USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1952 > Part 4
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161,081.00
Trans. Elementary Cafeteria 500.00
160,581.00
Expenditures
160,580.25
Balance .75
U. S. Grant: Smith-Hughes Fund:
1-1-52 Balance 248.70
Expenditures 239.56
Balance-U. S. Grant
9.14
School Water Supply:
Appropriation
200.00
Trans. to General Gov't
100.82
99.18
Expenditures
99.18
Balance
none
Elementary School Milk Account:
1-1-52 Balance
127.02
Receipts
1,126.49
1,253.51
Expenditures
1,253.51
Balance
none
ANNUAL REPORT 97
Elementary School Cafeteria:
Appropriation
500.00
Receipts
7,856.34
8,356.34
Expenditures
6,890.28
Balance
1,466.06
High School Cafeteria:
1-1-52 Balance
40.24
Receipts
12,459.95
12,500.19
Expenditures
12,466.16
Balance
34.03
High School Athletic Fund:
1-1-52 Balance
486.11
Receipts
1,813.17
Appropriation
1,000.00
3,299.28
Expenditures
2,931.69
Balance 367.59
Elementary School Building Construction:
1-1-52 Balance
354,147.02
From Excess & Deficiency 10,000.00
364,147.02
Expenditures
361,035.52
Balance 3,111.50
7
98
ANNUAL REPORT
Elementary School Site:
1-1-52 Balance 90.66
Trans. to General Gov't 90.66
Balance
none
Public Library:
Appropriation
1,600.00
From Dog Fund 524.17
From Reserve Acct .- Appr.
19.94
2,144.11
Expenditures
2,144.11
Balance
none
Civil Defense:
1-1-52 Balance 513.84
Expenditures 392.93
Balance 120.91
County Retirement Assessment:
Appropriation
903.73
Expenditures
903.73
Balance
none
Memorial Day Observance:
Appropriation
125.00
Expenditures
113.65
Balance 11.35
99
ANNUAL REPORT
Land Taking Costs:
1-1-52 Balance Expenditures
200.00
none
Balance 200.00
Tax Title Redemption Cost:
Appropriation
200.00
Expenditures
13.11
Balance 186.89
Town Cemetery Account:
1-1-52 Balance
51.40
Expenditures
none
Balance 51.40
Federal Withholding Tax:
Withheld from Wages
21,467.90
·. · Expenditures 19,695.85
Balance 1,772.05
County Retirement Tax:
Withheld from Wages
1,701.53
Expenditures 1,510.83
Balance 190.70
Interest on School Bonds:
1-1-52 Balance of Premium on Elementary School Loan 737:90 :
100
ANNUAL £ REPORT
Appropriation
9,702.10
10,440.00
Expenditures
10,440.00
Balance
none
School Bond Retirement:
Appropriation
29,000.00
Expenditures
29,000.00
Balance
none
Cemetery Bequests:
Receipts
100.00
Expenditures
100.00
Balance
none
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund:
Receipts
131.68
Expenditures
131.68
Balance
none
Charles S. Chase Trust Fund:
Receipts
21.36
Expenditures
21.36
Balance
none
Dog Licenses:
Receipts
771.00
Expenditures
771.00
Balance
none
101
ANNUAL . REPORT
Reserve Account Appropriated:
From Excess & Deficiency 5,000.00
To: School Dept. 2,700.00
Care Town Elms 221.00
General Gov't 1,000.00
Fire Dept. 320.00
Board of Health 95.71
D-B Bridge 29.75
Veterans' Benefits 154.00
Public Welfare 106.08
Public Library 19.94
4,646.48
Balance 353.52
Total Appropriation Balances $1,696.07
Revenue Receipts over Assessors' Estimates 26,159.55
Surplus Revenue to Excess & Deficiency Account for 1952 $27,855.62
I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that the reports contained herein are correct. The cash balances of all officers intrusted with the receipt, cus- tody or expenditure of money have been verified and all such books and accounts are in order. The Tax Col- lector's report as published is correct. All payments to the Treasurer have been properly warranted, and all re- ceipts have been recorded. Cash and Securities of the Trust Funds have been verified, all income accounted for, and all payments warranted.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH D. LEEMING,
