USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Carver > Town annual reports of Carver 1953 > Part 4
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The records of the sealer of weights and measures and of the school, library, and cemetery departments, as well as of all other departments collecting money for the town, were examined and checked, and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
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The inadequate methods used at present in keeping the accounts of the town are worthy of consideration on the part of the citizens. Under the present method of accounting it is impossible for the selectmen to know the actual financial condition of the town. The board of selectmen in a town is, in reality, the board of directors of the municipal corporation, and should have at its service books and records which fur- nish complete information as to the finances of the town, in order that it may be enabled to plan the work most essential to be done with the means at hand.
I do not believe in, nor do I recommend, a complicated set of books for towns; nevertheless, there should be kept in a single department certain general accounting records which show the assets and liabilities, the appropriations made and the charges against them, as well as the detail of all receipts and payments. These accounts, if kept up to date at all times, will enable the taxpayer to see at a glance the source from which revenue is received and the purposes for which pay- ments are made, as well as the financial condition of the town.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's cash, summaries of the tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, tax title, and departmental accounts, together with schedules showing the transactions and condition of the trust and in- vestment funds.
While engaged in making the audit cooperation was re- ceived from the officials of the town, for which I wish to express appreciation on behalf of my assistants and for myself.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM SCHWARTZ,
Assistant Director of Accounts.
WS: JRB
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Frank H. Cole, Chairman
Term expires 1956
Elizabeth F. Ryder, Secretary
Term expires 1954
Erwin K. Washburn
Term expires 1955
George R. Austin, Superintendent of Schools Office: Room 4, Peirce Bldg., Middleboro Office Tel .: Middleboro 1295-W
STAFF
Consolidated School - Henry M. Shaw, Principal; Arithmetic Grade 7 and History Grades 7 and 8.
George Drake, Asst. Principal, Athletic Coach; Science, Grades 6, 7, 8; Arithmetic Grade 8; Geography Grade 8; Practical Arts, Boys, Grades 7, 8; Physical Educa- tion, Grade 6, and Boys, Grades 7 and 8.
Hattie J. Griffith, Grade 1.
Alice R. Shurtleff, Grade 2.
Florence L. Gordon", Grades 1 and 2.
Gladys E. Burgess, Grade 3.
Virginia C. Smith, Grade 4.
Vienna P. Cole, Grades 3 and 4.
Doris F. Moore, Grade 5.
Marion L. Griffith, History, Language and Reading - Grade 6; English, Grades 7 and 8; Latin, Grade 8; Music, Grades 7 and 8.
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Constance B. Holmes, Arithmetic, Grade 7; Geography, Grades 6 and 7; Reading, Grades 7 and 8; Practical Arts, Girls, Grades 7 and 8; Physical Education, Girls, Grades 7 and 8.
* Mrs. Gordon resigned her position December 31, 1953, and Mrs. Suzanne F. Burbank was elected to fill the vacancy.
Drawing Supervisor: Stella F. Morrison, Plympton.
School Physician: W. Vernon Mayo, M. D., 119 Summer St., Kingston.
School Nurse: Madeline A. Baker, R. N., 72 So. Main Street, Middleboro.
Advisory Committee for Practical Arts:
Mrs. Henry M. Shaw, Chairman
Mrs. Carroll D. Griffith, Secretary
Mrs. John F. Thomson, ( Resigned, December 1953.)
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1954 Winter Term: Begins Monday, January 4; Closes Thursday, April 15. Vacation: February 22-26; Closed Good Friday, April 16th. Vacation: April 19-23.
1954 Spring Term: Begins Monday, April 26; Closes June 11; Graduation, June 10; Holiday, May 31.
1954 Fall Term: Opens Wednesday, September 8; Closes Thursday, December 23. Holidays: October 12; Novem- ber 11, 25 and 26; Teachers' Convention, October 22. 1955 Winter Term: Opens Monday, January 3.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO FIRST GRADE
1. A child who will reach his sixth birthday on or before December 31st may be admitted to the first grade in Septem- ber, 1954, without examination.
2. A child whose sixth birthday occurs in the two months after December 31st may be admitted the preceding Sept. if
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readiness for school can be demonstrated by means of appro- priate tests. Parents having a child whom they wish to be examined under this rule are required to make application to the Superintendent of Schools on or before August 15th pre- ceding the opening of school in September. A special form will be furnished for this purpose upon written request from the parent.
