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 56
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49.55
Truck & Equipment Repair
896.49
Fire Alarm Maintenance
537.63
Care of Telephone
480.00
Equipment for Men
172.11
Travel
150.00
Association Dues & Meetings
163.00
Miscellaneous
35.40
Equipment:
New Fire Truck
13,591.88
Fire Station Maintenance:
Fuel
881.43
Electricity
565.89
Repairs
397.11
Supplies
294.84
29,628.70
Balance
321.30
Transferred from Reserve-Firemen
134.05
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Surplus
8.12
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
447.23
CIVIL DEFENSE:
Appropriated
310.00
Expenses:
Telephone
85.25
Medical Supplies
139.70
Equipment:
Generator
60.00
284.95
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
25.05
124
PLANNING BOARD: Appropriated
200.00
Expenses:
Office Expenses
69.87
Association Dues & Meetings
20.00
Miscellaneous
41.99
131.86
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
68.14
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Appropriated
150.00
Expenses:
Office Expenses
67.96
Association Dues & Meetings
54.98
122.94
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
27.06
SEALER OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES:
Appropriated
270.00
Expenses:
Salary
222.00
Supplies
6.77
Travel
21.66
250.43
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
19.57
INSPECTOR OF WIRES:
Appropriated
600.00
Expenses:
Salary
285.25
Travel
95.50
Supplies
22.00
402.75
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
197.25
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS:
Appropriated
1,000.00
Expenses:
Salary
636.00
Office Expenses
58.00
Travel
208.00
902.00
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
98.00
125
TREE WARDEN: Appropriated
10,146.00
Salary
2,186.58
Expenses:
Labor
3,385.75
Office Expenses
9.00
Insurance
72.77
Gas, Oil & Grease
284.08
Tools & Supplies
274.32
Repairs
156.34
Insecticides
281.30
Fertilizer
54.00
Town Nursery
399.75
Association Dues & Meetings
15.00
Equipment:
Mist Blower
2,855.63
9,974.52
Balance
171.48
Transferred from Reserve-Mist Blower
5.63
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
177.11
INSECT PEST CONTROL:
Appropriated
3,355.00
Salary
850.00
Expenses:
Labor
1,339.60
Electricity
17.57
Insurance
80.45
Gas & Oil
107.57
Tools & Supplies
152.15
Repairs
63.87
Insecticides
554.70
Garage Maintenance
121.12
3,287.03
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
67.97
TOWN ELMS:
Appropriated
5,041.00
Salary
1,360.00
Expenses:
Labor
2,108.00
Tree Climber & Equipment Hire
553.00
Gas & Oil
105.32
Tools & Supplies
208.76
126
Repairs
152.72
Insecticides
305.80
Fertilizers & Lime
239.50
5,013.10
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
27.90
HEALTH & SANITATION: Appropriated
7,010.00
Expenses:
Clerk Hire
19.20
Office Expenses
48.30
Travel
50.00
Vital Statistics
214.00
T.B. Hospital
540.00
Visiting Nurse
1,200.00
Dental Clinic
25.55
Dump
1,056.25
Diphtheria Clinic
110.00
Inspection of Animals
650.00
Mosquito Control
1,499.25
Equipment:
File
42.00
5,454.55
Balance
1,555.45
Transferred from Reserve-Dump
56.25
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Reserve
1,611.70
HIGHWAY:
Appropriated
38,790.00
Salary-Superintendent
4,680.00
Expenses:
Labor
10,752.50
Sand, Gravel & Loam
2,989.38
Drainage
253.24
Equipment Hire
429.00
Asphalt & Bituminous Concrete
11,925.02
Tools & Supplies
942.38
Insurance
439.27
Bridges & Railings
68.95
Street Signs
274.71
Garage Maintenance
33.18
Miscellaneous
51.39
Gas & Oil
1,679.43
Repairs
1,051.56
127
Equipment:
Sander
2,175.03
37,745.04
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
1,044.96
SNOW REMOVAL: Appropriated
10,100.00
Expenses:
Labor
1,699.15
Equipment Hire
1,282.75
Sand & Salt
1,573.85
Tools & Supplies
518.00
Repairs
1,271.43
6,345.18
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
3,754.82
PUBLIC WELFARE ADMINISTRATION: Appropriated