Town Auditor
Town of Dighton
BALANCE SHEET GENERAL ACCOUNTS
December 31, 1952
ASSETS
LIABILITIES and RESERVES
Cash
$133,017.67
LIABILITIES:
Accounts Receivable:
U. S. Grants:
Taxes: 1951 Personal Property $127.67
1951 Real Estate
1,314.27
1952 Poll
6.00
1952 Personal Property
645.03
1952 Real Estate
5,854.09
Disability Assistance 349.30
7,947.06
Old Age Assistance 312.22
Smith-Hughes Fund 9.14
$1,867.49
Elementary School Building Construction
3,111.50
Road Machinery Fund
6,183.63
Civil Defense
120.91
Town Cemetery Account
51.40
Tax Title Redemption Account
186.89
Elementary School Cafeteria
1,466.06
Board of Health
30.00
Disability Assistance
21.62
High School Athletics
367.59
Disability Assistance Adm.
18.76
Withholding Tax-December, 1952
1,772.05
Dighton-Berkley Bridge
3.60
County Retirement Fund-December, 1952 Tailings
184.80
Street
186.40
Treasurer's Unidentified Receipts
100.61
Old Age Assistance
284.95
Veterans' Benefits
150.00
Public Welfare
784.76
1952 Revenue: Reserved 1953 Taxes: County Taxes and Assessment 1,079.30 T.B. Hospital Assessment 274.72
9,578.68
1,354.02
Tax Possessions
627.11
Tax Titles
1,848.67
Departmental:
Aid to Dependent Children
686.50
High School Cafeteria
34.03
190.70
School
7,412.09
Aid to Dependent Children ADM $288.56
Disability Assistance ADM 161.86
Old Age Assistance ADM 486.31
Aid to Dependent. Children 260.10
1950 Motor Vehicle Excise 51.34
1951 Motor Vehicle Excise 144.13
1952 Motor Vehicle Excise 3,247.60
3,443.07
Aid to Highways: Chapter 81-State 7,509.64 Chapter 90 Maintenance-State 500.00 Chapter 90 Maintenance-County 500.00
8,509.64
RESERVES:
Overlay, Reserved for Abatement of 1951 Taxes 1,185.81 Overlay, Reserved for Abatement of 1952 Taxes 4,369.57
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus
5,555.38 6,567.44
:
Revenue Reserved until collected: Departmental 9,578.68
Aid to Highways 8,509.64
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
3,443.07
Tax Title 627.11
Tax Possession 1,848.67
24,007.17
1952 Revenue: State Taxes and Assesments
107.31
EXCESS and DEFICIENCY- Surplus Revenue
111,957.54
$165,079.21
$165,079.21
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded Debt
$445,000.00 Elementary School Bonds $445,000.00
Trust Funds: Cash and Securities
TRUST ACCOUNTS Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds $8,603.99 Joshua Bliss Cemetery Fund $14,860.16 Charles S. Chase Trust Fund 1,011.25
5,244.92
$14,860.16
DIGHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS Opened for Sessions September 9, 1952
Dedicated November 16, 1952
105
ANNUAL REPORT
DIGHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The work of the Dighton Elementary School Building Committee has been completed. A modern, fireproof, well-lighted, properly ventilated and heated eighteen room building stands in a landscaped setting in Segreganset with spacious playground provisions both for the younger children and the older children and with a fully equipped cafeteria, and combination auditorium- gymnasium.
This new building provides educational facilities for all of the children of the town, grades one through eight. Each classroom has approximately 804 square feet of floor area and is provided with fluorescent lights, cloth- ing wardrobe, storage cabinets, and running water. The ceilings are soundproofed. Each room is furnished with an electric time clock and two-way intercommunication system for immediate contact between the teacher and the principal.
