USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Carver > Town annual reports of Carver 1955 > Part 4
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The books and accounts of the town treasurer were ex- amined and checked. The recorded receipts were analyzed and compared with the records of the departments making payments to the treasurer and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments by the treasurer were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the disbursement of town funds.
The treasurer's cash balance on August 2, 1955 was proved by actual count of the cash in the office and by reconciliation of the bank balance with a statement received from the bank in which town funds are deposited.
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 transactions of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the town treasurer and the trustees were verified, and the securities and savings bank books representing the in- vestment of these funds were personally examined and listed.
The tax title records were examined and the amounts transferred to the tax title account by the tax collector were verified. The tax titles redeemed were compared with the treasurer's recorded receipts and the tax titles on hand were listed and proved.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were ex- amined and checked. The tax and excise accounts outstanding according to the previous examination, as well as all sub- sequent commitment lists, were audited and proved with the
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assessors' warrants issued for their ocllection. The collections as recorded were checked, the payments to the treasurer were verified, the recorded abatements were proved by comparison with the assessors' records of abatements granted, and the out- standing accounts were listed and proved.
The records of departmental accounts receivable were ex- amined and checked. The charges were proved, the recorded collections were compared with the treasurer's record of re- ceipts, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
Verification of the outstanding tax and departmental accounts was made by sending notices to a number of per- sons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the ac- counts, as listed, are correct.
The financial records of the town clerk were examined and checked in detail. The collections on account of dog and sporting licenses issued, as well as from marriage intentions, recording fees, etc., were verified and compared with the pay- ments to the town treasurer.
The surety bonds of the town officials required by law to furnish them for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of receipts of the selectmen and the sealer of weights and measures, as well as of the police, school, and library departments, and of all other departments collecting money for the town, were examined and checked, and the pay- ments to the treasurer were verified.
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 condition and transactions of the trust and in- vestment funds.
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While engaged in making the audit cooperation was re- ceived from all officials of the town, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM SCHWARTZ,
Assistant Director of Accounts.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Erwin K. Washburn, Chairman Term expires 1958
Elizabeth F. Ryder, Secretary Term expires 1957
Frank H. Cole
Term expires 1956
George R. Austin, Superintendent of Schools
Office: Room 4, Peirce Bldg., Middleboro Office Tel .: Middleboro 1295-W
THE GOVERNOR JOHN CARVER SCHOOL - STAFF
Mr. Henry M. Shaw, Principal Social Studies
* Mr. Daniel F. Marcelonis, Assistant Principal - General Shop, Mechanical Drawing; Science.
Mrs. H. Winifred Nickerson Grade 1
Mrs. Alice R. Shurtleff
Grade 2
Mrs. Suzanne F. Burbank Grades 1 and 2
Mrs. Gladys E. Burgess Grade 3
Mrs. Ruth B. Walker, Grade 4; Girl's Physical Education, Grades 7 and 8.
Mr. Richard Eldridge, Grade 5; Physical Education, Grades 5 and 6 and Boys', Grades 7 and 8.
Resigned position to accept teaching in Dedham, Mass., December 31, 1955. Replaced by the election of Mr. George W. McCarthy.
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Mrs. Doris F. Moore, Grade 5; Girls' Drawing, Grades 7 and 8.
Mrs. Anna .E Wright Grade 6; Reading, Grade 8 (2)
Mrs. Vienna P. Cole, Grade 7; Arithmetic and Geography, Grades 7 and 8; History, Grade 8 (2).
Mrs. Marion L. Griffith, Grade 8; English and Literature, Grades 7 and 8; Music, Grades 5, 7 and 8; Library.
Sewing Instructor: Mrs. Eunice S. Hulbert, 546 Beulah St., Whitman.
Cooking Instructor: Mrs. Eveline B. McLure, North Carver.
Director of Music Education: Miss Barbara E. Trombley, 108 Maple Avenue, Bridgewater.
School Physician: W. Vernon Mayo, M. D., 119 Summer St., Kingston.
School Nurse: Madeline A. Baker, R. N., 72 South Main St.,
Advisory Committee for Practical Arts:
Mrs. Henry M. Shaw, Chairman, North Carver, Mass.
