


To Surplus Revenue Account


for the Year 1947 14,026.62


I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that the reports contained herein are correct. All pay- ments to the Treasurer have been properly warranted, and all receipts have been recorded. The Tax Collector's report as published is correct. Abatements have been examined and were found to be in accordance with those granted by the Board of Assessors. The Tax Titles taken by the Collector are in order. Cash and Securities of the Trust Funds have been verified, all income accounted for, and all payments warranted.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY Auditor.


TOWN OF DIGHTON BALANCE SHEET DECEMBER 31, 1947 GENERAL ACCOUNTS


Assets


Liabilities and Reserves


Cash


$120,549.03


Liabilities:


Accounts Receivable:


State Taxes and Assessments


$52.65


1946 Real Estate Taxes


$903.34


County Taxes


4,274.78


1946 Personal Taxes


3.81


U. S. Grants:


A.D.C. Administration $131.24


Old Age Administration 494.86


Aid to Dependent Children


175.73


George Deen Funds


2.04


1947 Motor Vehicle Taxes


469.89


Tax Possesions


1,156.16


903.87


Tax Titles


421.98


Chapter 90-Construction


875.32


Departmental:


High School Construction


Public Welfare


60.00


Chapter 44-Sec. 20


1,754.75


Old Age Assistance


437.77


Town Cemetery Account


17.00


Aid to Dependent Children


111.47


Tax Possession Revenue


1,156.16


School Department


6,308.47


Sale of Real Estate Fund Witherell Bequest Fund


333.05


Dighton-Berkley Bridge


3.60


Fire Department


37.50


6,958.81


and Install Equipment Land Purchase for New Elemen- tary School 3,382.00


2,440.86


Remodel and Repair Fire House


9,500.00


1947 Real Estate Taxes


6,282.37


1947 Personal Taxes


790.88


7,980.40


George Barden Funds


100.00


Highway Revenue Cemetery P. C. Fund 1948 Revenue


11,350.00


12.30


300.00


Expenses of New Elementary


School Planning Committee 300.00


Withholding Tax-December, 1947


1,253.10


County Retirement Fund- December, 1947


77.87


Reserves:


Overlay, Reserved for Abate- ment of Taxes:


Levy of 1946


605.96


Levy of 1947


1,801.76


Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus


16,204.41


Revenue Reserved until Collected


Motor Vehicle Excise Tax


Revenue


469.89


Tax Title Revenue


421.98


Departmental


6,958.81


Excess and Deficiency : Surplus Revenue


7,850.68


96,414.35


$149,198.57


$149,198.57


2,407.72


DEBT ACCOUNTS


Net Funded Debt


$30,000.00 High School Construction Bonds High School Addition Notes


$20,000.00 10,000.00


$30,000.00


$30,000.00


TRUST ACCOUNTS


Trust Funds, Cash and Securities


$13,989.49 Cemetery P. C. Funds


$7,944.45


Joshua Bliss Cemetery Fund


5,035.04


Hon. Charles S. Chase Fund


1,010.00


$13,989.49


$13.989.49


94


ANNUAL REPORT


JURORS DRAWN DURING 1947


January 8-


Victor Repoza, School Lane, Mill Worker


Joseph Corey, Sr., Tremont St., Textile Worker


Lester Ball, Main St., Bank Teller


February 5-


Elliot W. Hathaway, Centre St., Farmer


February 18-


Jule A. Ludovicz, Wellington St., Sheet Metal Worker


March 10-


E. Austin Wheeler, Walker St., Steam Fitter


April 2-


Paul S. Horton, Williams St., Carpenter


April 9-


Ernest H. Atwood, Somerset Ave., Millwright May 7-


John P. Pacheco, Middle St., Truck Driver August 6-


Richard DeMello, Elm St., Electrician


Edward O'Connell, Summer St., Truck Foreman October 9-


Burton F. Simmons, Main St., Watchman November 6-


Russell M. Conn, Summer St., Textile Machine Operator


December 11-


Randall W. Hopkins, Somerset Ave., Nursery Man Harry F. Willis, Forest St., Maintenance Man


December 18-


Harold M. Mendoza, Main St., Mill Operator


95


ANNUAL REPORT


Report of the Board of Public Welfare


To the Citizens of Dighton:


The Welfare Appropriations for the year 1947 was $5,000 and expenditures amounted to $3,642.52, leav- ing a balance of $1,357.48. Expenditures were $326.71 greater than 1946, which was due to increase in persons aided. During the year, 7 cases, representing 12 persons participated in Temporary Aid, and in addition, out-of- town residents, whose legal settlement is in this town, for whom Dighton is financially responsible.


