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 1955-1959 > Part 42
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This will be the final report of the board of selectmen who also serve as the board of health, as on March 14 a separate board will be elected as voted at the 1958 Town Meeting. This is be- lieved to be a progressive step, due to the growth of the town and ever-increasing duties of its boards. At this time I wish to thank the many departments and individuals who have aided in the project of making West Bridgewater a healthier and better place in which to live.
Respectfully submitted,
MARJORIE E. MacDONALD, Health Agent WILLIAM W. NOYES
H. ROY HARTSHORN Board of Health
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Total Appropriations at Annual Town Meeting,
March 17, 1958 781,565.48
Other amounts to be raised
64,137.54
Total Appropriations since 1957 Tax Rate was fixed
845,703.02
State Parks and Reservations Tax
2,285.69
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
762.10
County Tax, 1958
24,420.17
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment 7,932.57
Plymouth County Mosquito Control
3,670.44
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Rich Bros. vs Town of West Bridgewater suit Overlay
1,000.00
14,183.67
Total Amount to be raised
899,957.66
Less: Total Estimated Receipts
296,398.25
603,559.41
Less: Amounts taken from Available Funds
115,201.03
Net Amount to be Raised by Taxes on Polls and Property
488,358.38
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Number of Persons, Partnerships, Corporations, etc.
assessed
25
On Personal Estate Only
1,355
On Real Estate Only
134
On Both Personal and Real Estate
1,514
Total Number Assessed
1,440
Value of Assessed Personal Estate:
Stock in Trade
51,300.00
Machinery
71,800.00
Live Stock
9,420.00
All Other Tangible Personal Property
434,671.00
Total Value of Assessed Personal Estate
567,191.00
Value of Assessed Real Estate:
Land
1,052,392.00
Buildings
5,736,150.00
Total Value of Assessed Real Estate
6,788,542.00
Total Value of All Assessed Property
7,355,733.00
Tax Rate per $1000
66.00
Taxes for all purposes spread as follows:
On Polls
2,880.00
On Personal Property
37,434.61
On Real Estate
448,043.77
Total Taxes Assessed
488,358.38
114
Number of Acres of Land Assessed
8,430.74
Number of Dwellings Assessed 1,276
Number of Horses Assessed 27
Number of Cows Assessed
28
Number of Yearlings, Bulls and Heifers Assessed
9
Number of Swine Assessed
32
Number of Sheep Assessed
10
Number of Fowl Assessed
4,380
FARM ANIMAL EXCISE
Number of Horses Assessed
12
Number of Cows Assessed
826
Number of Yearlings, Bulls and Heifers Assessed
10
Number of Fowl Assessed
22,546
Number of Chicks Assessed
660
Number of Turkeys Assessed
400
Number of Geese Assessed
91
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE-1958
Number of Cars Assessed
2,754
Total Value of Cars Assessed
1,284,700.00
Total Excise Assessed
63,662.62
Average Value per Car
470.05
Average Excise per Car
23.11
EXEMPTED PROPERTY Real Estate
Trustees of the Howard Funds
66,350.00
Old Bridgewater Historical Society
15,500.00
Baptist Society
11,750.00
Methodist Society
13,800.00
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston
36,100.00
Unitarian Society
13,500.00
Cemeteries (Privately Owned)
6,240.00
Town Hall and Lot
15,500.00
Fire Station and Police Station
42,000.00
Highway Garage and Lot
9,500.00
Forestry Garage
2,000.00
Library
3,400.00
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School Department (Land and Buildings) Parks
736,800.00
8,800.00
Water Department
22,000.00
Cemeteries (Town Owned)
600.00
Various Lots Owned by the Town
11,995.00
Property of the Commonwealth
4,798.00
Total Value of Exempted Real Estate
1,020,633.00
Personal Property
Old Bridgewater Historical Society
8,000.00
Trustees of the Howard Funds
5,000.00
Town of West Bridgewater:
Fire Department
30,000.00
Water Department
297,500.00
Library
8,000.00
School Department
Junior-Senior High School
12,000.00
All Other Schools
10,000.00
Highway Department
4,000.00
Town Hall and Offices
3,000.00
Moth Department
2,000.00
Police Department
1,500.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
250.00
Tree Warden
100.00
Total Value of Exempted Personal Property
381,350.00
Total Value of All Exempted Property
1,401,983.00
WILLIAM W. PHILLIPS HERBERT A. HOLMES ELMER L. ANDERSON Board of Assessors
116
REPORT OF SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS COMMITTEE
At a special town meeting held in August 1958 it was voted to authorize the moderator to appoint a committee to investigate the present and future requirements of the Town so far as addi- tional class room space may be needed.