Mrs. Angelo J. Giberti, West Carver, R. F. D. No. 2, Middleboro, Mass.
Mrs. Toivo Erickson, South Carver, Mass.
Regional School District Planning Committee for Carver: Mr. Erwin K. Washburn, South Carver, Mass. Mrs. George Young, Carver, Mass. Mr. Franklin Wilbur, North Carver, Mass.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1956 Winter Term: Begins Tuesday, January 3; Closes Friday, April 13. Vacation: February 20-24; Closed Good Friday, March 30. Vacation: April 16-20.
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1956 Spring Term: Begins Monday, April 23; Closes June 8; Graduation, June 7; Holiday, May 30.
1956 Fall Term: Opens Wednesday, September 5; Closes Friday, December 21. Holidays: October 12; Novem- ber 12, 22 and 23; Teachers' Convention, October 19.
1957 Winter Term: Opens Wednesday, January 2.
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, 1956, without examination.
2. A child whose sixth birthday occurs in the two months after December 31st may be admitted the preceding September if readiness for school can be demonstrated by means of ap- propriate 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 school 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, December 28, 1955:
Voted: That the report of the Superintendent of Schools
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and other officers of the school system be hereby adopted as the report of the School Committee for 1955.
ERWIN K. WASHBURN, Chairman ELIZABETH F. RYDER, Secretary FRANK H. COLE
School Committee.
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FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1955
Appropriation $114,604.00 $111,829.85 $2,774.15
E. Tillson Pratt Fund 225.28
$225.28
$114,829.28
$111,829.85
$2,774.15 $225.28
Expenditures
SUPERVISION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
School Committee, Salaries
$416.74
School Committee, Expenses
57.46
Superintendent, Salary
2,368.38
Superintendent, Travel
233.33
Union Office, incl. Clerical Assistance
and Administrative Expense
1,864.59
School Census
30.00
Attendance Officer
75.00
$5,045.50
EXPENSES OF INSTRUCTION
Supervisors
$312.00
Teachers and Substitutes
38,410.57
Textbooks
379.82
Supplies
1,857.39
$40,959.78
OPERATING EXPENSES
Janitors' Salaries
$4,027.50
Janitors' Fees: Non-school Activities
45.50
Janitors' Supplies
977.92
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Fuel 1,863.39
Lights, Tel., Misc.
1,177.77
$8,092.08
MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY
Repairs and Miscellaneous $1,834.99 $1,834.99
AUXILIARY AGENCIES
Transportation - High School
$9,704.18
Transportation - Elementary School
11,750.73
Insurance
656.53
Library
42.45
Health
1,006.40
Tuition: High Schools
18,137.22
Tuition: Elementary School
98.60
Misc. Auxiliary Agencies
159.31
$41,555.42
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Tuition, Day School
$4,470.21
Tuition, Evening School
5.70
Transportation
6,116.40
Practical Arts
385.50
$10,977.81
OUTLAYS
New Construction
$538.10
New Equipment
2,826.17
$3,364.27
Total Expenditures $111,829.85
Table of Reimbursement
and other income earned on account of Schools during the fiscal year 1955, as certified to the Superintendent of Schools,
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by the Department of Education, or billed by the local De- partment to other agencies:
School Aid (Chap. 70, G. L., as amended)
$11,700.79
Transportation (Chap. 71, G. L., as amended )
19,138.41
Superintendent of Schools, Small Towns Vocational Education:
1,300.67
Tuition
$1,007.46
Transportation
2,029.78
Evening Practical Arts
308.48
3,345.72
Other:
Wards, Division of Child Guardianship
Tuition
$2,134.70
Transportation
622.19
2,756.89
Total $38,242.48
Reimbursement, Schoolhouse Construction
(Chap. 645, Acts of 1948) Payment No. 5 $5,127.32
NET COST OF SCHOOLS, YEAR 1955
Total expense, all types of school
$111,829.85
Total of reimbursements and earnings 38,242.48
Net Cost $73,587.37
ESTIMATES of School Aid and other reimbursements to be received in 1956, these estimates being furnished as required under Section 10, Chap. 643, Acts of 1948.
