USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1947-1951 > Part 5
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Reference Librarian
Elaine Van Norstrand Hilda Heather
General Assistant
Gertrude Peloquin
Acting children's librarian Janitor
Mary Ann Hazelton Romualdo Di Bonventura
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PART TIME STAFF
Phyllis Horne Lois LePage Marcia Small
Panyota Kraly Helen Rowley Barbara St. Martin
Respectfully submitted Elaine Van Nostrand Librarian
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LIBRARY DEPARTMENT TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY DEPARTMENT THE JACOB EDWARDS MEMORIAL LIBRARY 1947 Receipts and Expenditures 1948 Budget Estimate 1947 1947 1948 Receipts Expenditures Budget
ITEM
Town Appropriation
Regular a/c
12,000.000
Special (Equipment)
1,000.00
13,000.00
Less Refund to E.&D. a/c
169.74
12,830.26
Transfer to 1948 Special Appro. 1,000.00
11,830.26
MYNOTT FUND
Bal. Jan 1, 1947
55.81
Receipts 1947 20.00
75.81
Disbursements
30.98
30.98
Bal. Dec. 31, 1947
44.83
TRUSTEE FUNDS
Bal. Jan. 1, 1947
89.67
Receipts
Edwards Trusts 4,721.33
Bradford Trusts 97.36
Interest Spec. Res. 160.00
5,068.36
Trans. to Spec. Res. 1,000.00
4,068.36
Operating Balance
Dec. 31, 1947 743.17
3,325.19
3,325.19
SPECIAL RESERVE
Jan. 1, 1947
9,000.00
1947 Addition 1,000.00
10,000.00
Total 1947 Receipts
15,186.43
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ITEM
1948 1947 1947 Receipts Expenditures Budget
EXPENDITURES PAYROLL
101
Librarian
102 Assistant or Acting Librarian
103 Regular Employees
104 Part-time Employees
105 Sunday Opening
8,395.52
9,300.00
BUILDING OPERATION EXPENSES
150 Payroll - Janitor
151 Payroll - Janitor's Helper
301 Fuel
302 Light
303 Water
304 Supplies
305 Removal Ashes, etc.
306 Miscellaneous Expenses
3,254.93
3,500.00
MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES
401-402 Telephone, Stationery and Postage
403 Desk and Office Supplies
404 Audit
407 Miscellaneous
351
BUILDING MAINTENACE
47.07
200.00
352 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
61.16
75.00
BOOKS AND PERIODICALS
201 Books
2,878.20
3,000.00
202
Periodicals
250 BOOK REPAIRS
148.97
200.00
EQUIPMENT
501 Furniture & Fixtures
200.00
Totals
15,186.43
16,875.00
Special Appropriation for Building Repairs
and Improvements (A)
1,000.00
$17,875.00
(A) Special appropriation $5,000.00 requested by Trustees in 1941 to be appropriated by Town over a period of five years -at the rate of $1,000.00 each year .- Involves Lighting, Heat- ing, and Renovation.
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400.58
400.00
Due to existing conditions this appropriation was not granted for 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945 or 1946, but was granted for 1947. Trustees call atention to importance of this special appropria- tion being made available as soon as conditions warrant.
Approved by Trustees, The Jacob Edwards Memorial Library. W. M. EDWARDS GERTRUDE W. SMITH O. J. LALIBERTE JOHN O. MARTIN NERIO W. PIOPPI W. W. CRAWFORD ARTHUR KAY
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1947 Budget
SUMMARY 1947 Appropriation
1947 Expenditures
1948 Budget
Amount
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
Town-Normal Basis
12,000.00
12,000.00
12,000.00
12,800.00
71.6
Town-Special Fund
1,000.00
1,000.00
1,00.00
5.6
Town-Cr. to E&D a/c
169.74
Trustee Funds
13,000.00
73.1
13,000.00
73.1
11,830.26
77.9
13.800.00
77.2
(Edwards)
4,680.00
26.9
4,680.00
26.9
*3,325.19
21.9
4,075.00
22.8
Trustee Funds
30.98
.2
(Mynott)
Total
17,680.00
100.0
17,680.00
100.0
15,186.43
100.0
17,875.00
100.0
If the amount collected by Library and turned in to Town Treasurer ($1,340.94) is taken into consideration, the net cost to taxpayers for 1947 ($10,489.32) is 69.09% of the cost for year.
