USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1930-1934 > Part 15
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1,486.26
Water
3,307.89
Public Welfare
8.65
Water Dept. Bonds
Interest 7.59
Library Book, to be
withdrawn from
Lib. Trust Funds
50.00
$376.74
$105,498.42
$105,498.42
Net Funded o' Fixed Debt.
$1,486.26
Reserve Fund, Overlay Surplus Overlays Reserved for Abatement: Levy of 1927 $326.66
Levy of 1928 390.32
Levy of 1929
964.05
Levy of 1930
589.30
Levy of 1931
927.32
$7,192.06
$3,197.65
State Aid to Highways, Chap. 81 Overdrawn Accounts :
East St.
$310.50
Surplus Revenue
$10,352.57 $36,554.34
DEBT ACCOUNT $40,530.00 Water Loan $40,530.00
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Trust Funds : Cash and Securities
$24,447.75
Cemetery Funds :
Alfred E. Alger fund $216.51
William Burke fund 170.76
Davis Copeland fund 210.85
Mrs. Henry Copeland
103.65
Lyman and Nathan Copeland fund 657.07
S. G. Copeland fund 213.20
Martha K. Crosby fund 101.52
Mary A. Deyre fund
139.60
The Hartwell fund
313.93
Julia M. Hooper fund
134.55
Isabelle Howard fund
102.45
S. H. Howard fund
105.25
S. Nelson Howard fund 101.95
Hattie M. Jennings fund 109.32
Warren C. Kinney fund 202.61
H. J. LeLacheur fund 101.61
Fred A. Perkins fund 104.98
Rosa R. Shaw fund 329.83
Orrin Smith fund
152.66
So. St. Cemetery fund 209.99
C. C. Thayer fund 211.20
Sanford Alger fund 50.75
Sumner D. Keith fund 100.00
Frank P. Hatch fund
160.00
$4,304.24
Library Funds :
Cornelia Alger fund $550.00
Nathan Copeland fund 583.49
M. N. K. Edgerly fund
567.92
Francis E. Howard fund
547.99
Mary L. Perkins fund
1,014.26
Mary P. Whitman fund 16,879.85
$20,143.51
$24,447.75
$24,447.75
146
STATEMENT OF TRUST FUNDS
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDS
Savings bank deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year
$3,978.87
$3,978.87
On hand at end of year
4,328.34
4,328.87
Receipts
Payments
Income
$187.07
Added to Savings deposit
$325.37
Transferred to Town 171.70
$497.07
$497.07
Name of Fund
Jan. 1, 1931
Receipts
Withdrawn
Jan. 1, 1932
Alfred E. Alger
$211.37
$10.14
$5.00
$216.51
William Burke
167.73
8.03
5.00
170.76
Davis Copeland
209.78
10.07
9.00
210.85
Mrs. Henry Copeland
104.90
4.75
6.00
103.65
Lyman and Nathan
Copeland
673.31
32.36
48.60
657.07
Samuel G. Copeland
212.55
9.65
9.00
213.20
Martha K. Crosby
102.86
4.66
6.00
101.52
Mary A. Dewyer
141.19
6.41
8.00
139.60
The Hartwell Fund
307.18
14.75
8.00
313.93
Julia M. Hooper
128.40
6.15
134.55
Isabelle Howard
103.74
4.71
6.00
102.45
Samuel H. Howard
103.31
4.94
3.00
105.25
S. Nelson Howard
101.10
4.85
4.00
101.95
Hattie M. Jennings
107.46
6.86
3.00
109.32
Warren C. Kinney
200.00
9.61
7.00
202.61
Henry J. Lelacheur
102.95
4.66
6.00
101.61
Fred A. Perkins
103.04
4.94
3.00
104.98
Rosa R. Shaw
318.36
14.47
3.00
329.83
Bequests
310.00
147
Orrin Smith
153.69
6.97
8.00
152.66
So. St. Cemetery
223.94
10.15
24.10
209.99
Charles C. Thayer
202.01
9.19
211.20
*Sanford Alger
50.00
.75
50.75
*Sumner D. Keith
100.00
100.00
*Frank P. Hatch
160.00
160.00
$4,288.87 $187.07 $171.70
$4,304.24
* Bequest
LIBRARY TRUST FUNDS
Securities
Deposits $19,950.89
Total
On hand beginning of year $500.00
$20,450.89
On hand at end of year
500.00
19,643.51
20,143.51
Receipts
Payments
Withdrawn from
Transfer to Town
$1,244.32
Savings deposits $307.38
Income
936.94
$1,244.32
$1,244.32
Name of Fund
Jan. 1, 1931
Receipts
Withdrawn
Jan. 1, 1932
Cornelia Alger
$524.82
$25.18
$550.00
Nathan Copeland
577.24
27.73
$21.48
583.49
M. N. K. Edgerly
553.36
25.19
10.63
567.92
Francis E. Howard
535.03
23.58
10.62
547.99
Mary L. Perkins
1,001.53
48.12
35.59
1,014.26
Mary P. Whitman 17,258.91
787.14
1,166.20
16,879.85
$20,450.89 $936.94
$1,244.32 $20,143.51
ARTHUR C. PECKHAM, Town Accountant.
