USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1930-1939 > Part 65
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Massachusetts Savings Bank Trust
Clara Howard
$ 150.00
$ 3.00
$ 153.00
$ 3.00
$150.00
Henry Wight
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
N. A. Stone
50.00
1.00
51.00
1.00
50.00
George Morrill
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Obed Hartshorn and Spear
200.00
4.00
204.00
4.00
200.00
Seth Maker
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Albion C. Maker
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Keyes-Gilley
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Benjamin Chenery
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
69
CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS-Continued Massachusetts Savings Bank Trusts
Interest
Name of Fund
Original Fund
for 1939
Total
Expended
Balance to Credit of Fund
A. C. Shumway
$ 150.00
$ 3.00
153.00
$ 3.00
$ 150.00
Emma Rhodes
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
E. P. Tucker
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Oliver A. Clark
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
F. Sablone
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Amelia Everett
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
George Emerson
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
E. V. Mitchell
500.00
10.00
510.00
10.00
500.00
Sarah G. Shumway
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
George E. Pettis
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
J. Augustus Fitts
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
John H. Pember
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Bruce and Fisher
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
John H. Gould
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
C. M. Clark
150.00
3.00
153.00
3.00
150.00
Joseph A. Allen
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Washburn Lot
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Susan B. Ware
50.00
1.00
51.00
1.00
50.00
John Schools
50.00
1.00
51.00
1.00
50.00
Baxter Lot
300.00
6.00
306.00
6.00
300.00
Edmund I. Chenery
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Alice D. Sewall
200.00
4.00
204.00
4.00
200.00
Susan I. Woods
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
John M. Richardson
500.00
10.00
510.00
10.00
500.00
Edmund Bullard
50.00
1.00
51.00
1.00
50.00
Daniels S. Webster
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Charles J. Sawyer
200.00
4.00
204.00
4.00
200.00
James W. P. Dyer
50.00
1.00
51.00
1.00
50.00
John B. Coombs
50.00
1.00
51.00
1.00
50.00
John Balch
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
William Salisbury
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
George H. Wight
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
James T. Allen
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
William Crane
50.00
1.00
51.00
1.00
50.00
Noah Allen
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Henry J. Dunn
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Francis S. Wight
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
John Sullivan
50.00
1.00
51.00
1.00
50.00
Soldiers' Lot
700.00
14.00
714.00
14.00
700.00
Moses Bullard
200.00
4.00
204.00
4.00
200.00
Francis Mason
200.00
4.00
204.00
4.00
200.00
Francis E. Donlan
50.00
1.00
51.00
1.00
50.00
70
CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS-Continued Massachusetts Savings Bank Trusts
Interest
Name of Fund
Original Fund
for 1939
Total
Expended
Balance to Credit of Fund
Samuel Ellis
$
100.00
$ 2.00
$ 102.00
$ 2.00
$ 100.00
Orion Wight
200.00
4.00
204.00
4.00
200.00
Moses F. Clark
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
$ 7,300.00
$146.00
$ 7,446.00
$146.00
$ 7,300.00
Home Savings Bank
Nancy H. Curtis
$ 50.00
$ 1.00
$ 51.00
$ 1.00
$ 50.00
Mary M. Phelps
50.00
1.00
51.00
1.00
50.00
Eliza E. Williams
475.00
9.50
484.50
9.50
475.00
George C. Davis
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Daniel D. Curtis
500.00
10.00
510.00
10.00
500.00
Joseph Clark
100.00
2.00
102.00
2.00
100.00
Ellenwood Lot
300.00
6.00
306.00
6.00
300.00
$ 1,575.00
$ 31.50
$ 1,606.50
$ 31.50
$ 1,575.00
71
TOWN DEBT
Notes due 1940
Water Mains
$ 1,000.00
School House
5,000.00
Water System
10,000.00
South Street Water Extension
1,000.00
Emergency Loan-Chapter 44, Section 8, Clause 9
1,000.00
Notes due 1941
Water Mains
1,000.00
School House
5,000.00
Water System
10,000.00
South Street Water Extension
1,000.00
Emergency Loan-Chapter 44, Section 8, Clause 9
1,000.00
Notes due 1942
Water Mains
1,000.00
Water System
10,000.00
Notes due 1943
Water Mains
1,000.00
Water System
10,000.00
Notes due 1944
Water System
10,000.00
Notes due 1945
Water System
10,000.00
Notes due 1946
Water System
10,000.00
Notes due 1947
Water System
10,000.00
Notes due 1948
Water System
10,000.00
Notes due 1949
Water System
10,000.00
Notes due 1950
Water System
10,000.00
Notes due 1951
Water System
8,000.00
$136,000.00
BESSIE L. HAMANT, Town Treasurer
Correct: F. M. BIBBY, Town Accountant
72
MONEY BORROWED BY THE TREASURER, JANUARY 1, 1939 TO DECEMBER 31, 1939
Date
Purpose
Amount $10,000.00
Rate of Interest 229% .229% .229%
January 15, 1940
June
10, 1939
Anticipation of Taxes
10,000.00
January 15, 1940
The Second National Bank The Second National Bank
June
10, 1939
Anticipation of Taxes
10,000.00
January
15, 1940
The Second National Bank
October
20,1939
Emergency Loan-Chapter
1,000.00
1.50%
October
20,1940
Merchants' National Bank
October
20,1939
44, Section 8, Clause 9 Emergency Loan-Chapter 44, Section 8, Clause 9
1,000.00
1.50%
October
20, 1941
Merchants' National Bank
October
1,1939
South Street Water Ext.