4,192.00
Salary-Board Members (3)
252.00
Agent
500.00
Expenses:
Clerk
2,640.00
Office Expenses
246.20
Telephone
203.90
Travel
150.00
Association Dues & Meetings
47.90
Equipment:
Typewriter
152.00
4,192.00
PUBLIC WELFARE AID: Appropriated
47,100.00
Expenses:
General Relief
8,271.60
Old Age Assistance
34,482.57
Aid to Dependent Children
99.65
Disability Assistance
4,246.18
47,100.00
PUBLIC WELFARE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION: 1958 Balance Carried to 1959
856.51
1959 Reimbursements
3,905.82
Total
4,762.33
128
Expenses:
Agent
Clerk
3,610.00 60.00
3,670.00
Unexpended Balance Carried to 1960
1,092.33
PUBLIC WELFARE FEDERAL AID:
1958 Balance Carried to 1959
11,884.30
1959 Reimbursements
27,635.00
Total
39,519.30
Expenses:
Cash Aid
29,534.25
Unexpended Balance Carried to 1960
9,985.05
VETERANS' SERVICES: Appropriated
17,315.00
Salary-Agent
600.00
Expenses:
Clerk
30.40
Office Expense
49.10
Travel
35.00
Association Dues & Meetings
23.45
Aid:
Cash Aid
8,494.88
Dental
43.00
Fuel
654.47
Drugs & Medical
996.55
Funeral
500.00
Doctors
818.00
Hospital
2,944.07
Miscellaneous
295.45
15,484.37
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
1,830.63
SCHOOL SALARIES & WAGES:
Appropriated
282,421.00
Salaries:
Administration
8,535.12
Instruction
244,799.04
Operation
22,179.53
Auxiliary Agencies
5,284.36
280,798.05
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
1,622.95
129
SCHOOL EXPENSES: Appropriated
77,974.00
Expenses:
Administration
2,928.03
Instruction:
Supplies
13,082.98
Textbooks
4,914.80
Other
866.25
Operation:
Fuel
8,093.27
Electricity
6,990.24
Supplies
4,070.59
Other
1,868.28
Maintenance:
High School
2,594.00
Spring Street School
303.26
Sunset Avenue School
982.78
General
4,064.23
Auxiliary Agencies:
Transportation
16,061.95
Tuition
3,143.05
Other
620.20
Capital Outlay:
General
6,098.15
76,682.06
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
1,291.94
SCHOOL HOT LUNCH:
1958 Balance Carried to 1959
300.09
1959 Reimbursements and Receipts: Sale of Lunches
38,817.75
Reimbursement from State
11,868.42
50,686.17
Total
50,986.26
Expenses:
Salaries and Wages
17,767.76
Foodstuffs
30,920.52
Supplies
717.61
Equipment Repair
224.74
Truck Hire
520.00
50,150.63
Unexpended Balance Carried to 1960
835.63
SCHOOL ATHLETICS: 1958 Balance Carried to 1959 23.01
130
Appropriated
3,500.00
Receipts and Admissions
3,352.77
Total
6,875.78
Expenses:
Officials
841.28
Equipment and Supplies
4,088.31
Transportation
975.50
Insurance
450.00
Miscellaneous
334.79
6,689.88
Unexpended Balance Carried to 1960
185.90
WILLIAM J. AND ANNA C. HOWARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND: 1958 Balance Carried to 1959
184.71
Interest Earned
168.75
Total
353.46
Expended
137.50
Unexpended Balance Carried to 1960
215.96
LIBRARY:
Appropriated
6,120.00
Salary-Librarian
2,000.00
Expenses:
Assistant Librarians
1,640.00
Office Expenses
138.65
Janitor
800.00
Utilities
353.21
Repairs
40.18
Books
898.10
Association Dues & Meetings
12.00
5,882.14
Balance
237.86
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
112.86
Unexpended Balance Carried to 1960-Equipment
125.00
LIBRARY TRUST FUNDS:
Earned and Expended
1,723.62
131
PARKS, MONUMENTS & FLAGS: Appropriated
3,716.00
Salary-Superintendent
2,646.00
Expenses:
Labor
245.10
Park Expense
471.95
Travel
50.00
Flags
20.00
Care of Memorial Field
100.00
3,533.05
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
182.95
CARE OF CEMETERIES:
Appropriated
500.00
Expenses:
Salaries & Wages
320.45
Supplies
88.70
Town Lots
90.00
499.15
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Revenue
.85
CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS:
Earned and Expended
242.05
WATER:
Appropriated
59,084.02
Salaries-Commissioners
1,000.00
Superintendent
4,500.00
Expenses:
Labor
9,323.10
Clerk Hire
507.30
Office Expenses
727.85
Call Station
480.00
Pipe, Fittings & Meters
4,584.26
Personal Services.