State Auditor's Report
To the Board of Selectmen,
Mr. Morton A. Simmons, Chairman,
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the accounts of the town of West Bridgewater for the year ending De- cember 31, 1931, made in accordance with the provision of Chapter 44 of the General Laws. This report is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Edward H. Fenton, Chief Ac- countant of this Division.
Very truly yours,
THEODORE N. WADDELL, Director of Accounts.
REPORT
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell, Director of Accounts,
Department of Corporations and Taxation, State House, Boston.
Sir :
In accordance with your instructions I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of West Bridge-
149
water for the year ending December 31, 1931, and submit the following report thereon.
The financial transactions of the town, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town, were examined and reconciled with the books and records in the accountant's office.
The books and records of the town accountant were examined and checked. The recorded receipts were checked with the reports from the several departments making pay- ments to the town treasurer and with the treasurer's cash book.
The ledger was analyzed, the necessary adjustments were made, a trial balance was taken off, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town as of December 31, 1931.
In checking the appropriations as recorded in the town accountant's ledger with the town clerk's records of the town meetings, it was noticed that at the adjourned town meeting held March 9, 1931, an appropriation of $347.80 for unpaid bills of 1930 was voted to be taken from surplus revenue, and that at a special town meeting held January 18, 1932, an ap- propriation of $1,767.82, representing unpaid bills of 1931, was voted from surplus funds in the treasury.
In this connection attention is called to Section 23, Chap- ter 59, General Laws, as amended by Chapter 428, Acts of 1931, which requires that the assessors raise all sums appro- priated by the town since the last preceding annual tax as- sessment, and which also provides that deductions on account of appropriations voted from available funds in the treasury may be made by the assessors only upon the approval of the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation. All appropria- tions voted by the town, whether they are to be raised by taxation or to be provided for by transfer from available funds in the treasury should be certified by the town clerk
150
to the assessors, in accordance with the requirements of Section 15-A, Chapter 41, General Laws.
The recorded transfers from the reserve fund were compared with the authorizations for transfers by the fi- nance committee.
The books and accounts of the treasurer and collector, as treasurer, were examined and checked, the recorded re- ceipts being compared with the records in the several de- partments collecting money for the town, with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, and with the records in the town accountant's office. The payments were checked with the warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds and with the accountant's ledger accounts.
The payments on account of debt and interest were checked with the amounts falling due. All the cancelled se- curities were not available for examination, and it is again recommended that they be properly filed when received.
The treasurer's cash on hand was verified by an actual count and the bank balance was reconciled with a statement furnished by the Home National Bank of Brockton as of January 18, 1932.
The saving bank books and securities, representing the investments of the various trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer, were examined and listed, the income being proved and the withdrawals checked and reconciled.
It is again recommended that the overdraft of $50 in 1930 in the account designated "Library-Books", be pro- vided for by transfer from library trust fund income.
The books and accounts of the treasurer and collector, as tax collector, were examined and checked. The commit- ments of taxes were verified, the recorded receipts were compared with the payments to the treasurer, the abate- ments were listed and checked to the assessor's records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were
151
listed and proved. A further verification of the outstanding accounts was secured by mailing notices to a number of per- sons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, and from the replies received it appears that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
It is recommended that determined action be taken at once to secure settlement of the outstanding taxes for the levies of 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930, in order that the collec- tor may perform her duties faithfully in accordance with the terms of her surety bond.