CLOSING OF SCHOOLS
It is the policy of the School Committee to close schools only under the severest weather conditions or on such occasions when it is dangerous to operate school buses. At other times, parents are expected to use their own judgment in sending children to school. When a decision to close schools has been made, this information will be broadcast through the courtesy of radio stations WBZ, WNBH and WBET. The no-school signal will also be given on the local fire warning apparatus. This signal is two short blasts sounded three times. From records of the School Committee:
Voted: That the report of the Superintendent of Schools and other officers of the school system be hereby adopted as the report of the School Committee for 1953.
FRANK H. COLE, Chairman ELIZABETH F. RYDER, Secretary ERWIN K. WASHBURN
School Committee.
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FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1953
Appropriation
$98,727.97 $98,698.75 $29.22
E. Tillson Pratt Fund
73.51
$73.51
Benjamin Ellis Fund
169.97
169.97
0.00
$98,971.45 $98,868.72 $29.22 $73.51
Expenditures SUPERVISION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
School Committee, Salaries
$301.75
School Committee, Expenses
68.34
Superintendent, Salary
2,108.82
Superintendent, Travel
213.87
Union Office, incl. Clerical Assistance
and Administrative Expense
1,094.94
School Census
30.00
Attendance Officer
25.00
$3,842.72
EXPENSES OF INSTRUCTION
Supervisors
$928.00
Teachers and Substitutes
30,467.37
Textbooks
1,201.22
Supplies
1,208.76
$33,805.35
OPERATING EXPENSES
Janitors' Salaries
$4,453.00
Janitors' Fees: Non-school Activities
48.50
Janitor's Supplies
757.44
Fuel
1,528.24
Lights, Telephone, Misc.
827.12
$7,614.30
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MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY
Repairs and Miscellaneous
$353.81 $353.81
AUXILIARY AGENCIES
Transportation - High School
$9,729.07
Disciplinary Officer
High School Transportation
656.75
Transportation - Elementary School
11,482.39
Insurance
412.92
Library
157.67
Health
979.43
Tuition: High Schools
19,104.67*
Misc. Aux. Agencies
135.88
$42,658.78
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Tuition, Day School
$1,511.21
Tuition, Evening School
0.00
Transportation
3,773.88
Practical Arts
430.41
$5,715.50
OUTLAYS
New Construction
Equipment
$4,878.26
$4,878.26
Total Expenditures
$98,868.72
*Includes $107.00 Elementary tuition to City of Boston.
Table of Reimbursement
and other income earned on account of Schools during the fiscal year 1953, as certified to the
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Superintendent of Schools by the Department of Education, or billed by the local Department to other agencies:
School Aid ( Chap. 70, G. L., as amended) $8,710.79
Transportation (Chap. 71, G. L., as amended)
19,092.86
Superintendent of Schools, Small Towns
1,300.89
Vocational Education:
Tuition
$291.13
Transportation
108.34
399.47
$29,504.01
Other:
Wards, City of Boston:
Tuition
$264.10
Transportation
59.28
323.38
Wards, Division of Child Guardianship
Tuition
$2,204.93
Transportation
1,850.12
4,055.05
$33,882.44
Reimbursement, Schoolhouse Construction (Chap. 645, Acts of 1948) Payments for 1951, 1952 & 1953, $15,381.96. ( ** This account had not been paid at the close of the fiscal year ).
NET COST OF SCHOOLS, YEAR 1953
Total expense, all types of school $98,698.75x
Total of reimbursements and earnings 33,882.44
Net Cost $64,816.31
x Not including amount spent from income from special funds.
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ESTIMATES of School Aid and other reimbursements to be received in 1954, these estimates being furnished as required under Section 10, Chapter 643, Acts of 1948.
School Aid ( Chap. 70, G. L., as amended)
$9,815.58*
Transportation (Chap. 71, G. L., as amended) 19,400.00 Superintendent of Schools, Small Towns 1,300.00
Other Anticipated Income:
Division of Child Guardianship
State Wards:
Tuition
$2,000.00
Transportation
540.00
2,540.00
Vocational Education:
Tuition
$658.04
Transportation
1,076.75
Evening Practical Arts Classes
164.08
1,898.87
$34,954.45
* This figure subject to change if the Legislature revises the table of equalized valuations for the towns. Present figure set by Acts of 1945.