The committee was duly appointed and held its first meeting September 11, 1958, at which time the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Bert L. Merrill, outlined the problems confronting the school department due to increases in student enrollment.
There were three possibilities suggested to alleviate the antici- pated future crowded conditions of the present facilities.
1. Re-open the old Center Schools.
2. Build an addition to either the present High School or the Spring Street School.
3. Construct a completely new elementary school building.
After studying these three possibilities, it is the opinion of this committee that to build an addition to the present high school building would be the most practical and economical way of adding additional class room space.
RECOMMENDATION OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
"Recommendations for additional class rooms by the Super- intendent of Schools, Mr. Bert L. Merrill, and Principal of Junior-Senior High School, Mr. Peter J. Sperandio, are as follows:
ELEMENTARY
HIGH
1958-59 (now)
2
1
1959-60
0
1
1960-61 0
1
1961-62
0
1
1962-63
2* 0
* (includes one for academically gifted children)
Two additional class rooms will be needed per year after 1963 to the fall of 1967.
It seems safe to assume that if plans for providing additional classrooms were made now it would be at least 1962 before any
117
of them would be ready for occupancy. At that time, as the above table indicates, two elementary and four high school classrooms, or a total of six will be needed. From September 1962 to the fall of 1967 six elementary and four high school rooms, or a total of ten will be needed. Therefore, it appears that a total of sixteen classrooms would be the least to consider in planning future school facilities.
In addition to classrooms we recommend the following:
1. An all purpose room, which would be used as a cafeteria, with kitchen adjoining.
2. Conference room.
3. A. Large room which could house power equipment including lawn mower, tractor, etc.
B. Janitor's work and supply room.
4. Storage room for school supplies and textbooks.
5. Boys' and girls' toilet and lavatories and a teachers' toilet and lavatory."
These recommendations are based on statistical reports compiled by reliable authorities.
This committee recognizes that while the present class- rooms may not be considered crowded for this term they are filled to more than their recommended ideal capacities. We further feel that with a constantly increasing enrollment the classroom facilities will be inadequate by 1962.
To explain our position in this matter we submit the follow- ing enrollment table of the three school buildings as compared with what we consider a reasonable maximum capacity for these buildings.
Present Enrollment
Recommended Maximum Capacity
Sunset Ave. School
93
140
Spring St. School
412
462
6th grade (High School Bldg.)
119
140
Junior-Senior High School
470
528*
1094
1270
(for 16 home rooms)
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The committee has attempted by mathematical projection to estimate the expectant enrollment for the next ten years. Our fig- ures show that in the year 1968 there should be approximately 1485 pupils enrolled. This assumed total would be 215 more than the recommended maximum seating capacity of the three schools.
To accommodate this increased enrollment it will be necessary to provide ten new classrooms.
There would be approximately 658 pupils in grades 1 through 5 with an average of 30 pupils per room, for 22 class rooms. (Addi- tion of 4). There would be approximately 150 pupils in the sixth grade with an average of 30 pupils per room, for 5 classrooms. (Addition of 2). There would be approximately 676 pupils in grades 7 through 12 with an average of 27 pupils per room for 25 rooms. (Addition of 4).
After due consideration of the known facts and projected statistical data this committee recommends as follows:
1. To increase the size of the present cafeteria by removing the partition between the cafeteria and library thereby saving the expense of equipping a new kitchen in another part of the building.
2. The erection of an inexpensive structure detached from any school building, for the storing of ground maintenance and automotive equipment.
3. The addition of ten classrooms with necessary toilet facilities and new library location, to the Westerly side of the present high school building.
4. That the moderator be empowered to appoint a committee to investigate and study the possibilities outlined above and that they be authorized to procure architectural sketches of the addition and alterations, to be presented to the Town for its consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT W. KEELER THOMAS KEMP FRANCIS J. LYNCH EMIL H. OHMAN CARROLL S. PIKE, Chairman
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
FOR THE YEAR 1958
120
MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1958-59
Thomas Kemp, Chairman, East Street JU 3-7461
Term expires 1961
Erland Thayer, 16 Union Street Term expires 1961
JU 3-1402
Charles Ensher, 700 West Center Street
JU 7-0828
Term expires 1959
Norman Churchill, East Street
JU 6-0610
Term expires 1960
Walter Olson, Prospect Street Term expires 1960
JU 3-3122
John C. Eldridge, 13 Hillside Avenue
JU 6-6240
Term expires 1959
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Second Monday evening of each month at 7:45 P.M. at the high school.
