USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1958 > Part 6
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300.00
Board of Health
96.00
54,056.61
ANNUAL REPORT
December 31, 1958
114
ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Petty Cash Advance Reserve $ 16.00
State Taxes and Assessments
20.51
5,964.93
1957 Personal Property
91.22
Chapter 90-Elm Street
39,656.94
13,607.35
High School Athletics
84.56
School Department 10,414.63
Pump Service
3.00
Fire Department
22.50
Welfare Department
929.01
Street Department
68.67
11,212.20
Aid to Highways-State:
Chapter 81
6,271.43
Revenue Reserved Until Collected : Motor Vehicle Excise
5,964.93
Departmental
12,624.35
Chapter 90-Dighton-Berkley Bridge
1,900.00
Aid to Highways
38,934.57
Flood Relief-
Farm Excise
24.75
Spring St. Bridge
3,400.00
Tax Possession
468.88
Chapter 90-Elm St. Bridge
12,500.00
Aid to Highways-County:
Chapter 90-Maintenance
1,700.00
Chapter 90-Dighton-Berkley Bridge
1,900.00
Chapter 90-Spring St. Bridge
3,313.14
Chapter 90-Elm St. Bridge
6,250.00
1959 Revenue:
County Taxes and Assessments
1,884.96
Bristol County T. B. Hospital
850.20
Street Department
590.74
Old Age Assistance
2,593.78
Veterans' Benefits
1,140.13
$250,642.76
$250,642.76
115
ANNUAL REPORT
Reserves :
Overlay Reserved for 1956 Taxes 29.40 Overlay Reserved for 1957 Taxes 2,286.09 Overlay Reserved for 1958 Taxes 8,896.71
12,624.35
Reserve Fund Overlay Surplus 24,408.01
Chapter 90-Maintenance
1,700.00
Tax Title
1,638.66
59,656.14
Excess and Deficiency : Surplus Revenue 101,293.80
38,934.57
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded Debt
$295,000.00 Elementary School Bonds
$295,000.00
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Trust Funds :
Cash in Savings Banks
15,513.18
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
9,018.51
Joshua Bliss Cemetery Fund Charles S. Chase Trust Fund 1,015.00
5,479.67
15,513.18
$561,155.94
$561,155.94
116
ANNUAL REPORT
COMPARISON OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FROM 1953 - 1958
ASSETS
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1953
Cash Balance
$170,303.46
$152,269.65
$118,542.37
$157,827.98
$104,603.66
$124,621.64
Motor Excise
5,964.93
6,696.76
6,639.63
3,268.83
4,104.99
4,817.25
Pers., Poll, & Real
13,607.35
33,373.98
40,689.29
35,691.66
55,526.22
37,580.26
Departmental
12,624.35
16,665.26
8,464.66
4,725.48
13,225.20
11,160.12
Aid to Highways
38,934.57
31,871.85
34,675.12
19,192.91
12,177.16
5,642.29
To be raised
7,059.81
2,589.51
1,806.51
2,970.15
2,129.28
147.14
Misc. Assets
2,148.30
2,419.36
3,684.65
4,059.35
2,964.20
2,153.17
Total Assets
$250,642.76
$245,886.37
$214,502.23 $227,736.36 $194,730.71
$186,122.37
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Liabilities
$ 54,072.61
$ 57,264.51
$ 41,488.64
$ 38,999.22
$ 12,442.90
$ 17,371.15
Reserves :
Dept. Revenue
59,656.14
57,382.23
53,464.06
31,246.57
32,471.55
23,773.33
Overlay
11,212.20
10,299.92
8,031.31
10,209.24
10,277.38
9,245.54
Overlay Surplus
24,408.01
21,228.08
16,353.49
10,731.04
6,734.04
2,667.44
E. & D.
101,293.80
99,711.63
95,164.73
136,550.29
132,804.84
133,064.91
Total Liab. & Res.