School Aid (Chap. 70, G. L., as amended) $9,685.79*
Transportation (Chap. 71, G. L., as amended) 19,700.00
Superintendent of Schools, Small Towns 1,300.00
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Other Anticipated Income:
Division of Child Guardianship
State Wards:
Tuition
$1,380.00
Transportation
450.00
1,830.00
Vocational Education:
Tuition
$1,589.51
Transportation
3,119.32
Evening Practical Arts
246.50
4,955.33
$37,471.12
* This figure subject to change if the Legislature revises the table of equalized valuations for the towns. present table set by Acts of 1945.
Reimbursement on Account of Schoolhouse Construction (Chap. 645, Acts of 1948), 6th payment, $5,127.32.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee:
The report of the superintendent is written as one which is all-inclusive for the work of the schools, in accordance with the vote of the committee as recorded elsewhere here. Your at- tention is called to the reports of the several other persons having administrative or supervisory responsibilities within the schools as their portions of the report cover certain aspects of the work not considered here at length.
We have continued in 1955 to try to provide as good a school system as possible consistent with moderate expenditures. In- creasing costs are the problem of all school systems and there is no way in which Carver can escape the trend. In consider- ation of this, however, one should make due allowance for the aid and reimbursement which comes in to the town on account of the support of schools. In the case of this town, the regular amounts, not including reimbursement for school building con- struction, amount to about 33.5% of the entire amount spent for all pupils, both in town and out. Such an aid factor can- not be overlooked. We shall find the problems of adequate teachers salaries will become increasingly more pressing as time goes on. If we are to retain the good teachers for service in Carver, we shall have to meet the competition. Actually, there is little or no value in having a staff which is subject to change each year. Good teaching, year after year, gives stability to the program. The fact that Carver is a Class IV town (a town of less than 5,000 persons and not maintaining a high school) has little bearing upon what it shall pay for teaching service. The more significant fact is found in its geo- graphical position, in that, in order to obtain sufficient and competent replacements as vacancies occur, the standards
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taken for salaries will have to be those of the surrounding communities.
This record should include the various changes in staff which took place during the year just closed, as follows:
Elections-
Daniel F. Marcelonis (a graduate of Boston Teachers' College, with two years experience as teacher of Industrial Arts at Wilton, N. H.) as instructor in Industrial Arts and Science, and Ass't. Principal.
Anna E. Wright (a graduate of Troy Conference Academy, with courses at Hyannis Normal School, and five years ex- perience in Massachusetts and Vermont) as teacher for grade 6.
Richard J. Eldridge (a graduate of Gordon College and with courses at Bridgewater Teachers' College) as teacher of grade 5 (one section).
George W. McCarthy ( a graduate of Boston Teachers' College, with Master's Degree) to take up the position formerly held by Mr. Marcelonis.
Part-time positions filled were as follows:
Mrs. Eunice S. Hulbert, Sewing, Girls', 7 and 8, one day, weekly, for a half year.
Mrs. Eveline B. McLure, Cooking, Girls', 7 and 8, one day, weekly, for a half year.
Miss Barbara E. Trombley, Director of Music Education, a graduate of the Boston University College of Music, and employed also part-time in the other towns of this Union.
Resignations-
Mr. Walter S. Foster, just after the opening of school in the calendar year 1955. Mr. Foster found adjustment to teach- ing difficult and left the profession.
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Mrs. Constance V. Holmes, at the close of the session in June, to move with her family to British Columbia, Canada. It was regretted very much to have to receive Mrs. Holmes' resignation, as she always maintained a cheerful and co- operative spirit with her fellow-teachers and carried out lessons taught in an interesting and efficient manner.
Mrs. Mary E. Giberti, to take up work in the Wareham Schools. Plans had been made for Mrs. Giberti to open the work in Special Education for the town as she had demonstrated ability in this field. Her resignation to teach elsewhere re- quired a change in plans as qualified candidates were not available at that time.
Mr. Noel Chadwich, to enter teaching in a private school.