The books and accounts of the treasurer and col- lector, as water collector, were examined and checked. The recorded abatements were checked with the water commis- sioners' records of abatements granted ,and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the accountant's ledger.
The records of the town clerk for dog and sporting lic- enses were examined and checked, and the payments to the County and State, respectively, were verified with the re- ceipts on file.
The receipts from rental of the town hall and from licenses granted by the selectmen did not lend themselves to proper audit, due to the inadequate records kept. It is again recommended that complete records be kept in order that income from these sources may be properly audited.
In addition to the departments mentioned, the books and accounts of the sealer of weights and measures, the tree warden, the school, public welfare, and library departments were examined, and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
The surety bonds of the treasurer and collector and of the town clerk were examined and found to be in proper form.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's
152
cash summaries of the tax and water accounts, together with tables relative to the trust fund transactions.
While engaged in making the audit I received the co-op- eration of the several town officials, and on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD H. FENTON, Chief Accountant.
The figures and tables referred to by the Chief exam- iner are a repetition of those contained in the town account- ant's and town collectors report of 1931.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
FOR THE YEAR 1931
A.H.WILLIS PRINTER HDIDOĊWATER MASS
MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Harold Lyon
Mrs. Edith Alger
Mr. Edwin H. Thayer
Frank G. Chadwick
Mrs. Corelli Alger, Secretary
Dr. W. C. Whiting
Term expires 1932 Term expires 1932 Term expires 1933
Term expires 1933
Term expires 1934 Term expires 1934
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held in Room 4, Town Offices, on the second Monday of each month, July and August excepted, at 7:45 P. M.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Ernest W. Robinson Office, Howard High School Telephone Brockton 5094
Residence, 40 Ash Street, West Bridgewater Telephone Brockton 5976-R
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
Dr. Ellis LeLacheur Dr. Walter Whiting
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER Irving W. Lothrop
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
The successful operation of the public schools of the town for the past year has presented problems of adminis- tration that have not been easy to solve. The chief diffic- ulty of course has been financial, which is undoubtedly true of a great many communities, large and small in the state. One item of expense in our entire amount of expenditure which largely exceeded our estimate was that of tuition for students in the vocational schools, of Bristol and Nor- folk County.
Over this outlay the School Board has no control, as any student over fourteen years of age may elect this type of education, the tuition for which is $200 per year per pupil. In 1930-31 there were only four pupils attending these schools, while at present writing we are paying for the education of eleven boys at the above mentioned voca- tional institutions.
The fact that we receive from the State one half of the total amount we pay for this class of tuition makes it pos- sible for the town to carry this expensive educational bur- den. The School Board however, is compelled to ask for the entire amount of such tuition in its annual budget estimate, a condition that makes the budget assume larger propor- tions, than the net expense to the town substantiates.
Such repairs as seemed necessary for the maintenance of our school buildings in good condition were carried out
156
last year, and we feel that we can carry on for the current fiscal year with a comparatively small outlay for this de- partment of school operation.
In the reports of the Superintendent of Schools, and the various supervisors will be found brief but excellent summaries of conditions and needs as the various officials see them. These will repay careful reading by all interested citizens. But few changes have occurred in the teaching staff of the system, a condition that in the main works for the benefit of education as continuity of service has several important advantages to any community.
Under the energetic and capable leadership of Super- intendent Robinson, progress has been steady and sure. Modern methods of teaching and supervising are effectively employed, and the spirit throughout the system is one of very helpful co-operation in all departments of activity.
We have asked in our budget estimate for 1932 for less than we expended in 1931 with the purpose of aiding the general financial situation as far as we can by exercising the most rigid economy that is consistent with good service from teachers, and adequate education for the boys and girls of our town.
Our budget estimate for 1932 is as follows:
General Control
$4,350.00
Teachers' Salaries
31,500.00
Books and Supplies
2,200.00
Janitors' Service
2,400.00
Fuel and Light
2,100.00
Maintenance and Repairs
700.00
Transportation
3,700.00
Tuition
2,500.00
School Nurse
950.00
Miscellaneous
100.00
Total
$50,500.00
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee:
I herewith submit my third annual report in which the needs and activities of the various departments are briefly set forth.