$250,642.76
$245,886.37
$214,502.23
$227,736.36
$194,730.71
$186,122.37
Free Cash
$ 87,686.45
$ 66,337.65
$ 54,475.44
$100,858.63
$ 77,278.62
$ 95,484.65
ANNUAL REPORT
117
HOW THE $ WAS SPENT IN 1958
Schools and Libraries-50.8%
Public Assistance-13.1%
Highways and Bridges-9.5%
Capital Outlay-7.1%
Bonds and Interest-5.3%
Taxes and Assessments-5%
General Government-3.2%
Protection of Persons and Property-3.1%
Insurance and Miscellaneous -- 1.8%
Public Health-1.1%
THE SOURCE OF THE $ IN 1958
Personal, Property and Poll Taxes-50%
School Aid and Transportation-14.7%
Income and Corporation Taxes-7.6%
Motor Vehicle Taxes-7%
Charitable Revenue-6%
Highway Revenue-5%
School Revenue-4.5%
Federal Grants-3.6%
Interest, Licenses and Miscellaneous-1.6%
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
of the Town of
DIGHTON
Year Ending December 31, 1958
2
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires 1959
Francis J. Torres, Chairman
43 Summer Street, North Dighton
Harry Hagopian, Secretary 1960
150 Spring Street, North Dighton
Albert R. DeSilva, Financial Secretary 1959
87 Winter Street, North Dighton Lawrence Mendoza 1960
Elm Street, Dighton 1961
Wyman E. Hawkes Segreganset
Frank Rogers 1961
247 Lincoln Avenue, North Dighton
Antone Compos
1959
32 Elm Street, Dighton
Superintendent Robert T. Roy, B. S., Ed. M.
Residence: Somerset Avenue, Segreganset Office: Dighton High School, Segreganset Telephone: Dighton NO 9-4751 (Office) Dighton NO 9-3912 (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
3
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 seems advisable to close the elementary school the notice will be broadcast over Radio Station 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 unforseen emergencies make it necessary to close. In the event of closing, the information will be specifically announced over the radio as indicated above for the elementary 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 established 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.
4
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR As Approved by School Committee 1958 - 1959
DIGHTON
Dighton Elementary School
School opens September 3, 1958
closes December 23, 1958
75 days
opens January 5, 1959
closes February 20, 1959
35 days
opens March 2, 1959
closes April 17, 1959 34 days
opens April 27, 1959
closes June 12, 1959
35 days
179 days
Dighton High School
School opens September 3, 1958 closes December 23, 1958
75 days
opens January 5, 1959
closes February 20, 1959
35 days
opens March 2, 1959
closes April 17, 1959
34 days
opens April 27, 1959
closes June 19, 1959 40 days
184 days
Schools will close on the following days:
October 13-Columbus Day
October 31-Teachers' Convention
November 11-Veterans' Day November 27 and 28-Thanksgiving Recess March 27-Good Friday
Elementary School Graduation-June 3, 1959
High School Graduation-June 11, 1959
5
ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$268,600.00
Less: Production Fund
Dental Fund
$2,200.00 1,200.00
3,400.00
$265,200.00
Expenditures
General Control
$ 10,791.16
Transportation
27,981.90
Teachers' Salaries
179,583.89
Books
3,509.19
Audio-Visual Aids
54.61
Supplies
3,869.21
Janitors' Supplies
1,830.13
Fuel
5,508.13
Electricity
2,998.76
Gas
658.03
Water
579.42
Janitors' Salaries
15,283.22
Miscellaneous
1,683.21
Boiler Repairs
342.93
Repairs
2,162.56
Music
875.95
Health
2,751.95
New Equipment
1,709.91
Library, High School
163.71
Staff Expenses
96.83
Tuition, Evening School
277.52
Vocational Education :
Household Arts
206.90
General Shop
1,659.94
$264,579.06
Balance-Returned to Town
620.94
$265,200.00
6
ANNUAL REPORT
VOCATIONAL PRODUCTION FUND
Appropriation
$2,200.00
Expenditures
2,122.38
Balance on Hand
$ 77.62
DENTAL FUND
Appropriation
$1,200.00
Balance on Hand
$1,200.00
ELEMENTARY DOG TAX FUND
Unexpended Balance, 1957
$
686.55
Expenditures, 1958
465.93
Balance on Hand
$ 220.62
DIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL DOG TAX FUND
Receipts, 1958
$ 602.35
Expenditures
204.20
Balance on Hand $ 398.15
NET COST TO TOWN
Expenditures, 1958
$264,579.06
Receipts, 1958 :
Chapter 70, General State Aid $43,698.47
Reimbursement, Superintendent's Salary and Travel
2,426.62
Reimbursement, Vocational Education 6,640.68
Transportation 23,811.67
State Wards 947.78
ANNUAL REPORT
Tuition :
Berkley
20,707.55
Freetown
5,337.40
Rehoboth
417.00
Miscellaneous Tuition
583.33
Miscellaneous Receipts
172.52
Vocational Receipts
14.90
Vocational Production Fund
2,145.02
Military Service Refund
(Chabaton & Spector)
452.50
Total Receipts, 1958
$107,355.44
Net Cost to Town
$157,223.62
Balance Returned to Town
$ 1,025.89
8
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Citizens of the Town of Dighton:
I herewith submit my fourth annual report as Superin- tendent of Schools of Dighton. Incorporated herein is the report of the Principals, the Vocational School Director, the Music Supervisors and the School Nurse. It is recommended that you read them carefully so that you may become better acquainted with our school program. The schools are your schools. Please feel free to call upon us at any time when you have questions concerning the program.