Mr. Daniel F. Marcelonis, to teach in Dedham, where he was attracted by a much more generous salary program.
Even with the changes noted above, we are able to maintain a stable program only because of those people who are with us from year to year, who adapt themselves to new teaching assignments as vacancies occur, and who cheerfully try to make the changes which come to the school staff, take place with as little interruption as possible to the life of the pupils. In the end, the pupils are the losers when there is a high percentage of change in a school faculty.
Considerable thought, time and effort had been placed in plans for organization of the Special Education program but when it became known that the teacher whom we had planned on having was to go elsewhere, it seemed useless to continue further plans for the school year immediately ahead. There is definite need for this sort of work done in the school. This type of instruction is not limited only to those who most ob- viously need the program but can as well be expanded to in- clude those children who will make good progress by appli- cation of what we can call remedial teaching. Group instruction is without doubt the most economical way for children to be
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taught and the average child can make reasonable progress under such a system; but there are those children who cannot be reached except by having a higher percentage of a teacher's undivided time and attention. When this is possible, even those children whom we find making no progress in the group instruction plan can make a gain on a more individual basis. Indirectly, to aid such children and to help all, for the progress of a group of pupils which has a few such learners with it is more limited than when those who need individual instruction can have it on a partially separated basis. This is one matter which will have to have attention in the year ahead, if at all possible. The law makes it mandatory if there are five or more such pupils and the generous amount of state aid on such a program makes it of relatively little expense to the town. The lack of qualified teachers for the program is one of the greatest handicaps to it today.
As known to residents of the town, a change had to be made for the accommodation of the high school pupils, beginning in September, and the Silver Lake Regional School accepted the Carver pupils for this school year and have also agreed to ac- cept them for the school year 1956-57. Pupils who would be of senior rating at the Plymouth High school were offered a choice between finishing there or attending the Silver Lake school. Five of a group of seventeen made this choice, with the previous knowledge that such a decision carried with it the fact they would be responsible for their own transportation. We are pleased with the program the pupils receive at Silver Lake; the atmosphere there is friendly and helpful. It provides Carver parents with an opportunity to know in advance of making decisions, the possibilities which such a school can offer.
A problem in connection with attendance to Silver Lake re- lating to the North Plympton railroad crossing which the buses must use has had the attention of the committee members and the superintendent. Assurance has been received from the railroad management that defects in the warning flashers at
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the crossing will have attention immediately and, with proper care, there should be no undue risk involved.
Bids have been solicited this year for many of the larger purchases and for the revised transportation routes. In the case of the transportation bids, the same were posted and ad- vertised in the town. A complete record of the bids filed and action taken by the committee is in the records kept by the secretary of the committee. A considerable amount of plan- ning and new routing was necessary this year, as the change in high school accommodations left two buses in the same position in relation to the several parts of the town, where formerly it was possible to route the two buses back into the town by different routes. The changes, however, worked out well, and the increased expenditures have been at a minimum. The Committee also approved extra transportation for the high school pupils from Silver Lake, in keeping with the pattern which the Regional Committee there provides for its own pupils. This enables the local pupils here to take advantage of those school activities which would come after hours and for which it would be nearly impossible for Carver pupils to take part, if the service were not available. Successful bidders this year were Mrs. Sarah Holmes, Mr. C. Theo Thomas and Mr. Aime Desroches. For all the various transportation ser- vices furnished to pupils, five school buses and one station wagon are used. Contracts now in force will run to June, 1958, except that for Vocational transportation, which, having been let in 1954, will expire in 1957.
Bids were also called for for the following items: fuel, bottled gas, piano, snow thrower and exterior painting, so as to enable the committee to obtain best price in relation to quality of merchandise and service rendered.