1,000.00
1.50%
October
1,1940
Norfolk County Trust Co.
October
1, 1939
South Street Water Ext.
1,000.00
1.50%
October
1,1941
Norfolk County Trust Co.
December 14, 1939
Anticipation of Taxes
10,000.00
164%
November 15, 1940
Norfolk County Trust Co.
December 14, 1939
Anticipation of Taxes
10,000.00
164%
November 15, 1940
Norfolk County Trust Co.
December 14, 1939
Anticipation of Taxes
10,000.00
164%
November 15, 1940
Norfolk County Trust Co.
BESSIE L. HAMANT, Town Treasurer
Correct: F. M. BIBBY, Town Accountant
Date of Maturity
Borrowed from
June
10, 1939
Anticipation of Taxes
73
SCHEDULE OF TOWN PROPERTY Real Estate
Town House
$100,000.00
Library
31,000.00
Ralph Wheelock School
20,000.00
Hannah Adams Pfaff School
75,000.00
Land in Walpole
150.00
Water Department, 16 acres
1,300.00
Water Department, Pumping Station
1,250.00
Water Department, Spring House
150.00
Town Storehouse
3,500.00
$232,350.00
Personal Property
Town House, furnishings and equipment
4,000.00
Library, furnishings and equipment
4,000.00
Ralph Wheelock School, furnishings and equipment
4,000.00
Hannah Adams Pfaff School, furnishings and equip- ment
5,500.00
Town Clock
150.00
Highway Department, equipment
10,000.00
Forestry Department, equipment
1,000.00
Water Department, equipment
3,530.00
Cemetery Department, equipment
200.00
Sewer Department, equipment
150.00
Fire Department, equipment
12,100.00
44,630.00
Insurance on Town Property
Town House
72,000.00
Hannah Adams Pfaff School
64,000.00
Ralph Wheelock School
30,000.00
Library
29,000.00
Town Clock
120.00
Town Storehouse
2,500.00
197,620.00
On contents of above buildings
32,000.00
All companies participate pro rata in any loss of Town buildings or their contents.
Boiler Insurance
Ralph Wheelock School, Hannah Adams Pfaff School, Town House 10,000.00
74
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
1933 Taxes
Balance $ 8.80
Subject to Abatement $ 8.80
1934 Taxes
Balance January 1, 1939 Adj.
266.40
Collections
$ 63.00
70.27
Abatements Balance
100.82
$ 336.67
$ 336.67
1935 Taxes
Balance January 1, 1939 $ Adj.
1,208.36
Collections
$ 307.62
16.64
Abatements
486.01
Balance
431.37
$ 1,225.00
$ 1,225.00
1936 Taxes
Balance January 1, 1939 $ Adj.
4,246.41
Collections
$ 3,109.83
380.79
Abatements
353.18
Balance
1,184.19
$ 4,627.20
$ 4,647.20
1937 Taxes
Balance January 1, 1939 $ 14,397.02
Collections
$ 9,108.03
Abatements
1,099.14
Tax Titles
515.04
Adj.