Old Age Assistance granted aid to 55 cases. The Town Appropriation was $16,000 plus $165.06 trans- ferred from Reserve Account, and U. S. Grants in the amount of $11,780.13, making total available funds in the amount of $27,945.19. There was no balance in this account. Total expenditures were $1,736.69 in excess of 1946. Although there has been only a slight variation in case load for this category of relief, it is observed that greater expense involved is attributed to the many cases receiving medical and convalescent care. Budgets were increased in accordance with the revised State Standards, effective as of September 1st, which increased expenditures by $433.20.


In the Aid to Dependent Children category, 3 cases representing 8 dependent children received relief. The Town Appropriation was $1,000 and U. S. Grants amounted to $803.33. Total expenditures were $1,296 .- 70 leaving balance in U. S. Grant in the amount of $506.63 and town balance of $330.90. Expenditures


96


ANNUAL REPORT


were $490.90 greater than the year 1946, due to increase in number of children participating in aid.


Our Social Worker, Mrs. Bella M. Boucher, who handles all categories of relief and assistance, now re- sides on Pleasant Street, Dighton and may be reached by Telephone at Dighton 2731.


Assistance and courtesies extended by the State De- partment are gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.


CLAYTON H. ATWOOD JOHN BOLGER GEORGE V. TINKHAM


ANNUAL REPORT 97


ACCOUNT OF AUDIT


Mr. Francis X. Lang


Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston


Sir:


As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Dighton for the period from September 8, 1946, the date of the previous exami- nation, to November 30, 1947, the following report being submitted thereon:


The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collections, were ex- amined and checked for the period of the audit.


The books and accounts kept by the town auditor were examined and checked in detail. The general and appropriation accounts were analyzed and proved. The recorded receipts were compared with the treasurers' cash book and with the treasury warrants. The appro- priations as shown on the ledgers were checked with the town clerk's records of town meetings the necessary ad- justing entries resulting from the audit were made, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on November 30, 1947. An examination of this balance sheet shows that the town is in very good financial condi- tion.


7


98


ANNUAL REPORT


The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The cash book was footed and the recorded receipts were analyzed and checked with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds. The cash balance on November 30, 1947 was proved by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.


The recorded payments on account of maturing debt and interest were checked with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities on file.


The savings bank books representing the investment of the trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed, the income was proved, and all recorded transactions were verified.


The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and checked. The amounts transferred to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records, the recorded redemptions were verified, and the tax titles on hand were listed and reconciled with the auditor's ledger.


The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked. The town and district taxes and motor vehicle and trailer excises outstanding according to the previous examination were audited and all subse- quent commitments were proved. The cash books were footed and the reported collections were compared with the payments to the town and district treasurers. The abatements, as recorded, were checked to the assessors'


99


ANNUAL REPORT


record of abatements granted, and the outstanding ac- counts were listed and proved.


The records of departmental accounts receivable were examined. The charges were analyzed, the pay- ments to the treasurer were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.


The outstanding tax, excise, and departmental ac- counts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town and the districts, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are cor- rect.


The financial accounts of the town clerk were examined for dog and sporting licenses issued, the report- ed payments to the town and the State being verified.


The surety bonds of the town officials required by law to file them were examined and found to be in proper form.


The records of the sealer of weights and measures and the library department, as well as of all other depart- ments collecting money for the town, were reconciled with the treasurer's and the auditor's books.


There are appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and collector's cash, summaries of the tax, excise, tax title, and departmental accounts, together with tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust funds.


100


ANNUAL REPORT


During the progress of the audit cooperation was extended by the various town officials, for which I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express . appreciation.