The changes in teaching personnel were fewer than in the preceding school year, numbering three replace- ments and two additional assistant teachers for the current school year 1931-1932. In the Howard High School, Miss Beatrice Copeland of the history department was replaced by Miss Emily Rutter, a graduate of Wheaton College, with an A. M. degree from Clark University. Miss Madeline Rice of the language department was succeeded by Miss Edna Currier a graduate of the University of New Hamp- shire. Both of these teachers are doing excellent work in their respective departments.
At the Cochesett School Miss Priscilla Smith was ap- pointed to the primary grades, to succeed Miss Grace Dash- off who was transferred to the fifth and sixth grades of the Sunset Avenue School formerly taught by Miss Dorothea Murphy who resigned to take up work at East Haven, Con- necticut. The membership of Miss Mildred MacDonald's third and fourth grade room has been in excess of fifty pu- pils from the beginning of the school year. We have been able to secure the voluntary services of Miss Nellie Turski, a graduate of the Castine, Maine State Normal School, who
158
has been doing excellent work assisting Miss MacDonald, for the purpose of gaining teaching experience for herself.
A similar congested condition has existed at the Center School where Miss Riley's seventh grade member- ship has numbered over fifty since the opening of the school year in September. Here again we have been fortunate in securing the services of Miss Alice Guinea, a four year graduate of Bridgewater Normal School, who has also done excellent work in both 7th and 8th grades, thereby reliev- ing the teaching burden of Principal Rose MacDonald and Miss Margarette Riley.
Throughout the school system there is ample evidence of fine spirit, good discipline, and productive teaching methods on the part of all our teachers, and I take this op- portunity of expressing my own appreciation of this valu- able and important element in the success of our local school administration.
The achievement tests given in May from the fourth to eighth grades inclusive revealed a very satisfactory standard of accomplishment for the school year. Since these tests are primarily designed for straight grades, it is grati- fying to have pupils of double graded rooms attain a schol- astic level that easily bears comparison with those school systems in which each room has but one grade and one teacher to that grade. The interest and energy displayed by all the teachers in giving these tests, tabulating them and interpreting the results, must of necessity help to raise our scholastic standards, and work toward the attainment of a certain degree of uniformity in our educational results.
Worn out and antiquated text books have been replaced as rapidly as possible by judicious selection from the great amount of high class modern texts that are now available in the school book publishing world. Many of these texts are most skilfully designed for clarity of teaching, and simplicity of understanding on the part of the pupils, to
159
whom a great variety of factual knowledge is presented in an attractive and scientific manner.
The annual reports of the various supervisors are pre- sented at this time and are worthy of very careful reading. They give a sharp, distinct picture in every instance of the aims of each department, the problems that arise from time to time which present difficulties and the conditions that hamper successful operation. These reports have been well thought-out and effectively presented.
In conclusion I wish to acknowledge the constant sup- port and sympathetic guidance of the School Board, whose spirit has been always progressive, and expressed in rea- sonable and workable methods of school administration.
Respectfully Submitted,
ERNEST W. ROBINSON, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Ernest W. Robinson,
Superintendent of Schools,
West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my fifth annual report as Principal of the Howard High School.
On November 1 the school's enrollment was at its max- imum, 150, distributed as follows: 33 Seniors, 31 Juniors, 30 Sophomores, and 47 Freshmen. This membership which is four less than the largest number, 154, reached in 1925, represents an increase of 11 over last year's figures. Begin- ning with 1923 the totals up to the present year are: 137,
160
137, 154, 142, 135, 129, 138, 130, and 139. The average en- rollment for the five year period starting with 1922 ex- ceeds by 4 that for the last five year period.
During the past four years the school has graduated 88 students, of whom 22 matriculated in college, and 19 entered business schools of high standing. Considered as one group these students reflect credit upon the school from which they graduated. Such unsolicited statements as, " ... Miss Blank is doing decidedly excellent work, reflecting great credit not only upon herself but upon the training which she received in your school. ... ," and "especially good work in accounting and typewriting," give an excellent idea of the character of work done by our commercial graduates. The first semester results of the college group viewed in connection with the method by which they were admitted to their respective institutions are tabulated below.