SUPERINTENDENT
Bert L. Merrill
Office: High School
JU 6-5094
Residence: 277 Spring Street, West Bridgewater JU 6-4428
Conference by Appointment
CLERK
To be appointed
Office hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dr. Joseph Calitri, 17 Central Square, West Bridgewater JU 7-0678
SCHOOL NURSE
E. Myrtle Howard, 272 River Street, West Bridgewater JU 3-4302
121
ATTENDANCE OFFICER Douglas Eaton, Prospect Street, West Bridgewater JU 6-9191
WVEST BRIDGEWATER SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
School Calendar 1958 - 1959
Schools open Wednesday September 3, 1958
Thanksgiving recess:
Schools close Wednesday noon
November 26, 1958
Schools reopen Monday
December 1, 1958
Christmas vacation:
Schools close Tuesday noon
December 23, 1958
Schools reopen Monday
January 5, 1959
Winter vacation:
Schools close Friday
February 20, 1959
Schools reopen Monday
March 2, 1959
Spring vacation:
Schools close Friday
April 17, 1959
Schools reopen Monday
April 27, 1959
Schools close Friday
June 19, 1959
Holidays:
Brockton Fair, Grades 1 through 6
September 9, 1958
Columbus Day, Monday October 13, 1958
Plymouth County Teachers' Convention, Friday October 17, 1958
Veterans' Day, Tuesday
November 11, 1958
Good Friday
March 27, 1959
No School Information
The policy of the school department is to hold school on stormy days. The decision as to whether or not a child should attend school will be left to the discretion of the parent. In ex- tremely bad weather when it is deemed wise to have no school, such notice will be broadcast over WBET, Brockton, between 7 and 8 A.M. and between 11 and 12 noon. Fire alarm signals will be as follows: 1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 7 A.M., no school, all schools, all day. 1 long - 2 short blasts of the
122
fire alarm at 7:15 A.M., no school grades 1-6 inclusive all day. 1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 11 A.M., no school for grades 1-6 inclusive in the afternoon.
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP - OCTOBER 1, 1958
ELEMENTARY
1
2
3
4
5
6
TOTAL
Sunset Avenue
25
27
21
20
93
Spring Street
88
86
75
63
100
412
Jr. High
105
105
Special Class
14 14
HIGH
7
8
9
10
1 1
12
High School
110
79
'91
80
60
50
470
Total enrollment elementary and high school
1094
CENSUS REPORT
5 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER AND UNDER 7
7 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER AND
UNDER 16
Boys
114
464
Girls
108
437
Total
222
901
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1958 BUDGET 10,925.00
1958 SPENT 10,485.07
1. Administration
2. Instruction
Salaries
224,323.00
223,095.80
Supplies
11,260.00
11,701.56
Textbooks
3,400.00
2,972.79
Contingencies
300.00
295.46
3. Operation
Salaries
21,300.00
20,996.97
Removal of rubbish
500.00
500.00
Fuel
9,700.00
7,748.45
Lights
7,400.00
7,060.64
Water
400.00
378.90
Gas
800.00
684.77
Supplies
5,300.00
4,113.84
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4. Maintenance
5,165.00
8,933.40
5. Auxiliary Agencies
Health
6,077.00
6,043.25
Transportation
14,800.00
14,723.96
Tuition
2,700.00
2,758.58
Insurance
200.00
166.35
Miscellaneous
150.00
150.00
Lunchroom
997.23
6. Capital Outlay
3,355.00
1,575.92
TOTALS
328,055.00
325,382.94
REIMBURSEMENTS 1958:
Chapter 70
61,299.09
Supt. Salary
2,488.89
Transportation
9,119.02
Household Arts
2,395.54
Tuition Vocational
1,166.57
Transportation Vocational
230.70
Tuition & Transportation State Wards
1,551.44
Education physically & mentally
handicapped
381.40
Total Reimbursement
78,632.65
Net Operation Cost for 1958
246,750.29
124 SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
At the March election, Mr. Thomas Kemp and Mr. Erland Thayer were re-elected for a three-year period. At the annual organ- ization meeting, Mr. Thomas Kemp was re-elected chairman; and Mr. Charles Ensher and Mr. Walter Olson were appointed mem- bers of the West Bridgewater-Raynham School Superintendency Union to serve with Mr. Kemp, the chairman.