Personnel
Four of our faculty members left last June. Mrs. Jac- queline Booth moved to Maryland to be with her husband. Mr. Kenneth Sanford accepted a teaching position in Connecti- cut. Mr. James J. Dowd, our high school principal for the last two years, accepted a similar position in Sharon at a considerable increase in salary. Miss Nellie Mae Pierce, our vocal music teacher, accepted a position in Fall River.
Mrs. Dorothy Borjeson was hired to teach second grade at the Elementary School and Miss Clare Hanrahan, a teacher with three years experience, replaced Mr. Sanford as teacher of social studies in grades seven and eight.
Mr. Donald Morrison, a recent graduate of Boston Uni- versity, replaced Miss Pierce as vocal music teacher.
Mrs. Jeanette Shaw was hired to teach general science to grades seven and eight.
After screening twenty candidates Dr. Lawrence Fitz- patrick was chosen to succeed Mr. Dowd as principal of Dighton High School.
We are still unable to find a full-time girl's physical education teacher. At present Mrs. Adele Cermak is teaching three days a week in the High School.
9
ANNUAL REPORT
We had more applicants last summer for certain teaching positions than we have had for quite some time. There are still shortages in some areas. The state-wide raise in minimum salaries may help the situation by keeping teachers from going out of state.
School Population
This year we show an overall increase of about twenty-five pupils. Most of this increase is at the Elementary School. This growth is in line with the slow but steady increase in enrollment which we have experienced over the last few years.
Our room situation remains about the same as last year. The rooms are a little more crowded at the Elementary School and there is a lack of rooms at the High School to run all the classes necessary for a well-rounded program.
Now that the regional plan has gained some momentum it is hoped that the situation will be taken care of in a year or two.
Berkley will probably send grade nine to the Freetown- Lakeville Regional School next year. However, our high school enrollment will remain about the same as our entering ninth grade will be larger than it has been in recent years.
Repairs and Improvements
The roofs at both schools were repaired last summer. Further repairs will be made to the Elementary School roof this next summer. Some of the old light fixtures at the High School have been replaced by more modern fixtures. Other minor repairs were completed at both schools.
Some repairs will be made at the High School Athletic Field this summer.
In general, our schools are in good condition due to the fine work of our custodians. The members of the Area Three School Committees met at our Elementary School last Spring and all were impressed with the cleanliness of our school.
10
ANNUAL REPORT
Budget
The increase in our budget for this year is the smallest in the last few years. There are two reasons for only a slight increase. First, a decrease in the amount of salaries due to a part-time girl's physical education teacher and a part-time home economics teacher. This last because of reduced number of pupils selecting home economics. Secondly, the bid for transportation submitted last year was about $1,000. less than the previous bid. These savings have served to help reduce other increases in the budget. This plateau will probably last for only one year as the general increases in teachers salaries throughout the state will be felt in our budget in another year.
Conclusion
I want to thank the School Committee, principals and teachers for the cooperation they have given me this year. I feel that these people have worked well as a team to provide Dighton children with the best possible education.
I wish to express appreciation to the parents who assisted the schools in any way during the year. The School Depart- ment is also grateful to the P. T. A. for its support by financial aid and educational programs.
It is also gratifying to receive such excellent cooperation from the Selectmen, Police Department, Fire Department and other town officials.
In conclusion I feel that in this day of added stress on education it is only fitting that we all work together to make our educational system outstanding.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT T. ROY, Superintendent of Schools
11
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Robert Roy Superintendent of Schools
Dear Mr. Roy :
I submit the following report for 1958.
The annual physical examination was given to all pupils attending Dighton schools by Dr. Charles M. Souza, school physician. Pupils taking part in the athletic programs were first examined before being allowed to participate in any competitive sport.
The Massachusetts Vision Test and the Puretone Audio- meter Test were given in the schools. Parents were notified of a failure to pass these screening tests.