34.28
Balance
3,640.53
$ 14,397.02
$ 14,397.02
1938 Taxes
Balance January 1, 1939 $ 23,461.92 Adj. 261.07
Collections
$ 13,434.62
Abatements
551.55
Tax Titles
772.42
Balance
8,964.40
$ 23,722.99
$ 23,722.99
1939 Taxes
Commitments
$ 99,966.30
Collections
$ 71,219.63
Refunds
36.72
Abatements
1,337.58
Adj.
151.60
Balance
27,597.41
$100,154.62
$100,154.62
75
172.85
Old Age Tax, 1931
Balance January 1, 1939 $ Adj.
12.00 Balance
$ 16.00
4.00
$ 16.00
$ 16.00
Old Age Tax, 1932
Balance January 1, 1939 $ Adj.
14.00
Collections
$ 1.00
1.00
Balance
14.00
$ 15.00
$ 15.00
Old Age Tax, 1933
Balance January 1, 1939 $
36.00
Collections
$ 4.00
Balance
32.00
$ 36.00
$ 36.00
Motor Excise Tax, 1932
Balance January 1, 1939 $
82.13
Collections
$ 16.83
Abatements
36.75
Balance
28.55
$ 82.13
$ 82.13
Motor Excise Tax, 1933
Balance January 1, 1939 $
122.06
Collections
$ 9.30
Adj.
6.10
Abatements
44.16
Balance
74.70
$ 128.16
$ 128.16
Motor Excise Tax, 1934
Balance January 1, 1939 $
463.19
Collections
$ 12.62
Abatements
96.01
Adj.
3.02
Balance
351.54
$ 463.19
$ 463.19
Motor Excise Tax, 1935
Balance January 1, 1939 $ Adj.
646.57
Collections
$ 66.32
17.62
Balance
597.87
$ 664.19
$ 664.19
Motor Excise Tax, 1936
Balance January 1, 1939 $
1,265.65
Collections
$ 90.25
Adj.
24.19
Balance
1,199.59
$ 1,289.84
$ 1,289.84
76
Motor Excise Tax, 1937
Balance January 1, 1939 $ 1,863.52 Collections
$ 135.28
Refund
15.11 Adj. 26.72
Balance
1,716.63
$ 1,878.63
$ 1,878.63
Motor Excise Tax, 1938
Balance January 1, 1939 $ Adj.
796.71
Collections
$ 268.66
6.79
Balance
534.84
$ 803.50
$ 803.50
Motor Excise Tax, 1939
Commitments
$ 6,927.10
Collections
$ 5,352.72
Refunds
85.43
Abatements
242.96
Adj.
7.72
Balance
1,409.13
$ 7,012.53
7,012.53
Moth Taxes
Balance
$ 3.00
Balance
Sewer Assessments and Interest $ 373.58
The books of the Tax Collector were audited by the State Division of Accounts as of December 4, 1939 and as the result of minor adjustments and clerical errors which are included in the above report showed a net overpayment by the Collector to the Town of $69.19.
Due to lack of time from completion of the audit to date for getting this report to printers it is impossible to compile lists of Delinquent Accounts. These ac- counts were verified by the Auditors.
AMOS C. KINGSBURY, Collector of Taxes
77
Annual Report
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
and
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Year Ending December 31, 1939
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Harold F. Stevens, Chairman Mrs. Edmund Mortimer, Secretary Richard E. Johnson
Term expires 1942 Term expires 1941 Term expires 1940
Regular meetings first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 P.M.
Lyman R. Allen
Superintendent of Schools 19 Beech St., Framingham, Tel. Fram. 3735
High School Principal
Alton H. Hartford
North St.
Elementary School Principal
Mrs. Dorothy J. Brown
North St.
School Nurse
Mrs. Inez S. Kerr, R. N.
Miller St.
Janitors
John Dyer
Ernest Elsmore
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1940
2nd term
Jan. 2 to Feb. 16
7 weeks
3rd term
Feb. 26 to April 18
8 weeks
4th term
April 29 to June 21
8 weeks
1940-41
Ist term
Sept. 4 to Dec. 20
16 weeks
2nd term
Jan. 2 to Feb. 21
8 weeks
3rd term
Mar. 3 to April 18
7 weeks
4th term
April 28 to June 20
8 weeks
School Holidays: January 1; February 22; Good Friday (March 22, 1940); April 19; May 30; October 12; November 11; Thanksgiving and the day following.