The principal has a reception room, inner office, and a fireproof archives room for records. The school nurse has a completely equipped room for sanitation and health supervision requirements. Special teachers rooms have been provided both for the men and women teach- ers of the building. There is a central foyer from which each corridor leads with two storage rooms and a library at the beginning of the longer corridor. Separate toilet facilities have been provided for younger and older chil- dren, both for boys and girls. There are two janitors' supplies closets and a compact furnace room equipped with two low-grade oil burning furnaces, one of which will heat the building except in most extreme weather. A separate paper incinerator and hot-water heater are
106
ANNUAL REPORT
also provided as is a gas-driven auxiliary lighting system in event of electricity failure.
The building was dedicated on Sunday, November 16, 1952, at three o'clock with Dr. Raymond A. Fitz- gerald representing the State Department.of Education and with Dr. John E. Marshall, administrator of the State School Building Assistance Commission making the main address.
Respectively submitted,
JAMES K. ALLEN, Chairman HELEN H. LANE, Financial Secretary WALTER H. CANDALET, Secretary THEODORE LADD
RICHARD DE MELLO
ELEANOR S. SMITH LAWRENCE MENDOZA
ALAN BRIGGS JOHN ROLFE, Education Adviser
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF
DIGHTON
Year Ending December 31, 1952
108
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires
Wyman E. Hawkes, Chairman Segreganset
1955
Mrs. Catherine C. Carr, Secretary
1955
Briggs Street, North Dighton
Peter R. Tuttle, Financial Secretary Williams Street, North Dighton
1954
Anthony Andrews 1953
Somerset Avenue, North Dighton
Herbert Holt 1953
22 Andrews Street, North Dighton
Lawrence Mendoza
1954
Elm Street, Dighton
Superintendent John J. Rolfe, B.Ed., M.Ed.
Residence: 117 School Street, North Dighton
Office: Dighton High School, Segreganset
Telephone: Dighton 3361 (Office) Taunton 2-0698 (Home)
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 A. M. - 9:30 A. M. and by appointment.
Secretary Gladys P. Babbitt
School Physician Charles M. Souza, M.D.
School Nurse Esther Bowden, R.N.
Attendance Supervisor Howell S. Carr
109
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 School
Whenever it seem advisable to close the elemen- tary school the notice will be broadcast over Radio Sta- tion WPEP, Taunton, and over Radio Station WSAR, Fall River.
High School
Whenever the school buses can be safely operated there will be school at Dighton High School unless un- foreseen emergencies make it necessary to close. In the
110
ANNUAL REPORT
event of closing, the information will be specifically an- nounced over the radio as indicated above for the ele- mentary school.
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.
111
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Calendar Year 1953
Dighton High School
School opens closes
January 5, 1953
February 20, 1953
School opens
March 2, 1953 April 17, 1953
closes
April 27, 1953
School opens closes School opens closes
June 19, 1953
September 9, 1953
December 23, 1953
Elementary School
School opens
January 5, 1953
closes
February 20, 1953
School opens
March 2, 1953
closes
April 17, 1953
School opens
April 27, 1953
closes
June 12, 1953
School opens closes
September
9,. 1953
December 23, 1953
School will close on the following days:
April 3 - Good Friday
October 12 - Columbus Day
October 30 - Teachers' Convention
November 11 -- Armistice Day
November 26 and 27 - Thanksgiving Recess
112
ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Receipts
Appropriation
$157,781.00
Additional appropriations:
Transportation
2,000.00
Repairs
700.00
$160,481.00
Expenditures
General Control
$7,376.73
Transportation
11,463.40
Teachers' Salaries
106,856.12
Books
2,268.22
Supplies
2,440.42
Janitors' Supplies
12,407.23
Fuel
3,103.83
Electricity
1,743.64
Gas
139.67
Janitors' Salaries
12,407.23
Miscellaneous
1,660.15
Boiler Repairs
13.39
Repairs
2,652.63
Health
2,490.52
New Equipment
1,383.49
Library
342.13
Staff Expenses
96.25
Tuition
75.00
Vocational Education:
General Shop-Day
589.41
Household Arts-Day
55.25
113
ANNUAL REPORT
Dental Fund
919.00
Trans. to High School Athletic Acct.