Attention is called to the estimated contribution for 1948 of $4,075.00 from Trust Funds .On this basis the town cost will be only 77.2% of total budget including the special appropriation of $1,000.00 if granted, and 71.6% if that special appropriation is not granted.
In the interests of the public the trustees urgently recommend that the facilities of the Library be expanded thru the addition of a building to be used as a children's library. Trustees apeared before the Southbridge Public Improvement Committee in 1947 and $48,500.00 has been set up as a capital outlay for 1948-all or a part of this amount to be raised by a Bond issue.
This needed Children's Library will not only develop reading habits for children, but will make available to adults the present facilities under more satisfactory conditions.
Difference between Appropriation of Trustee Funds and 1947 Disbursements is accounted for by Purchases of Equipment not received or billed in 1947 but will be paid from Trustee Funds in 1948. Also, payments for payroll from Trustee Funds were below our calculat ion due to the labor situation.
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ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE Southbridge, Mass.
For the year ending December 31, 1947
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1947-1948
Arthur H. Gaumond, Chairman, 45 South Street
Joseph S. Normandin, 14 Dresser Street
Hector M. LeClair, Lebanon Hill 1949
Ernest Boyer, 251 Marcy Street 1949
Paul H. Benoit, 236 West Street 1950
William J. Brunell, 153 Charlton Street
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
William L. Bourgeois
Residence, 172 Dresser Street
Office: High School Building, Tel. 365
The Superintendent's office is open on school days from 8:00 to 11.30 A. M. and 1:30 to 5:00 P. M .; Saturdays 9:00 to 11;30 A. M .; Monday and Wednesday evenings: 7:00 to 7:30 P. M. Superintendent is available for conference by ap- pointment. Call 365.
SUPERINTENDENT'S CLERK
Elsie A. Hofstra, 173 Sayles Street
Tel. 1108
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
Tel. 984
Dr. Adah B. Eccleston, 62 Elm Street Tel. 32
SCHOOL NURSE
Edna C. Pinsonneault, 110 Pine Street Tel. 2579
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
Raoul O. Lataille, 79 High Street SCHOOL CALENDAR-1948
Tel. 1674-J
Winter term, seven weeks
January 5-February 20
Spring term, seven weeks
March 1-April 16
Summer term, eight weeks
April 26-June 18
Fall term, sixteen weeks
September 8-December 23
NO-SCHOOL SIGNALS
2-2-2 on fire alarm at 7.15 A. M. will indicate no morning session for all grades. The street lights will be on for 5 minutes beginning at 7.15 A. M. also to indicate no morning session for all grades.
2-2-2 on fire alarm at 12.30 P. M. will indicate no afternoon session for all grades. The street lights will be on for 5 minutes beginning at 12.30 P. M. also to indicate no afternoon session for all grades.
Even if there has been no morning session, there will be an afternoon session unless signals are given.