Estimated Reimbursement on Account of Schoolhouse Con- struction (Chap. 645, Acts of 1948), 4th payment, $5,127.32.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the members of the School Committee:
This report, together with the financial statements which precede it and the several reports and statistical tables which follow constitute the report for the School Committee, as per your decision to continue this type of report as submitted in recent years. It is assembled with the point of view in mind that it will place on the public record the most important of the developments which have taken place during the calendar year in the school.
If one were to try to synthesize the decisions of the com- mittee with respect to the school and the services related to it, it could probably be best said that the year has, in great meas- ure, been devoted to improving and developing the facilities of the plant, better regulating some of the functions relating to school and preparing the way so that the curriculum and the process of teaching can be most effectively handled for the best interests of the children. As such, then, this report has been prepared to cover three broad fields of activity. The headings of each section indicate the nature of the discussion. Attention should also be given to the reports of other persons as each gives added information, according to the duties for which he is responsible.
THE SCHOOL - ITS STAFF AND PROGRAM
One of the basic major efforts as related to the staff has been in the work of the committee and superintendent in setting up a salary schedule for teachers. Since the history of education within the town, there has been no regularly established plan for salary advancement for teachers. In years gone by this
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was a perfectly acceptable way of handling the matter, but present itmes and trends require a different approach. These are times when teachers' salaries are moving ahead and Carver, if it is to keep up with the trend and be in a position to fill the vacancies as replacements are needed on the staff, must pre- pare in advance to be in an equally competitive position. The present salary schedule is not extreme but it does match favorably with schedules for towns within its own class ( Class IV, towns of under 5,000 persons and not maintaining a high school). In this connection, though, there is still one limit- ation. Carver, by its geographical location, must compete for teachers in an area where there are, cities (ClassI) and large towns ( Class II) competing for teachers. Both of these classes of municipalities have more liberal salary schedules and this results in producing keener competition for the already too small supply of elementary teachers. It is probably a foregone conclusion that small towns will always find it a problem to compete on equal terms with the larger places but the effort which has been made is a worthy one. The teachers and principal cooperated with the committee in working out the details to be agreed upon in establishing the proposal; two or three years experience will determine how well the schedule is working. The space for this report being limited, it is not possible to print the schedule in full detail, but the basic es- sentials are given here and the complete detail is always avail- able to any citizen, upon request.
SALARY PROGRAM FOR CARVER TEACHERS, as adopted by the School Committee on August 3, 1953.
Step
Non-Degree
Degree
Principal
1
$2,500.00
$2,500.00
$3,300.00
2
2,600.00
2,600.00
3,400.00
3
2,700.00
2,700.00
3,500.00
4
2,850.00
2,850.00
3,650.00
5
2,950.00
2,950.00
3,750.00
6
3,050.00
3,050.00
3,850.00
7
3,200.00
3,200.00
4,000.00
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8
3,300.00
3,300.00
4,100.00
9
3,400.00
10
3,550.00
Additional changes were made in the staff, as noted in the principal's report. Mrs. Florence L. Gordon resigned her position at the close of this calendar year to take up work in the Plymouth school system which is also the town of her residence. Mrs. Gordon began her service with Carver in September, 1928, and has served faithfully since that time in numerous teaching positions and at several of the town schools. Her conscientious efforts to do her best for the children under her charge have been an outstanding characteristic of her ser- vice as well as her spirit of cooperation in working with her fellow teachers and principal. It can be certain that her numerous pupils will remember her. Under the public statutes, Mrs. Betsy A. Burkhead was required to leave teaching, she having reached the legal age of retirement. It is unfortunate that Mrs. Burkhead's able service had to be terminated in such a manner, but there was no alternative. Staff changes were made as recorded in the directory and the report of the prin- cipal as a result of the resignation and retirement.
A change in the curriculum which placed the Mechanical Drawing for boys with Mr. Drake, so that it might be more closely related to the work in Practical Arts for Boys dictated the advisability of reducing the time of the Art Supervisor from two days weekly, to one day each week, and redistribute the art work, other than that which Mrs. Morrison might handle in one day.