No School Signal-Fire Alarm: 3 repeated 4 times at 7:45 A.M. Radio An- nouncement (WNAC).
81
TEACHERS' DIRECTORY, DECEMBER 31, 1939
Name
Position
Lyman R. Allen
Supt. of Schools
Diplomas and Degrees (Graduate study in parenthese) Bridgewater Tchrs. Coll. (4); Har- vard S.B .; Columbia, A.M .; (Harvard)
HANNAH ADAMS PFAFF (HIGH) SCHOOL
Alton H. Hartford
Principal; Science U. S. History Commercial
John S. Welch
Clifford W. Baker
Elsie E. W. Davis
Math .; History Vice-Principal English; Biology; Music
Boston Univ., A.B. (Boston Univ .; Mass. Univ. Ext.) Salem Tchrs. Coll. B.S. in Ed. (Boston Univ.) Boston Univ., S.B .; A.M. Univ. of Minn., Plymouth Normal (Harvard; Duluth St. Tchrs. Coll .; N. E. Conservatory; Mass. Univ. Ext.) Boston Tchrs. Coll .; B.S. in Ed .; M. in Ed. (Boston Coll.) Boston Univ., A.B. (Boston Univ.)
Mary E. Nichols
French; Latin
Anne H. Gray
English; Social Science
R. Estelle Harlow
Junior High; Social Studies and Music Commercial
Framingham Tchrs. Coll .; (Mass. Univ. Ext.)
Mary H. McCarthy
Boston Univ., B.S. in P.A.L. (Boston Univ., C.B.A.)
RALPH WHEELOCK SCHOOL
Dorothy J. Brown
Principal; Grade 6
Bridgewater Tchrs. Coll. (Univ. Ext .; Hyannis (S)).
Clara O. Young
Assistant
Cynthia F. Robbins
Grade 5
Elizabeth S. Buck
Grade 4
Elizabeth L. Crombie Grade 3
Rose Pilibosian
Grade 2
Anna M. Daddario
Grade 1
Evelyn H. Judd
Drawing Supervisor
Inez S. Kerr, R.N.
School Nurse
Boston Tchrs. Coll. (2) (Boston Univ .; Univ. Chicago) Tufts, A.B. (Hyannis) Collegiate Institute; North Adams Tchrs. Coll. (Mass. Ext.) Keene Normal (Mass. Univ. Ext.) Framingham Tchrs. Coll. B.S. in Ed. (Univ. Ext.) Hyannis Tchrs. Coll. (Univ. Ext., Harvard) Mass. Normal Art, B.S. in Ed .; (Normal Art; Holyoke; Quincy) Margaret Pillsbury General Hospi- tal, Concord, N. H. (3); Bellevue Hospital, N. Y. (3 mos.); Univ. N. H. Infirmary (1 yr.)
82
83
I. SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENSES OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Receipts:
Town Appropriation
Interest on Invested Funds
$ 31,000.00 114.46
Transfer from Highway Department
50.00
$31,164.46
Expenditures:
Expense of General Control
1,101.59
Expense of Instruction
22,185.49
Expense of Operating School
4,390.68
Maintenance
390.46
Auxiliary Expense
3,096.24
31,164.46
Reimbursements to Town Treasurer, not available to School Committee:
School Fund, Part I (on account of teachers' salaries)
2,917.30
School Fund, Part II (based on liberality of school appropriations)
2,234.24
On account of Superintendent's salary
483.33
Tuition of Pupils-State
511.22
Tuition of Pupils-Walpole
67.65
Total Reimbursement
6,213.74
Net Cost
24,950.72
II. DETAILS OF EXPENSE
1. Expense of General Control
Expenses of School Committee Clerical, supplies Salary of Superintendent Other expenses, clerical, travel, postage, etc.
$ 54.02
885.00
162.57
$ 1,101.59
2. Expense of Instruction
Elem. $8,961.64
High $11,710.30
Salaries of teachers Textbooks Supplies
349.84
234.12
451.83
477.76
9,763.31
12,422.18
22,185.49
3. Expense of Operating
Janitor's Wages:
Fred Dyer Guy Sinclair Ernest Elsmore
$1,250.00
$ 625.00
660.00
1,250.00
1,285.00
$ 2,535.00
84
Fuel Other Expense of Operation Water, light, telephone etc.