On June 3, an agreement was duly signed by the town of West Bridgewater and Rich Brothers Construction Company in settlement of the law-suit previously brought against said Rich Brothers sometime before, as a result of defects which had pre- viously developed in the Junior-Senior High School building. In effect, this agreement specified that the contractor furnish all materials and work to remedy the leaks in the building and to install new roof flashings and edgings where needed. Also, to cause all joints of the concrete roof plankings in all areas where used to be cleaned from accumulation of the pitch or asphalt and to strip caulk the kitchen area only with new material. Also, to clean all joints in all areas for a period of two years, after which time, if said accumulation has not ceased at the end of this period, that the contractor shall spot caulk all joints in the remaining areas. To date, this agreement has been fulfilled with minor exceptions.
The drainage problem at the Spring Street School seems to have been somewhat remedied as a result of work completed by Carlino Construction Company. This correction was made by the laying of orangeburg pipe around the perimeter of the filter beds at a depth below the surface. As a result, the surface water is drained away before any great amount can accumulate. However, a complete test of this cannot be made until we have had a long period of heavy precipitation.
Playground equipment has been erected at the rear of the Spring Street School. This equipment consists of slides, swings, a jungle gym, and a merry-go-round. This equipment had been pre-
125
viously purchased, but installation of the same was deferred until the entire playground area was put in suitable condition.
At the Spring Street School, the fact that one of the passage- ways between a unit of classrooms and the all-purpose room is not enclosed has been of major concern to your committee since the opening of the school. A motion to enclose the open passageway was presented by the School Committee at the annual town meet- ing in March, 1956, and defeated. Since that time, many accidents of a minor nature have resulted in inclement weather. Your com- mittee hopes that there will be no accidents of a major nature re- sulting in the injury to school children in the future.
The committee has been fully aware of the continued rise in the tax rate, a large portion of which is influenced by the school budget. According to latest statistics released by the State Depart- ment of Education for the school year ending in 1958, the average per pupil cost to your town was $295.37, against a median cost in towns of 5,000 population and under, and maintaining high schools, of $302.83. In a like comparison of teachers' salaries, the town pays a median salary of $4,300; against a statewide figure of $4,338. In both instances, our town is slightly under the median reported by the state.
During the past year, your committee has held many interest- ing and informative discussions with several civic groups relative to school activities. The continued interest shown by interested citizens and parents of the town in the education of your children is greatly appreciated.
We desire to thank all school personnel for their devotion to the education and welfare of our children.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS KEMP, Chairman ERLAND THAYER JOHN ELDRIDGE CHARLES ENSHER WALTER OLSON NORMAN CHURCHILL
126
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the West Bridgewater School Committee:
"I am pleased to submit for your consideration my ninth annual report as Superintendent of Schools:
The strengthening of American Education will depend upon public understanding and support.
The ability of the Soviet Union to place satellites in outer space has aroused deep public concern in the United States.
The public is now more fully aware that the future of nations rest in a considerable measure upon progress in science and tech- nology. There is widespread agreement that improved chances to learn must be opened to those minds which are capable of scientific excellence.
But scientific education is not the only need of America today. Fully as important as progress in science are the promotion of democracy and the preservation of peace.
Survival in this age may be staked on science, but the building of peace calls for knowledge, insight, and abilities of many kinds. Thus the philosopher, the historian, the social scientist, the student of language and literature, share with the scientist the promise of the future.
The quality of the educational program in individual Ameri- can communities is determined largely by public understanding of what education can do."
PERSONNEL CHANGES
We have had very few changes in personnel during the past year. The following four teachers were appointed:
Mr. Armand Gendreau, high school teacher of social subjects, replaces Mr. Leo Montebello.
Mr. Thomas Williams, teacher of Industrial Arts, he takes the place of Mr. Wendell Gallup, who resigned to accept a similar position in Hyannis.
127
Mr. Pat Guercio, teacher of the newly organized special class.
Mrs. Shirley Thorpe, elementary teacher in the Spring Street School, replaces Mrs. Barbara Colby.
Mr. Joseph O'Brien and Mrs. Marie Sullivan, on leave of absence for a part of the school year, returned last September.
Mrs. Clinton Howard was elected school nurse, replacing Mrs. Lillian Hewitt, retired.
Mrs. Fred Bisbee was appointed part-time secretary at the Spring Street School.
Mr. George Earle, who served as custodian for many years, retired in June.
Mr. Paul Alexander was appointed custodian at the Sunset Avenue School.