1,000.00
Trans. to Dighton Elem. Cafeteria Acct.
500.00
Balance
.75
$160,481.00
NET COST TO TOWN
Expenditures, 1952
$160,480.25
Receipts, 1952:
Chapter 70, General State Aid
$30,722.84
Reimbursement, Super-
intendent's Salary
and Travel
2,426.66
Reimbursement, Vocational
Education
6,254.80
Tuition:
Berkley
7,166.15
Freetown
9,000.00
Rehoboth
4,667.20
Lakeville
60.00
Miscellaneous Tuition
435.80
Miscellaneous Receipts
390.90
Transportation
6,555.04
Dental Clinic Income
445.00
Total Receipts, 1952
68,124.39
Net Cost to Town
$92,355.86
8
114
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Citizens of Dighton:
I herewith submit my tenth annual report as Super- intendent of the Schools of Dighton. Incorporated here- in is the report of the School Committee. For further information relating to our schools, I refer you to the reports of the school nurse, the music supervisor, the elementary school principal, and the high school prin- cipal.
Financial
The budget for the Dighton Public Schools as being submitted for 1953 in the amount of $179,758.00 is $19,277.25 in excess of the 1952 expenditures of $160,- 480.25. However, an increase in income reduces the net increase to $11,369.02. This change in the gross budget is largely due to teacher salary adjustments, ad- ditional transportation costs, additional teachers, and added expenses for operating the new elementary school as compared with operation of the old buildings.
In December the School Committee adopted a new salary schedule which provides for a higher minimum and a higher maximum. This new schedule does not become fully effective until September of 1954. In 1954 we must increase our expenditures approximately $7,000.00 for the teacher salary item alone.
115
ANNUAL REPORT
Our new schedule is as follows:
Years of Experience
(Non-Bachelor's
Degree)
Group I
(Bachelor's
Degree)
Group II
(Master's
Degree)
Group III.
Period
0
2600.00
2800.00
3000.00
Initial Year
1
2700.00
2900.00
3100.00
A
2
2800.00
3000.00
3200.00
A
3
2900.00
3100.00
3300.00
B
4
3050.00
3250.00
3450.00
B
5
3200.00
3400.00
3600.00
C
6
3350.00
3550.00
3750.00
C
7
3500.00
3700.00
3900.00
D
3600.00
3800.00
4000.00
D
The above schedule provides for an increase in the minimum of $200, annual increments of $100 for each of the first three years of experience, and $150 per year for each year thereafter until the maximum is reached. The maximum is $600 higher than provided for in our former schedule.
A teacher receives an automatic increase of $100 for 15 semester. hour credits beyond her degree. Ac- cording to this schedule a teacher may attain a salary of $4100 if she has 15 credits beyond a Master's De-
116
ANNUAL REPORT
gree. Additional amounts are paid to coaches, princi- pals, and supervisors.
Personnel
During the past year we have had six changes of faculty members out of our total of thirty-four. One of these received a leave of absence to continue his edu- cation, one entered the armed service, two are teaching in their home areas, and two left for professional ad- vancement. Several of these positions were very diffi- cult to fill, partly because of salary inadequacies, and partly because of an acute shortage of teachers in cer- tain fields. We feel certain that our new salary schedule· will enable us to be in a better position in filling future vacancies.