The long-range program of repairs and maintenance which the committee and superintendent have worked out was started this year with the painting of the exterior trim work of the en- tire building; the kitchen was also included. Over the next
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two or three years the several sections of the interior must be done if we are to keep the building in first class appearance. The fact we have superior janitor service and care helps to extend the time when interior renovations are necessary, but all property eventually comes to the need; good repainting, taken on schedule, can be less expensive than a haphazard hit- or-miss plan. Other repairs included the usual maintenance and cleaning work done by the janitors in the summer and, year round. The outside drives were recoated with a sealer to prevent oil damage, seams and expansion cracks were filled, and arrangements made for water-proofing certain of the brick areas where evidence has appeared that such a need must be met. Repairs are made to the mechanical devices, heating system, etc., as the need arises.
Among the miscellaneous items to be recorded should be noted the pupil insurance plan was approved for continued use, the Practical Arts program carried on through the con- tinued offering of Clothing classes, I and II, and a limited amount of clerical time will be provided for the school prin- cipal beginning in the next year.
The Committee has met with the Auditorium Committee from time to time, as necessary, to revise the rules as the need indicated. The insurance program has been kept up-to-date on the school property, with policies being renewed on a five- year basis as the old ones expire. Some thought and study has been placed on the matter of landscaping the grounds around the building. A plan has been completed and will be for use when funds are available. The teachers' room at the school has been adequately and properly equipped in keeping with the needs and purposes of such a room and the Domestic Arts room has been equiped with necessary dishes for dinner ser- vice for occasions which are not connected with the school lunch program.
We are endeavoring to provide the pupils with as well- rounded a program of elementary education as possible. The
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interest and willingness which the principal and teachers show in carrying out their daily work is a strengthening force for the school program. With the efforts of all concerned unified to the common task, we can look forward to the goal of an ade- quate and well-planned program of education for all concerned in the years ahead.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. AUSTIN,
Superintendent of Schools, Union No. 37
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE GOVERNOR JOHN CARVER SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The school year of 1954-1955 partially covered in my report of last year formally closed with the graduation exercises held on Thursday evening, June 8, 1955. A student written play, "Thomas Jefferson and Education" was presented under the direction of Mrs. Constance Holmes. Readings from Stephen Vincent Benet's "John Brown's Body" were given, coached by Mrs. Alice Shurtleff. The American Legion Essay Award was won by Roswitha Bernhardt. A list of graduates follows:
Roger Amado d
Paul Richard Lopes a
Joyce Ellen Andrade a Sandra Maria Lopes a
Roswitha Edda Bernhardt a Edwin William Maki b
Joan Leslie Cannon a Robert George Quimby c
Ruth Anne Dunklee a William John Quimby C
Robert Kenneth Gholson a Wm. Richard Sawkiewicz a
Virginia May Gould a Francis Roy Silva a
Michael Eric Halunen a Janice Ann Theresa Silva a
Kathleen Elizabeth Hollis C Clarence Theo Thomas, Jr. a
Bette Jane Johnson a Kathleen Gibbs Weston a
Carl David Johnson b Jane Williams a
Charles Arthur Kallio 2
John Theodore Young a
a Silver Lake Regional High School
b New Bedford Vocational High School
c Moved from Carver
d Not enrolled in school
The opening of the school year in September found us faced with our usual problem of the uneven distribution of pupils among the grades of the school: our smallest grade numbered
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28 pupils, our largest numbered 40 pupils. As in the past years grades one and two have been divided among three teachers. A two division fifth grade was continued as of the previous year. According to the figures on hand at the closing of the year in June the incoming eighth grade was to number forty pupils, but September's opening found us with an enrollment of thirty-six. Even with the reduced size of the grade, two sections were warranted as the class contained an unusual number of over-age pupils. Of the thirty-six enrolled, thirteen were thirteen years or younger, eight were fifteen years or over. Any attempt to combine the grade would have slowed up the progress of too many pupils. All other grades are un- divided.
Some changes have been made in subject arrangement. Up to now the girls of grades seven and eight have been combined in the art work. This year the increase in enrollment has made such an arrangement impractical. The work in home econom- ics is no longer carried on by a regular full time member of the staff. During the first half of the year sewing has been taught by Mrs. Eunice Hulbert. Mrs. Eveline McLure is to teach cooking for the last half of the year. An introductory shop course is being offered to the boys of grade six. Mrs. Marion Griffith is now assigned to one of the sections of grade eight.
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