Respectfully submitted, HERMAN B. DINE


Assistant Director of Accounts.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


OF THE TOWN OF


DIGHTON


Year Ending December 31, 1947


ANNUAL REPORT 3


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Term Expires


G. Russell Horton, Chairman North Dighton


1948


Mrs. Jessie Christenson, Secretary Dighton


1950


Leland F. Bullard, Financial Secretary 1948


Segreganset Harold O. Woodward


1949


Segreganset


Gene Perry


1949


Dighton


Charles Swartz North Dighton


1950


Superintendent John J. Rolfe, B.Ed., M. Ed. Residence: 117 School Street, North Dighton Office: Dighton High School, Segreganset Telephone: Dighton 3361 (Office) Taunton 2435 (Home)


Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.


Secretary Marjorie A. Travis


School Physician C. M. Souza, M.D.


School Nurse Esther Bowden, R.N.


Attendance Supervisor Howell S. Carr


4


ANNUAL REPORT


GENERAL INFORMATION


Entrance Age


First grade registration in September of any year will be limited to those children who are at least six years of age or who will become six years of age on or before the following January 1. There will be no exceptions made to this ruling.


Birth Certificates


Presentation of a birth certificate is required for entrance to the first grade.


Vaccination


Every child who enters school for the first time must present a certificate of vaccination or a statement from his physician that vaccination is inadvisable.


NO SCHOOL INFORMATION


Elementary Schools


Whenever it seems advisable to close the elemen- tary schools the notice will be broadcast over Radio Sta- tion WEAN at 7:05 A.M. and at 8:20 A.M. and over Radio Station WBZ at 7:05 A.M., 7:30 A.M., and at 8:30 A.M. In addition in North Dighton the street lights will be turned on from 7:45 to 8 A.M. In South Dighton three blasts on the Anchor Color and Gum Works whistle will be sounded at 7:45 A.M.


High School


Whenever the school buses can be safely operated there will be school at Dighton High School unless unfore- seen emergencies make it necessary to close. In the


5


ANNUAL REPORT


event of closing the information will be specifically an- nounced over the radio as indicated above for the ele- mentary schools.


Transportation


The law requires that transportation be provided for pupils residing more than two miles from the school attended or more than one mile from the nearest bus stop. Many pupils living at lesser distances along estab- lished routes are transported if the seating capacity of the bus will permit. From time to time it is necessary to refuse transportation to some of those living under the required distance when our buses are filled to capacity with children living at a greater distance.


Report of the Superintendent of Schools


To the Citizens of the Town of Dighton:


Herewith is submitted my fifth annual report as Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Dighton. The increase in the cost of printing makes it necessary to limit this report to the most pertinent information regard- ing our schools. Further details will be gladly furnished by the school office to any who might be interested.


Transportation


From time to time requests are received for the furnishing of transportation to children who live less than a mile from our established bus lines. Because our buses are already operating on a full schedule, the granting of these reqeusts would necessitate paying for one or more additional buses, thereby adding considerably to our transportation expense. Most of the requests come from parents who live on roads that are not suitable for bus travel.


6


ANNUAL REPORT


Three bids for transportation of school children for the three year period beginning in September, 1948 were received by the School Committee in December. The contract was awarded to Mr. Carl Gorden at a bid of $7,920 per year, an amount seventy dollars per year higher than the lowest bidder. Three new buses will be provided when school commences in September.


Educational Costs


The net operating cost of Dighton Schools has in- creased from $50,031.78 in 1940 to $75,284.51 in 1947 or 50.47%. Advances in salaries account for the bulk of the budget increases. Although the cost of all ser- vices, equipment, supplies, books, fuel, repairs, etc. have advanced it is interesting to note that most changes occur in items that are largely beyond our control. For some items we are allowing no more in our budget than was spent seven years ago even though costs have risen appreciably.


The average salary paid in Dighton to classroom teachers is less than the median paid in towns under 5,000 population with high schools. This situation re- sults in a larger than normal turnover and the towns- people must expect it as long as we employ efficient teachers. If we wish a relatively small change in teacher personnel we must do one of two things; raise salaries or hire teachers other communities don't want. If the town cannot pay salaries in competition with many other com- munities it will be much better to employ good teachers with the expectation of losing them after two or three years than to load up our system with incompetents. Fortunately other factors than salary help us keep many of our better instructors here. Just as long as we can keep teacher employment strictly on an impartial, un- emotional, efficiency, non-political basis, we shall be




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