After carefully considering the problem of selec- tion of an elementary school principal for several months, the School Committee chose Mr. Oliver Collard of Wellfleet for the position. Mr. Collard received his Bachelor's and his Master's Degrees from Fitchburg Teacher's College and has had experience teaching all grade levels from the first through the high school. In addition to his teaching and coaching experiences he has done considerable work in guidance and has held principalships in West Brookfield, Mass., Jacksonville, Vermont, and Wellfleet, Mass.
Miss Rose Borges was elected as vice principal.
Mr. Louis Carr, formerly a custodian at the Dighton High School, and Mr. John Gray who was custodian at the South School were chosen from a number of appli- cants to continue this type of position at the new ele- mentary school. Both employees resigned in December
117
ANNUAL REPORT
and were replaced by Mr. John Pilling of Center Street as head custodian and Mr. Manuel Mello of Center Street as assistant. In July, Mr. Charles Leonard commenced his custodial duties at Dighton High School.
From a list of twenty-three Dighton applicants for the cafeteria positions at the elementary school, the Committee elected Mrs. Alfrena Bettencourt as manager and Mrs. Grace French and Mrs. Wilhelmina Torres as assistants.
The Committee hoped to be able to postpone the selection of secretarial help for Mr. Collard until Sep- tember, 1953, but found that so much of the principal's time was spent on secretarial details that immediate pro- vision for assistance was necessary. Mrs. Hannah Las- sen was elected to commence her duties in January, 1953.
By making certain adjustments in the high school and by adding one instructor we are able to offer the services of our household arts teacher, and both our phy- sical education teachers to the elementary program. Even though the physical education part of the program was curtailed during the Fall months because of in- complete grounds and shortages of equipment, the new offerings were most enthusiastically received. The work of these three instructors is now confined to their major fields of preparation.
Elementary School
In the town report of last year a thorough descrip- tion of our new school was given and needs no repetition here. However, as a matter of record, I feel that due credit should be given to the Building Committee for
118
ANNUAL REPORT
the splendid work that was done, not only in the plan- ning of the building itself, but also in the selection of equipment and in the landscaping of the grounds. The Committee made every effort to spend each dollar wise- ly and well, consistent with the fulfillment of the great- est needs of the pupils. At times, final decisions were delayed for long periods until the members felt sure of the necessity of the item, its quality, and its value. In making its decisions the Committee had in mind the fact that the purchase of inferior equipment is as un- sound as planning for inferior construction.
Because of the lack of funds several projects could not be taken care of but they are of such nature that the school program is not seriously affected and can be taken care of in the future. Several pianos need to be reconditioned, some playground equipment is desirable, the removal of an area of large stones and ledge would provide more playground space, certain miscellaneous items of equipment will be needed, and our stage light- ing can be improved upon. Our basic needs have been more than adequately met.
Enrollment
The withdrawal of Rehoboth students has decreased the high school enrollment from 308 last year to 272 at the present time. This number will increase gradually as larger classes are graduated from the grammar schools in Dighton, Berkley and Freetown. This year we shall have the smallest Dighton Elementary graduating class in many years but hereafter the number will increase considerably. An enrollment of more than 300 at the High School is highly undesirable.
Our present number of 470 in the elementary school is likely to increase beyond the 500 mark next Septem-
119
ANNUAL REPORT
ber. Last September certain adjustments had to be made in our first and second grades to avoid overcrowding and the School Committee is planning to use our eighteenth room for an extra second grade next year. Our problem will be settled for the time being unless we have an extra large first grade. A total of 500 pupils will give an av- erage of 28 per grade. This number is five below the State average, but we must bear in mind that in all prob- ability there will be certain grades that will have more pupils than we would like to have enrolled. By utilizing all eighteen rooms there will be two rooms for each grade next year with an additional room for the second grade and for the fifth grade.
Repairs
With few exceptions the repairs and maintenance at Dighton High School are taken care of by the custodi- ans as a regular part of their work.
The following work was accomplished.