Registration day and the pre-school clinic were combined and held on May 15th. Forty children were vaccinated against small-pox by Dr. Souza. Sixty-four children were registered to enter school in September. During the summer months several more children were registered, so the enrollment in September reached seventy-five.
The "Get Acquainted Day" was held in May and again proved to be a very successful event.
As a part of the health examination the seniors at the High School were x-rayed. This was done through the facili- ties of the Bristol County Health Association.
In October a dental examination was given to all ele- mentary pupils by Mrs. Tassenari, dental hygienist from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Parents were notified of the result of the examination.
Again I wish to thank the entire school personnel and parents for their cooperation and assistance in this health program.
Respectfully submitted, ESTHER BOWDEN, R. N., School Nurse
12
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF DIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Robert T. Roy Superintendent of Schools
Dighton, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Roy :
Pursuant to your request, I am submitting the following report pertaining to Dighton High School. I will preface this report by noting that our objective is to develop in each student an organization of knowledge, skills, habits, attitudes, and ideals which will be of value to him subsequent to his graduation from our school. In my opinion, education is the doing of something; it is the development and training of the minds of our students. We desire to develop the potential powers of each student and to help him to make himself all that it is possible for him to become.
1. Administrative Actions
We believe that administrative policies must be in writ- ing, distributed to the faculty, and filed for later reference. Consequently, policies pertaining to the following subjects, have been written this year: Activity period, Air Raid Drills, Detention, Faculty Telephone Contact on "No School Days", Fire Drills, Guide for Class Advisors, Report Cards, Report Record Cards, Student Absence Slips, Accident Insurance, Dis- missals, Program Cards, Registration Blanks, and Tardiness, in addition to Student Rules pertaining to School Dances and Basketball Games. We also have a policy concerning the faculty use of visual aids material. Mrs. Helena Kennedy's able assistance enabled us to accomplish the necessary work that is synonymous with the reproduction of school policies.
This year, we made provision for the recording of conduct marks on report cards, and we compile a file on each student who is referred to me by each teacher for disciplinary action. We also maintain a record of each student who is dismissed from school because of illness or parental requests. Also, we
13
ANNUAL REPORT
have a roster of students who are passengers on each school bus.
The chief objective of our administrative actions is a quiet, orderly school that is conducive to effective learning and the acquisition of knowledge.
2. Syllabi
The improvement of the quality of instruction is one of my chief responsibilities. Therefore, a syllabus is being applied to each English class. Eventually, we plan to apply a syllabus to each subject in the curriculum. Such application must precede the evaluation of our school by representatives of our state department of education.
The purpose of a syllabus is to provide uniform subject matter in a particular subject throughout the entire school year. Each syllabus, of course, is geared to the needs, in- terests, and abilities of pupils. Also, each syllabus will include the most current subject matter. This is particularly true of science and mathematics.
Syllabi will enable a teacher to concentrate upon certain salient points during each quarter or marking period. That a syllabus will be helpful in review is a forgone conclusion. Another benefit of a syllabus is that it will facilitate the orientation of a new staff member. In addition, a syllabus will be beneficial in the case of a continuing subject, since a syllabus for French (1) will contain subject matter that a student must master if he is to do well in French (2). A syllabus for French (2) will include material that is based on a pupil's knowledge of French (1). This is true of other continuing subjects, such as Latin, typewriting, and steno- graphy.
Syllabi will provide for natural growth and development from grade nine through and including the senior year in high school. Seniors who go on to college from our school will have a firm foundation on which to base their pursuit of higher learning.
14
ANNUAL REPORT
3. Guidance Services
Testing is an important facet of our guidance program which is supervised by Mr. Francis Vitale, the Director of Guidance, who administers a standardized reading test to freshmen, the California Mental Maturity Test to juniors, and the Kuder Preference Test on an individual bases. The Stanford Binet Intelligence Test also is included in our guidance services.
Members of our faculty and Mr. Vitale analyze not only test scores but also the academic grades of our students to be certain that there is a correlation between a student's potential and his daily marks, and that each student is per- forming in accordance with his ability. We desire that the number of student "Underachievers" be reduced to an absolute minimum. Conversely, we hope to increase the number of "Overachievers"-those students who are functioning above their abilities, as indicated by their test results.