A further change in the school organization has been the ap- pointment of an assistant principal. There are occasions when the principal must be absent from his school and this has been the logical step to take. Mr. Drake, who joined the staff last year, was elected to this position and will serve well. Mr. Drake's status at the school as an athletic coach has also been recognized as one of his duties.
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The problem of the numbers of children in the individual grades has received considerable attention this year. Referring to the official census, a majority of the groups are in the high thirties and two groups have forty or more children. If the teaching is to be efficient, the groups should run from between twenty-five to thirty children. This situation led to the election of Mrs. Vienna Cole, a teacher with a number of years exper- ience, and several of these in Carver, who has a combination grade and plans are made for the election of one more person to teach a combination group in 1954. With these staff changes and additions, we look forward to 1954 as a year in which we shall be able to have sufficient teacher time per child so that each may obtain all the possible benefits which school can offer.
THE SCHOOL - ITS RELATED ACTIVITIES
Foremost in this category should be a summary of the activi- ties of the Committee and superintendent with respect to the problem of future secondary education opportunities. It was on October 8 that the superintendent of Carver received a letter from the Plymouth superintendent transmitting the in- formation from the Plymouth committee to the committee of Carver that all tuition pupils would have to be eliminated from Plymouth in June, 1954. In consideration of the best alter- native to follow the superintendent was authorized to write and inquire if there might be any possibility of tuition pupils attending the new Regional Silver Lake high school and to make similar inquiries as to whether any opportunities might be open at Middleboro and Wareham. Meanwhile, the super- intendent was also to ask if Plymouth might be willing to re- consider its position, in view of the problem which Carver would have under such a rule, and to arrange a meeting be- tween the two school committees. This meeting was accom- plished and has resulted in an agreement under which the Carver students will be able to continue at Plymouth until 1955 for Senior High purposes and up to fifteen Junior High pupils will also be admitted to the same date. This means that we shall have to make increased efforts to secure any
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Vocational admission which the pupils may wish and it is entirely possible that other supplementary efforts will have to be made to secure remaining ninth grade placements. As the year closes, the committee has yet to have a definite word about admission to Silver Lake on a tuition basis and, mean- while, intends to explore the possibilities of the regional school in this area, as well as any other openings which may be de- veloped for reception of tuition pupils. It is too soon to be able to state what the ultimate solution will be.
Problems of discipline and control of pupils being trans- ported to Plymouth continue to require more than their fair share of time but progress can be reported and the cooperation of Mr. Arthur P. Moskos in helping the committee to work out the solution has been much appreciated. At the first of the year two disciplinary officers were appointed to travel the buses for the purpose of relieving the drivers of the control of pupils. As matters seemed, on the whole, to improve, it was decided to eliminate this type of control when schools opened in the fall and Mr. Moskos has given the problem his attention since that time. It is firmly believed that the large majority of the high school youth want to cooperate and do what is right; it is regrettable that Carver must be known among those places where the problem is evident. It is encouraging to note more progress and as pupils arrive to a sense of responsibility for their own control and the native sense of fairness in the majority asserts itself, we look forward to the time when a wholesome situation will again prevail.
A plan for blanket coverage accident insurance was offered to parents and their children during the last year and approxi- mately 57% of the children are covered. It is too soon to de- termine how effective this will be in meeting those costs relating to accidents, but the plan has proved very beneficial in other communities and a year's trial should demonstrate its usefulness here.
A plan for the encouragement of music study has been con- tinued. The lack of a music supervisor to head up instrumen-
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tal as well as vocal music tends to leave much to chance regarding individual interest and application in this field of effort. When school opened in the fall, the former instructors in instruments were not available for teaching. At length, arrangements were completed with Mr. Herman Young, of Hull, who teaches instruments at Middleboro, to undertake this work in Carver. The fees for the individual lessons are met by the parents. The school provides the time and place for the lesson to be held. We hope for increased interest in this effort so that there will be a sufficient number of pupils studying to form some sort of band or orchestral group.