College
Normal Schools
Total
C
E
D
C
E
D
Students
10
2
4
3
0
3
22
Subjects
73
14
34
32
0
30
183
Subjects Failed
3
1
6
0
0
0
10
% of Failures
4
7
17
0
0
0
5
C, entered by certificate
E, entered by examination
D, entered by diploma
As noted above 183 courses were completed with only 10 failures, for 7 of which the school assumes no direct re- sponsibility. The school, however, is particularly concerned with the percentage of failures in certified subjects which have been taken in High School and continued in college. Although small these failures cannot be neglected. The High Schools' course becomes clear when further study dis- closes the fact that these failures were the outcomes of the policy of admitting students into college on certificates when the grades in these subjects placed them barely with-
161
in the certificate class. Furthermore, frequent failures in college of our certified students inevitably means the loss of serving better both the school and its pupils, and without upsetting the present system of marking and promotion, the grade necessary for certification to college has been raised from 80 to 85%.
Through the generosity of the Class of 1931, the school has acquired a radio-victrola combination. By reason of its wide range of usefulness, this instrument gives promise of becoming a powerful factor in furthering school interests and objectives. In addition to making available many of the educational features of the air, through the medium of the radio, selections of our own choice may be presented at a time convenient to the particular group interested. Plans are now in preparation for a music memory contest the aim of which will be to foster and develop greater knowledge, enjoyment, and appreciation of worthwhile musical selec- tions. In this educational program the victrola will be in- dispensible.
The extra-curricular policy of limiting the number of activities of the school has functioned faultlessly. Conflicts have been eliminated, the outside-of-class burden of the students has been lightened, and indications point toward better academic achievement. Greater concentration of ef- fort upon fewer activities results in turning out finer prod- ucts. This increased interest and productivity manifests itself especially in the school's magazine, "The Climber," and in the orchestra, as well as in interclass activities. From the standpoint of the number of students participat- ing, the fine sportmanship displayed, and the splendid spir- ited enthusiasm of pure enjoyment in this type of physical work, the interclass basketball series this year was more successful than ever. Placed upon a purely voluntary basis over one half of the students took part.
This year the long list of worthy improvements in the
162
school plant was lengthened by the painting of the gym- nasium walls, the addition of needed desks, tables, and chairs, and the installation of other radiators in the office and Room 9.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Trustees of the Howard Funds for their generosity and interest in better- ing the physical equipment of the school, and you, the Teachers, School Committee, and other friends of the school for your loyal support of my efforts to maintain and en- rich the school's activities on a high educational level.
Respectfully submitted,
NILS G. LINDELL, Principal.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Ernest W. Robinson,
Supt. of Schools,
West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I take pleasure in submitting my annual report as Su- pervisor of Music in the public schools of West Bridgewater.
In the high school the chorus numbers one-hundred and thirteen students. An effort is being made to develop and foster group singing among the boys and girls respectively. Instead of confining the work exclusively to mixed chorus singing as heretofore a three and four part male chorus and a three part female chorus have been tried. Using the regular music period for this work necessarily means a large part of the students sitting unoccupied while the other group is busy. For this reason I most strongly urge that the School Board consider the value of boy's and girl's glee
163
clubs which would furnish added advantages for the more musically inclined. Each year our high school chorus grows and the proper seating of this group at graduation will soon become a problem.
It has seemed desirable to the State Department of Education to have a course in music in the high schools that would serve as the best preparation for admission to the State Normal Schools. This course would also be of value to other students interested in music. The suggested outline which includes theory, sight-singing, and element- ary harmony, would require two periods a week. Such a course has long been followed in many high schools and the supervisor has felt its need in our own program.
In the elementary schools doing away with the ninth grade and combining the seventh and eighth grades much of the technical work ceases with the sixth year, which means that certain musical problems are never learned. The uniting of the seventh and eighth grades at the Center, which group is steadily growing in numbers, forbids class work in theory. The room is too crowded. There is no oppor- tunity for seat work or individual help.
The needs at the Sunset Avenue School are very appar- ent. While it is evident that the general atmosphere of the building has improved, the classes in music have lost. This is largely due to the fact that the personnel of the teach- ing force has been changing often for several years and in some cases the teachers were not strong in music. This condition has left its mark on the quality and quantity of work done and the classes are retarded in some cases a year or two. This school receives a visit from the supervisor once in two weeks and if a holiday occurs on that day it means a period of three weeks. If these grades were musically strong more frequent supervision would not be necessary.
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