The street light signals are provided through the courtesy of Worcester County Electric Company
"No-School" signals will be broadcast over WTAG at 6.55 A. M., 7.00 A. M., 7.28 A. M., and 7.45 A. M.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Southbridge:
The School Committee herewith submits the following report of the finances of the School Department of the Town for the year closing December 31, 1947.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
In Brief:
Total expenditures
Total receipts returned to Town Treasurer Net Cost to Town
351,168.36 69,567.81
281,600.51
In Detail:
Receipts to School Department appropriation
356,661.26
Smith-Hughes Fund, U. S. Government
4,865.18
George-Deen Fund
451.75
George Barden Fund
432.00
Balance Dec. 31, 1947
243.00
189.00
Total Funds Available
362,167.19
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1948 1948
1950
Dr. William Langevin, 24 Everett Street
EXPENDITURES
GENERAL CONTROL AUXILIARY AGENCIES:
Transportation
12,372.00
Tuition to other schools
436.84
Compulsory attendance
401.77
School doctors
1,861.87
School nurse
2,412.21
Medical expenses Total-Auxiliary Agencies
471.04
17,955.73
HIGH SCHOOL:
Instruction salaries
65,723.84
Instruction expenses:
Supplies
1,198.41
Textbooks
3,113.84
Other expenses
723.94
Operation of plant
11,445.78
Maintenance of plant
938.24
Capital outlay
463.50
Total-High School
83,607.55
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS:
Instruction salaries
114,104.08
Instruction expenses:
Textbooks
1,328.31
Supplies
3,912.23
Other expenses
481.52
Operation of plant
19,228.00
Maintenance of plant
2,449.18
Capital outlay
371.73
Total-Elementary Schools
141,875.05
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL:
Instruction salaries
61,853.29
Instruction expenses:
Textbooks
281.33
Supplies
3,533.52
Other expenses
1,315.79
Operation of plant
7,605.74
Maintenance of plant
1,550.09
Capital outlay
1,657.11
Total-Vocational School
77,796.87
ELEMENTARY EVENING SCHOOL:
Instruction salaries
1,441.50
Instruction expenses
28.93
Operation of plant
35.00
Total-Elementary Evening School EVENING VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
1,505.43
Instruction salaries
2,540.20
Instruction expenses:
Textbooks
26.77
Supplies
299.97
Operation of plant
213.25
Maintenance of plant
25.75
Capital outlay
4.08
Total-Evening Vocational School HOUSEHOLD ARTS :
3,110.02
Salaries 5,534.50
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10,608.75
Textbooks Supplies Maintenance
60.26 349.06 36.90
Total-Household Arts CONTINUATION SCHOOL: Salaries
307.83
Total-Continuation School
VISUAL AIDS:
Salaries
170.00
Supplies
29.40
Maintenance of plant
84.34
Capital outlay
406.20
Total - Visual Aids
689.94
PLAYGROUNDS:
2,828.15
Other expenses
1,309.39
Total-Playgrounds
188.11
RETIREMENT FOR SERVICEMEN CONTINGENCY FUND
3,404.82
Total Expenditures
351,168.36
Balance on Hand, December 31, 1947
10,998.83
$362,167.19
Massachusetts School Fund
13,252.50
Vocational School (Coop.) State Grant
12,332.15
Vocational School (Day) State Grant
1,924.33
Vocational School-General Vocational
9,696.97
Household Arts-State Grant
1,883.08
Continuation School-State Grant
226.92
Adult Civic Education
598.25
Vocational School (Evening) State Grant
424.58
Worcester Evening Industrial School
10.80
Lynn Vocational School
20.00
Boston Trade Preparatory Classes
50.06
Smith-Hughes, U. S. Government Fund
4,843.04
George-Deen Fund
399.00
George Barden Fund
432.00
High School Tuition
9,514.55
Elementary School Tuition
1,208.02
Vocational School Tuition
12,486.53
Cole Trade High School-Goods Sold
362.07
Refunds
145.96
Total
69,810.81
George Barden Fund-Balance, December 31, 1947
243.00
Total Receipts Returned to Town Treasurer
69,567.81
The fiscal year 1947 was a more effective one in the operation of our public schools. It was equally more challenging to the best efforts of every member of your School Committee and your Superintendent.
The following pages contain the record of activities which were made pos- sible by the generosity of the taxpayers of Southbridge. From this record the citizens of the town may learn what progress has been made and how the funds have been expended.