In addition to those tests which I noted above, Mr. Vitale conducts the National Merit Scholarship and the Scholarship Qualifying Tests. Also, many of our seniors and juniors took the College Entrance Examination Board tests this year. The results of national tests are made available to our Guidance Department; they facilitate the comparison of our students with those from other sections of the country. In this con- nection, I want to emphasize that two of our students com- pared very favorably with other students from all over the nation, as indicated by the scores which they achieved in this year's National Merit Scholarship Examination. The testing resources of the Taunton Office of the Massachusetts Division of Employment Security are available to our seniors. We appreciate the cooperation of Mr. John Sheehy, the office manager, and his excellent staff in this regard.
Local organizations provide for eleven scholarships which are awarded to our seniors at their commencement exercises. That we are grateful to the organizations concerned is a foregone conclusion. Our Guidance Department also informs our seniors concerning scholarships which are available at
15
ANNUAL REPORT
local, state, and national levels by schools, colleges, hospitals, organizations, and industry.
Our Guidance Department also apprises our students of the many career opportunities which are available by inviting their attention to the sundry periodicals from colleges, in- dustry, and governmental agencies which are on file in the Guidance office. Various speakers, furthermore, are invited to address our students. An occupational specialist from Northeastern University spoke to our students this year on the subject of occupations and professions. In addition, a representative of the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School addressed our girls on the theme of the opportunities which' exist for those who desire to pursue a secretarial career. The admissions officer of the New Bedford Technological Institute also talked to our students concerning the field of engineering. We appreciate the assistance of the officials of those universi- ties and schools who are cooperating with us by permitting their representatives to address our students.
We plan to invite representatives of the Armed Forces to address our students on the opportunities which are avail- able to those who plan to enter the military. A Coast Guard officer already has talked to our students this year. We are looking forward to visits to our school by men of the Army, Navy, Marines, and the Air Force. We plan to invite to our school service nurses to talk to our girls relative to nursing careers in the military.
Our Guidance Department, moreover, arranges consulta- tions for students to assist them in resolving their scholastic, vocational, and personal problems, in addition to helping them complete various forms and applications. Space limita- tions affect the efficacy of this aspect of guidance service.
Relative to this year's senior class, I am pleased to report that one girl already has been accepted by the Universi- ty of Massachusetts where she will be trained for a career in teaching. Upon the reopening of school after the Christmas vacation, Mr. Vitale will interview each senior toward the end of ascertaining plans subsequent to graduation from our
16
ANNUAL REPORT
school. During these interviews, Mr. Vitale will accentuate career opportunities and advise those seniors who are quali- fied to further their education at institutions of higher learning to apply immediately at the universities, colleges, and schools of their choice. We know that competition for college entrance is keen and that space is limited. We intend, however, to do everything possible for our students to ac- celerate their selection of a school, a position, or a service career.
Your attention is invited to the data pertaining to the members of our graduating class of 1958.
Dighton High School Data-Class of 1958
I. Total number of graduates in class-including Vocation- al School-61.
II. Total number of Dighton High School graduates in class-52.
III. Number of graduates who matriculated at institutions of higher learning-19.
IV. Percentage of graduates who are attending institutions of higher learning-36%.
V. Number of graduates who pursued the college course of our school-17.
VI. Number of college course graduates who are at institu- tions of higher learning-16.
VII. Percentage of college course graduates who are in in- stitutions of higher learning-94%.
Girls-Class of 1958
I. Total number in class 37
A. Distribution
1. Commercial Activity 22
2. Four year colleges 6
a. University of Massachusetts 2
b. Perry Kindergarten School 2
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ANNUAL REPORT
c. Bridgewater State Teachers College 1
d. University of Rhode Island 1
3. Industry 3
4. Nurses Training 2
5. Secretarial Schools 2
a. Bay State Academy, Boston 1
b. Johnson and Wales, Providence 1
6. Junior College 1
a. Colby Junior College 1
7. At home 1
Boys-Class of 1958
I. Total number in class 15
A. Distribution
1. Four year colleges 7
a. New Bedford Technological Institute 2
b. University of Massachusetts 2
c. Bradford Durfee Institute 1
d. Dartmouth College 1
e. Northeastern University School of Engineering 1
2. Military Service 3
3. Industry 2
4. Self Employed 2
5. Preparatory School 1
a. Bridgeton Academy 1
4. Driver Education
Our school provides driver education for all juniors. Mr. Richard Dias and Mr. Robert McGuirk teach the class phase of the program, and Mr. Leo DeMarco and Mr. McGuirk give the actual driving lessons to our students.
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