The matter of whether support should be continued in the Evening Practical Arts school should receive the committee's attention for the coming year. During the past year classes were completed in Decorated Ware and Braided Rugs and it is certain that those who availed themselves of the opportunity found profit in the time spent. At the time when the exhibit was held las tspring, an opportunity was offered for those in- terested in other classes to show their interest by signing the pre-registration sheets for certain classes. There were about fifty-three names on these sheets. On the basis of this list and the recommendations of the advisory committee for Practical Arts, the School Committee approved the establishment of three classes for this fall, Clothing I, Decorated Ware I and II and Furniture Refinishing. In spite of the fact that there were more than twenty names listed on each of the lists for Clothing I and Furniture Refinishing, the enrolments in these two classes have been very small and there is a serious question as to whether further effort should be made to support this work another year. Much more time than is realized is taken from the superintendent's work to find teachers, organize the classes, attend to publications, reports and records for the Department of Education; no one would object to the amount of time so consumed if it were felt that a sufficient number of persons were profiting thereby, but it is questionable whether or not the same time might not be better spent on the work of the regular day school, to the greater profit of all concerned.
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In an effort to offer the classes when more might be able to attend, we took heed of the suggestion that the classes be not started until later in the season so as to permit residents to finish up opportunities for part-time employment which are abundant in Carver in the fall. Classes were opened Novem- ber 18th, about a month later than the usual opening date around the state, but with the small enrolment. I recommend thoughtful consideration be given to this problem before ad- ditional classes are planned for another year.
The lunch program is covered in the principal's report so space need not be given to it here, except to point out that it is one of the most successful small-school programs to be found in the state, and is frequently visited by those who want to see such a program in operation. Worthy of note, too, is that fact that no town appropriation has been necessary to keep the program solvent nor is any need foreseen in this respect.
THE SCHOOL - THE TOOLS OF TEACHING and THE SCHOOL PLANT
Considerable effort has been expended this year in improv- ing and augmenting the resources available to the teachers for use in the instructional program. The old projector which has seen many years use in Carver was exchanged and a new one provided to take its place, together with a suitable table on which to place it. A transcription player was also bought, together with a record player for the use of the smaller grades. A duplicator using the stencil process was also added to the equipment available for the teachers' use in preparing mimeo- graphed materials for lesson purposes. All of the common types of duplicators are now available for the use of the teachers.
Several new series of textbooks were recommended to the committee by teachers and superintendent after suitable ex- amination of the materials available. These are discussed in another report and it is needless to do so here again. With additional work in this fieid in the coming year, we shall have
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all up-to-date textbook material available to the pupils by the close of 1954.
The work of improving and developing the school plant has continued through the past year. Corridor noise has always been excessive. Bids were sought, upon committee approval, for application of acoustical tile which was installed in Decem- ber. The low bid was filed by the Pitcher Co. of Cambridge. All-metal, box-type lockers have been installed in both the locker rooms. Here the low bid was furnished by the Lyon Metal Products, Inc., and the lockers were installed by local help. A very favorable price was obtained through direct pur- chase from the factory and by also combining the order with a similar one from another town in this Union so as to give both towns the advantage of quantity purchase. Another deficiency was met by purchase, through bids, of the workbenches and tools for the shop so that a suitable grade of work might be conducted in that department. A contract was let for the an- nual servicing of the numerous controls which govern the heating and ventilating system. Modern controls are delicate by nature, and, if to give thorough and satisfactory service, must have a reasonable amount of checking and calibration from time to time if they are to do their best work. A program of boiler maintenance and care has been undertaken, as well as certain treatment to improve the efficiency of the heating plant and to insure a longer life of the boiler.
As of July 1, a change was made in the policy concerning the janitorial staff. It was decided that two full time janitors were not necessary and that the work could be handled less expen- sively and as satisfactorily by having one full-time man and permitting him to hire additional help from time to time, as needed, as at such times when it would be possible for two persons to work all day. This change has worked satisfactorily and appears to be a final solution to the matter.
In spite of anything we might wish to see otherwise, the costs for education continue to rise and there seems little liklihood of any change in this respect in the near future. Costs for
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schools in Carver are in line with other communities of similar situation, as demonstrated by statistics recently released by the State Department of Education, as of June 30, 1953. Carver is listed in this report as having a per pupil cost, grades 1-8, of $192.65. The average cost, among towns of Carver's class is $191.39 per pupil, while the all-over state average for grades 1-8 is $201.55.
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