PRE-SCHOOL REGISTRATION
The annual registration of children who enrolled in school for the first time, was held at the Spring Street School in May.
A small booklet entitled "Getting Ready for School" was given each parent. A social hour followed.
SPECIAL CLASS
A special class was organized for the first time. Children en- rolled are slow learners who work and study in small groups. School subjects are taught at different grade levels. They engage in handiwork of various kinds. The children are making better prog- ress in smaller groups than they did in the regular classroom.
EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION
Television appears to be a definite aid to effective teaching. Programs now are based on subjects taught in the elementary schools. They are regularly televised over Channel 2 and designed to supplement classroom instruction. It is expected that programs at the secondary level will be televised soon. Teachers are supplied lesson plans and material. Classroom discussions and talks follow every educational program. The Spring Street School P. T. A. voted recently to purchase three portable T.V. sets for these programs.
128
ENROLLMENT
There appears to be no let-up in the growth of the school population. The average enrollment in grades 4-6 inclusive, is thirty-four pupils. The number of elementary pupils in a class- room should not exceed thirty. Some of the classes in the junior- senior high school next year will be too large to provide adequate instruction to pupils and will, therefore, be divided into smaller groups. I have been informed by the junior-senior high school principal that this can be done by using the Student Activity room for classes, the auditorium for public speaking and the cafe- teria in addition to the library as study halls. Twenty-five is the maximum number of pupils recommended for each high school class. Mr. Sperandio and I have served as consultants to the School Building Needs Committee and attended every meeting. Fol- lowing is an excerpt taken from our recommendations:
"It seems safe to assume that if plans for providing additional classrooms are made now, it would be at least 1962 before any of them would be available. At that time two elementary and four high school rooms or a total of six, will be needed. From September 1962 to the fall of 1967 six elementary and four high school rooms, or a total of ten additional rooms will be required. Therefore, it appears that a total of sixteen classrooms would be the least to consider in planning future school facilities."
MAINTENANCE
Major work completed in the schools during the year follows: Spring Street School:
1. The entire front section of the building was painted.
2. Approximately 610 square yards of hard top, driveway leading to the rear of the school, was laid.
3. Shelves and cabinets were installed in the kitchen.
High School:
1. 210 desks were sanded and refinished.
2. Five classrooms and the music room were completely painted.
3. Vinyl tile tops were installed in five classrooms.
4. The entire gymnasium floor was cleaned and refinished.
5. Floors in the locker rooms and printing room were re- painted.
129
Sunset Avenue School:
1. One classroom was painted, linoleum tile floor laid, draw shades and fluorescent lights installed.
2. Floors in the lavatory, cafeteria and boiler room were repainted.
A part-time vocal instructor is needed for the elementary schools. This will relieve Mr. Lewis, supervisor of music, from his present heavy schedule and enable him to devote more time to instrumental instruction.
Three Art Workshops for elementary teachers were held at the Spring Street School under the direction of Mr. Rathbun, art supervisor. He explained new teaching techniques and the moti- vation of Art. He also demonstrated new equipment.
I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the School Com- mittee and school personnel for their cooperation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted, BERT L. MERRILL Superintendent of Schools
JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Bert L. Merrill
Superintendent of Schools
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
I submit herewith my eighth annual report as principal of the West Bridgewater High School.
The various school departments operated in a satisfactory manner during the past school year.
All of the students in the college preparatory course who applied for admission to college were accepted. Many students who were enrolled in other courses were also admitted to schools of higher learning such as nursing, business and technical schools.
130
Our students continue to do well in competition with stu- dents from other secondary schools not only in the College En- trance Board Examinations but also in actual college studies. This is a testimonial to the students and also to the teachers and parents who guide them.
During the school year the faculty made an evaluation of all the departments in the school. The results of this study were very gratifying. However, these results will be verified by a visiting committee from the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in the spring of 1959 and then presented to you and the School Committee.
My attendance at several curriculum conferences has again indicated to me that even though our high school is relatively small, we do offer a program of studies which compares favorably with all schools. Our students need not make any excuses that the size of our school has necessarily curtailed their academic training.
Our library, under the able direction of Mr. Wm. Henry Moss, has been doing a fine job. The number of books taken out by the students has steadily increased each year. It would be ad- visable, I believe, to refrain from using the library as a study hall. The real functions of the library are curtailed when, each period, we fill it with pupils who do not have classes. They occupy the library chairs to do regular homework assignments and the use of the library research center is lost. However, since no other location, with the possible exception of the cafeteria and auditorium, is available, we shall be forced to continue our present policy.
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