1. Periodic scrubbing, sealing and waxing of all floors.
2. Installation of 28 fluorescent lights taken from old schools.
3. Resurfacing of front drive and north drive - outside contract.
4. Seeding, fertilizing, and rolling of football field.
5. Installation of water-contract.
6. Painting of walls and ceilings of first and sec- ond floor corridors and walls.
7. Painting of stair wells, town clerk's office, and assessors' office.
120
ANNUAL REPORT
8. Painting of vocational shop.
9. Overhaul of door checks and lawn mower.
10. Installation of two Frigidaire bubblers on stair landings. (Gifts of Class of 1952 and Class of 1953.)
11. Trimming and care of shrubbery and trees.
12. Construction of stage platform for gradu- ation.
Because of the type of construction at the high school the problem of repair and maintenance is a con- tinuing and expensive one. By having custodians who are capable of doing the major portion of this work the Town saves considerable money each year.
Vocational
Our vocational department continues to be a valu- able part of our high school both in offering the type of education that meets the needs of some who otherwise would leave school, and in providing the work experi- ences that enable the students to get jobs. Thirteen of the twenty-seven boys who graduated from Dighton High School last year were from the Vocational Department. Through the efforts of our vocational instructors all thirteen were placed in jobs where the work was related to their shop experiences. Their starting wages ranged from $35.00 to $72.00 per week. These boys were placed in such concerns as Bristol Jewelry, Brown and Sharpe, Fentin Motors, MacAdam Motors, Dias Motor Sales, Smith Studebaker, and Spencer Thermostat.
We have at least reached the point in this depart- ment where we are as well equipped as one can reason-
121
ANNUAL REPORT
ably expect but we must continue to plan certain yearly additions and replacements as obsolescence and wear makes such action advisable. During this year, through the cooperation of the State Department of Vocational Education we were able to replace our obsolete miller with a Brown and Sharpe hand production machine. The old lathe was replaced by a South Ben 13" swing lathe. Both of these machines, which are very usable, even though they are second hand, were set up and put into operable condition by Mr. Day.
The 8 K.W. power plant that was procured four years ago from war surplus for the nominal sum of $20.00 was made automatic by the auto shop students and moved to the new school. The Town saved approxi- mately $2,000.00. Many items of equipment were pur- chased during this year from war surplus for use in the shops as well as in other departments of the schools.
It seems desirable to point out at this time that in order to encourage vocational education the Common- wealth of Massachusetts reimburses this program very heavily. In addition to tuitions received from other towns for vocational students, Dighton received more than six thousand dollars from the State for this purpose last year. There is a reimbursement of fifty per cent. for salaries, janitor service, heat, light, power, materials used in instruction, replacement of tools and other equip- ment, books, supplies, repairs, transportation, and up- keep.
This year the auto shop boys as part of their train- ing repainted their shop which had become very dingy. This project, which was so extensive that our custodians could not find time to work it into their schedule, has been a must for several years.
122
ANNUAL REPORT
Lack of space for both storage and instruction pur- poses in the woodworking shop as well as in the auto shop continues to handicap us. We have pointed out in pre- vious reports that spray painting, forge work and welding is done out of doors at the present time. We have no place for storage of finished products or for lumber used in production.
In the near future we hope to be able to purchase a power hacksaw and a 20" planer, and to construct a small building for storage purposes.
Miscellaneous
On January 1st, 1953, the Dighton High School tu- ition rate will be increased to $175 for out of town stu- dents. This amount partially covers our increased costs.
An instructor of vocational related work will be added to our faculty in September, 1953. This action is required by the State Department.
Because of the difficulty in obtaining substitute teachers the Committee increased the per day rate from $8.00 to $10.00 effective as of September, 1952.
Through the efforts of Mr. Fred Harris a drive was conducted to raise money for the purchasing of thirty- five new band uniforms. Part of the cost was met by the transfer of monies from various school funds.
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