355.50
696.21
1,051.71
357.37
446.60
803.97
Total Expense of Operating
4,390.68
Maintenance and Repairs
222.66
167.80
390.46
4. Auxiliary Expense
Health, School Nurse and Physician
$ 413.47
$ 404.30
$ 817.77
Transportation
1,060.75
1,010.75
2,071.50
Miscellaneous, Graduation Expense, Printing
31.59
31.59
Library
7.90
Outlays
167.48
175.38
85
Total Auxiliary Expense
3,096.24
-
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Medfield:
The Committee feels that the following reports, for 1939, cover the various activities of our Schools and show you the type of work it is trying to do for our children. It hopes, during the coming year, to revise some of the courses in the High School so that pupils may be better prepared to meet the economic con- ditions when they graduate.
A problem not covered by the report is the condition of the Ralph Wheelock building, which is badly ventilated, inadequately lighted, and generally out of repair. The plumbing needs to be renewed, one boiler has not passed the in- spection of the insurance company, the building needs painting both inside and out, and new ceilings in several of the rooms.
The Committee feels that no more money than that required for the most necessary upkeep should be spent on this building if the Town hopes to build a new school within the next year or so. But, if this building is to be continued in service with all of its inadequacies, it must have major repairs made upon it, which will run into thousands of dollars.
The loyal and willing cooperation of our Superintendent, our Principals, and our Teachers has been appreciated by the members of this Committee .:
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. STEVENS, MIGNONETTE S. MORTIMER, RICHARD E. JOHNSON
1
86
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Medfield:
It is my privilege to present herewith the annual reports for 1939 of our schools and school officials.
Our real work has continued with slight interruption and with definite progress in accomplishment and school spirit. At the close of the school year in June Miss Mary E. Gallant left us to be married, after five years of service in elementary and high school departments. In her place we secured Miss Mary E. Nichols, with Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Boston Teachers College and with several years experience in Boston schools. Miss Harlow this year gives full time at the high school; this not only strengthens our work there but provides a better ratio of teachers to our increased number of pupils, as required in order to retain our Grade A rating. This rating, which we have regularly enjoyed, enables our graduates whom we certify as of A or B standing to enter college without examina- tion. As has been emphasized in previous reports, our high school is now really beyond its maximum capacity of pupils and of classes. Several recitations are of necessity in unsuitable places. If a larger enrolment does materialize next fall it will require still more desks and more lockers, although it is hard to see where the latter can be placed.
Judging by the numbers in the oncoming classes we may be near the peak in our high school. Perhaps our numbers will not be much increased. While still overcrowded it will not be impossible or force a radical change like a two-session plan. However our greater problem lies in the inadequacy of present accom- modations in kinds of offerings possible. Study of the distribution of our graduates for the last twenty years gives food for both congratulation and discouragement: almost 50% have gone on to other schools, some 22% to colleges which require high scholastic standing for admission, others to schools which offer specific train- ing without such entrance requirements. This is well above the State average for college admission. Nearly 3% have gone directly from our commercial courses into business. But with all this encouraging showing, 47% went into semi-skilled or unskilled jobs for which our school made no direct preparation (38%) or into no regular work (9%). A few less went to college and more into semi-skilled work if we include graduates of the last ten years only, thus showing the effect of the depression. Both figures reveal clearly the existence of that "other 50%" of pupils whose needs we signally failed to meet. They must stay in school until they are 16; they cannot find work before then; our homes expect them to graduate from high school; they in many cases do not expect school to give them practical help for life, hence too often they find little in school curricula really worth their doing or subjects worth while either in themselves or because they will prepare them for anything they want to do. They naturally then do what they have to, sliding by with the lowest marks which allow them to pass. They are not doing their best or taking responsibility. When free they will take such work as they find, learn their work in a few weeks on the job, then look for either promotion or other, better paid jobs.
In these respects Medfield is not unlike other communities and the country
87
at large. We face a new situation and the need of distinct adaptations. They call for clear thinking and courage. The following considerations may help:
1. Education, in simplest terms, is "helping little children to go alone and to do the work of the world." Schools should help in this.