The citizens have shown their concern in the maintenance of a strong school
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5,980.72
307.83
Instruction salaries
4,137.54
system and have borne testimony that they realize how intimately the welfare of a community may be associated with its schools. Our citizens have demon- strated their willingness to provide the best in public education in spite of heavy costs. It was a gratifying expression of their confidence in their school officials; in turn, the members of your School Committee continue to show their willingness and their intent to give their utmost in dealing with the all- important task of teaching our children, as well as the effective management and operation of our school system in these troubled times.
In carrying out its many obligations, your School Committee has had to face and settle many problems of profound importance during the past year.
1. BUDGET. The budget for 1947 was substantially higher than that of any previous year. Operational costs have soared-and are not yet stabilized. The sums requested, far from being excessive, permitted the administration to undertake a reasonable amount of needed repairs and to resume some form of adequate maintenance so that the physical plant should not impede the educational processes.
Two special articles in the Town Warrant permitted the school department to meet the minimum requirements of the Massachusetts Departments of Health and Public Safety, by making the necessary alterations and renova- tions at Marcy Street School, and by installing "emergency lighting" in certain public school buildings. A third article permitted the rebuilding in part and the improvement of the playground area at West Street School. The overall school costs to the town for 1947 were further raised by the inclusion of the needed funds to meet the deficit of 1946, as voted at the Special Town Meeting in December, 1946.
2. SALARIES. The problem of salary readjustment has given the School Committee great concern. It is fortunate that our school system already has in effect the "single salary schedule" which is in operation since 1943. It now meets the requirements of recent enactment by the Legislature, General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 40, as amended and this was the law that the voters sanctioned by a substantial majority at the last election.
The problem is actually to place teachers' salaries, as well as those of other school personnel on an equitable basis with those of other occupations. Much has been done, and is being done in the state and in the nation to increase the salaries of our public school teachers to the level of a profession. Southbridge must remain within reasonable limits while maintaining a position commensurate with its resources, and comparable to other cities and towns of like size throughout the Commonwealth.
For the many other considerations that could be made at this time, particu- larly from the educational standpoint, your attention is called to the report of the Superintendent, and the heads of the various departments. We are certain that much has been accomplished and that marked progress is being duly made in the improvement of our entire educational system.
We are only too well aware of the fact that a large proportion of the town tax is required for school purposes. We are equally certain that every penny is put to good use. We must consider the school appropriation not as a tax but as an investment. Are we not dealing in our most precious commodity-our chil- dren-and we anticipate a good return on our investment in the development of the intelligent citizens of tomorrow.
In conclusion, I wish to express my intense appreciation to my colleagues on the School Committee for their staunch support. I wish to join the members of the Committee in expressing our appreciation to our Superintendent, Mr. William L. Bourgeois, for his invaluable assistance, and to the entire personnel of the School Department for every conscientious effort and all efficient work during the past year. Through the efforts of all it has been possible to main- tain and even raise the desired standards in our school system. We are indebted to the other Town Departments who always extend courteous cooperation in our mutual relations.
Respectfully submitted ARTHUR H. GAUMOND Chairman, School Committee
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There are also plans in the High School to see materialize a school BAND. The activities to defray the expense of instruments, and of uniforms later, are being sponsored by the Southbridge Rotary Club, to whose members we are deeply grateful.
THE SCHOOL BUDGET
The Town Meeting of March 1947, voted the School Department the largest amount ever appropriated for general school purposes. It became possible to initiate a more nearly proper and adequate operation of the Public School system.