2. The main business of the elementary grades is to train all children in the fundamentals which all adults need.
3. The high school should not teach all alike but should help each pupil discover his personal aptitudes and look toward the kind of life work which he can best do. It should halp him know how the work of the world is being done, how in- dus ries of many kinds are organized and conducted, their requirements and how to prepare for them; it should halp them respect all forms of honest work and workers and employers and feel eager to be producers, in organized in- dustry or society, in lines for which they are fitted. It should also teach to expend earnings intelligently; to live in and share in our democracy; and to appreciate and enjoy worth-while things in whatever leisure he earns.
4. The high school as first established was a pre-professional school. It aimed to fit for college (and so the professions to which college led) those who showed themselves fitted for such careers. All others worked on farms, apprenticed themselves to learn trades, built up business, and the like.
5. In relatively recent years this pre-professional high school has been supple- mented by trade schools. These, however, fit for skilled trades only and do not help the mass of workers.
6. Working conditions have changed. Farming has become highly specialized; families can no longer move West for free land and support themselves there; work in most lines is highly mechanized, specialized, routinized. Machine- work makes jobs scarce and, with smaller families, the proportion of adults to children is much increased. Hence youths cannot get work at the age when they begin to want to be self-reliant. They stay in school; and our high schools have doubled in number every ten years since 1890. We have eleven times as many high school pupils as in 1900. The high school of 1900-in fact what seems to adults as the typical high school-does not fit today's conditions.
In Town Meeting a year ago Medfield, in accordance with building surveys then reported, authorized a special committee to report on needs, plans, and costs of an adequate high school. No report has yet been made public, hence your Superintendent is not informed of the actions of this committee. He feels strongly that definite action should be taken at once. Well-considered plans can be matured so that the building can be undertaken as soon as decreased interest charges make it possible for the Town to assume new funded debt at almost no increase above the present-in 1941 or soon after. In this discussion and con- sideration full weight should be given to the needs of all classes of pupils; also to the continuing and perpetual cost of maintenance as well as first cost of con- struction. For a system the size of ours a single plant can offer ample accom- modations-public assembly hall, shops for all stages of work, playground and sport's field, heating plant, janitorial service, transportation of pupils at a main- tenance cost far less, year after year, than to have two separated buildings. A consolidated school on a new site would mean abandonment of both present build- ings-an unwarranted sacrifice in the case of the present high school unless a new use for the building can be found. Space is insufficient for a consolidated school
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on the Wheelock site unless at exorbitant cost for repairs and for additional land; that building would better be abandoned than modernized and its valuable lot be sold. There could be added a suitable high school building and an adequate assembly hall and gymnasium close to our present high school. The present building, bungalow in type, is particularly well adapted to the use of the ele- mentary grades; new buildings can be placed high enough to avoid danger of water and so planned as to make a satisfactory group architecturally. Enough land is available on Adams Street, of easy access to all parts of town and yet away from the much-traveled streets.
Almost one whole school generation has waited for us to provide enlarged opportunities; the class which entered first grade the month before the depression began will graduate from high school in little over a year. During all these years we have told them we could not yet afford it-and now we can never furnish it for them. What shall we do for all their successors?
It is gratifying to find these problems appeal more and more to Medfield people. Much credit is due the Parent-Teacher Association, with its increasing member- ship and influence. It always welcomes visitors; it is glad to include in its member- ship not only parents and teachers but all who are interested in our schools; it is the one way at present in which general understanding of our school problems can be developed. Grateful appreciation is hereby offered this Association, the Red Cross, and all teachers and workers in our schools for their whole-hearted, loyal efforts. Special thanks are due the Medfield-Framingham Club for the gift of books to the Ralph Wheelock School. To you as members of the School Com- mittee I extend the thanks of us all for your untiring efforts, your confidence, and your constant support.
Respectfully submitted, LYMAN R. ALLEN
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REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I submit the following report as principal of the Medfield High School for the year 1939.
In June a class of twenty-four was graduated with appropriate exercises, a copy of which will be found at the end of this report. Seven graduates went on to higher schools in September and one other expects to enter school in February. Most of those who did not continue their schooling have found either full- or part- time employment. At the graduating exercises Virginia Johnson received the Hannah Adams Club Scholarship and the Washington-Franklin History Medal. The Harvard Book Award presented by the Harvard Club of Boston to the most outstanding boy in the junior class was awarded to William S. Farmer, Jr.
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