In meeting his sacred obligations, the taxpayer has assumed a tremendous burden. Too long has real estate been made to bear the brunt of this burden. As educators and administrators, we are well aware of this fact; we must con- stantly study the source from which school funds are derived. Definite plans have been made and bills engrossed to seek relief from the Commonwealth at the coming session of the Legislature by some form of financial aid, commonly called STATE AID, that the burden of educational costs may be more adequate- ly distributed. With the combined efforts of the officers of the Massachusetts Teachers' Federation and the Massachusetts Association of School Superindent- ents, along with other interested groups, we are waging a valiant battle. It is recognized that Education is a State function; the State must provide some form of financial relief to the taxpayer. We are continuing our indomitable efforts to that end.
The Estimate of Expenditures for the fiscal year 1948 shows the following increases:
Salaries All Other Expenses
57,922.98
SALARIES
1947 $285,514.91
1948 $327,198.67 61,085.00
Increases $41,683.76 3,162.02
After a detailed study of salary schedules in communities comparable to Southbridge, the budget by 1947 made provisions for the revised salaries, as voted in the School Committee on December 11, 1946. This meant an actual increase of $350 to bring our newly established maximums to:
$2400 with less than 4 years preparation
$2700 with the Bachelor's degree $3000 with the Master's degree
The Trade School teachers salaries were set at $3200 to $3400 depending on re- quirements of the State Department of Education.
We are one of the few school systems that are already enjoying the benefits of a "single salary schedule." It would perhaps have been a greater burden for our town to meet the present requirements of the so-called "equal pay" law (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 40, as amended).
In line with a nation-wide trend, due to the inexorable change in economic conditions, teachers everywhere have asked for an upward revision in the salary schedule. Southbridge must maintain a reasonable position, while taking into account its ability to meet the economic level to which professional people are entitled. The School Committee found it again reasonable to grant a temporary cost-of-living adjustment of $200, subject to increase or decrease, according to the official cost-of-living index for the State of Massachusetts, and subject to further revision pending "State Aid" for education. This was voted by the School Committee on December 19, 1947.
With the readjustment of the teachers' economic status, the community must expect better service for better pay for all its employees. Higher salaries taken to bridge the gap between theory and practice, through refresher courses, cannot be maintained or improved unless they are justified by increased ef- ficiency throughout the educational process. The necessary measures will be or new training, based on the needs of this generation. MAINTENANCE
elaborate program of implementation and maintenance. Although the greatest
The slight increase in "all other" expenses is obviously not conducive to an nd textbooks, fuel and light, to mention only a few, it has been possible to
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Mr. Arthur H. Gaumond Chairman, School Committee
Southbridge, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Gaumond:
It is my happy privilege to submit herewith a second annual report, which becomes the sixty-third in the series of reports by the Superintendents of the Southbridge Public Schools.
That this past year has been an exacting and challenging one, is actually an understatement. Our bounden duty as executive officer of the School Committee is to carry out scrupulously those policies that the committee has found wise to formulate. Our avowed purpose has been to revise, reconstruct where ne- cessary, and merge the several phases of administraion in our school system into a purposeful unit.
Progress is gradual, not rapid, but something has definitely been accomp- lished. We may not have discovered in our time the perfect answer to all our problems, but these will continue to exact our strictest attention to the end that all faith and confidence in our administration shall be jusified.
Each day in our schools the World of Today rests an adult hand lightly but meaningfully, on the small shoulder of the World of Tommorrow and points to the path of learning and good citizenship. Although this duty is discharged without fanfare by the public school system, the citizens of Southbridge have not lost sight of the fact that the public schools belong to all; they are the responsibility of each and evryone.
It is true that the public schools are only what the citizens of a community want and will provide. Our citizens have exemplified their deep interest in their schools by appropriating funds sufficient to meet the exacting demands of these inflationary times. Operational costs have soared to unreasonable heights, but our every request will remain within reasonable bounds. The taxpayer has un- begrudgingly met his obligations. His tax dollar is his investment in his com- munity. Our every endeavor is pledged to the task of procuring the best divi- dends for this investment.
By concerted effort, these dividends from our common investment will serve to bolster our strength in our fight against the forces of evil at work in our present-day world. There is so much confusion at home and abroad. Could it be that our spiritual values are deteriorating. We are faced with a new set of cultural values. There is need of new and much broader concepts of education and human relations. We must view the present as a period in which everyone who is mentally fit must be alert, informed and aggressively active to insure our survival as a nation. We need more than ever the full functioning of our educa- tional system, guided by an enlightened citizenry and conscientious educators. Our community will be justifiably proud to have afforded to its future citizens the best of every educational opportunity. ENROLLMENT
The enrollment in the Public Schools on October 1, 1947 was 1788 as com- pared with 1853 on October 1, 1946.
The enrollment in the Elementary Schools on October 1, 1947 was 1091 as compared with 1077 on October 1, 1946.
The increased birthrate, as established by national statistics, began to show its effects only slightly in our school system. It was necessary to organize only one additional first grade, that at the Eastford Road School. An increase in en- rollment has to be anticipated at all times. Records must be kept of the number of births in any one year in order to determine the number of children entering our school system six years hence. Records are also being developed to show the number of pupils entering the various schools, whether public or parochial.
The annual census is taken at the beginning of each school year of children of school age. This year the new census includes children of all pre-school ages, in order to help in planning what measures are necessary to meet the increased grade enrollment of a few years hence. It may be necessary to re-define the
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districts served by each elementary school in order to take duvalllage os als available building space.
ATTENDANCE
Attention is directed to the report of the attendance officer. More and better cooperation is urged on the part of some parents in certain acute situations where records show a definie lack of understanding. It will always be sound ad- ministrative procedure to expect that parents will assume the responsibility of seeing to it that their children are in school, and on time, unless there are legitimate reasons for absence, such as illness or family emergency. The proper significance must always be attached to even the least number of days lost from school. Repeated absences are definitely detrimental to the pupil in so many ways.
CURRICULUM
Th educational offerings throughout our school system have been intensi- fied, rather than multiplied. The exigencies of the last few years have produced what seemed to be discrepancies in the grade levels that tend to disturb well- established and definite standards. Our first and most pressing problem was to fill the gaps, if they were found to exist. It meant attacking our problem in all the grades, one to twelve, from the remedial standpoint, of instituting a thorough REMEDIAL PROGRAM. Perhaps only to resume the teaching of phonics in the lower grades will procure a more solid foundation for our revised reading program. Remedial work is being intensified in all subjects. The intro- duction of the new PRIMARY CURRICULUM of the State Department of Education will serve to coordinate efforts in each level of each grade. The interest of all the teachers concerned in this phase of our work is highly com- mendable. This will assure first a greater degree of uniformity in each corres- ponding grade in all the elementary schools.
Aside of the remedial work being conducted in the High School, intense study has been given to the making of appropriate changes in program offering. Our purpose is to make each course terminal in itself, that is, to give each pupil a more definite preparation toward a more definite career. Just so, the COL- LEGE PREPARATORY COURSE is terminal in itself in that it prepares to meet the entracne requirements of several types of colleges. The COMMER- CIAL COURSE is terminal in that it prepares those pupjls to enter gainful employ at the conclusion of the course. But in order to enbance the value of the commercial course, a plan for adding a "COOPERATIVE BUSINESS TRAINING" period is being worked out with representatives of local industry and commerce. This plan will provide practical training for commercial seniors in order that the work of these pupils may be measured under conditions of actual working responsibility.
Following a well defined trend in education it will become necessary to drop eventually the GENERAL COURSE, and replace it, for the boys, by some plan of "COOPERATIVE SHOP" training with the Trade School, while enlarging the PRACTICAL ARTS department for the girls. This offering will be entirely consistent with the needs of local industry. This training is necessary to discover the many latent technical aptitudes in an adequate number of pupils, and through our Guidance Program, to direct, without pressure whatsoever, those pupils according to their abilities and interests, to a more definite vocational choice.
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