70.00
Electricity
4,404.90
Equipment Hire
1,141.40
Water Purification
359.35
Telephone
343.94
Insurance
135.18
Gas & Oil
648.88
Tools & Supplies
629.05
Truck Repairs
100.60
132
Road Repairs
101.00
Water
1,555.10
Heating Oil
292.50
Station Maintenance
646.41
Water Bonds & Interest
24,699.02
56,249.84
Unexpended Balance Reverting to Water Revenue
2,834.18
HIGHLAND AVENUE WATER MAINS:
Appropriated
5,000.00
Expenses:
Construction
4,924.87
Unexpended Balance Carried to 1960
75.13
SOUTH STREET PROJECT:
Balance Carried to 1959
4,090.94
Transferred to Highland Ave. Water Mains
3,000.00
Balance
1,090.94
Expenses:
Construction
926.00
Unexpended Balance Carried to 1960
164.94
GRAVEL PACKED WELL:
Balance Carried to 1959
39,864.20
Expenses: Construction
25,956.17
Unexpended Balance Carried to 1960 13,908.03
WATER BOND PREMIUM: Balance Carried to 1959 325.48
Expenses:
Water Bonds & Interest 325.48
133
MISCELLANEOUS:
Federal Withholding Taxes
49,120.15
Retirement Deductions
6,294.14
Dog Licenses
1,412.75
State Withholding Taxes
3,931.63
Plymouth County Tax Assessment
20,569.77
State Parks & Reservations
2,115.11
Auditing Municipal Accounts
747.94
Plymouth County Mosquito Control
1,901.00
Plymouth County Hospital
7,118.88
Old Colony Railroad
4,003.41
Tax Anticipation Notes
194,329.17
Refunds
6,624.38
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS
$1,249,682.76
WEST BI
PURI N:
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
FOR THE YEAR 1959
iF.
. .
-
.
-
-
+ .
136
MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1959-60
Thomas Kemp, Chairman, East Street JU 3-7461 Term expires 1961
Erland Thayer, 16 Union Street
JU 3-1402
Term expires 1961
Norman Churchill, East Street
JU 6-0610
Term expires 1960
Walter Olson, Prospect Street
JU 3-3122
Term expires 1960
Scovel Carlson, East Street
JU 7-0312
Term expires 1962
George Noonan, Crescent Street
JU 6-1971
Term expires 1962
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
SECRETARY
Mae E. Mather, 272 No. Elm Street, West Bridgewater JU 7-1310 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
137
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Douglas Eaton, Prospect Street, West Bridgewater JU 6-9191
WEST BRIDGEWATER SCHOOL DEPARTMENT School Calendar 1959 - 1960
Schools open Wednesday
September 9, 1959
Thanksgiving recess:
Schools close Wednesday noon
November 25, 1959
Schools re-open Monday
November 30, 1959
Christmas vacation: Schools close Wednesday noon
December 23, 1959
Schools re-open Monday
January 4, 1960
Winter vacation:
Schools close Friday
February 19, 1960
Schools re-open Monday
February 29, 1960
Spring vacation: Schools close Thursday Schools re-open Monday
April 14, 1960
April 25, 1960
Schools close Friday
June 24, 1960
Holidays:
Columbus Day, Monday
October 12, 1959
Plymouth County Teachers' Convention, Friday October 23, 1959
Veterans' Day, Wednesday
November 11, 1959
Memorial Day, Monday
May 30, 1960
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.,
138
no school grades 7-12 inclusive all day. 1 long - 2 short blasts of the fire alarm at 7:15 A.M., no school for 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.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1. Administration
1959 Budget 11,775.00
1959 Spent 11,463.15
2. Instruction
Salaries
246,140.00
244,799.04
Supplies
13,780.00
13,082.98
Textbooks
3,900.00
4,914.80
21" Classroom T.V.
300.00
292.25
Contingencies
300.00
314.00
Field Trips
500.00
260.00
3. Operation
Salaries
22,500.00
22,366.33
Removal of Rubbish
500.00
500.00
Fuel
8,200.00
8,093.27
Lights
7,000.00
6,990.24
Water
400.00
349.44
Gas
800.00
832.04
Supplies
4,200.00
4,070.59
4. Maintenance
8,355.00
7,944.27
5. Auxiliary Agencies
Health
5,761.00
5,907.00
Service OCMHA
600.00
233.80
Transportation
15,300.00
16,061.95
Tuition
2,700.00
3,143.05
Insurance
200.00
175.36
Miscellaneous
100.00
6. Capital Outlay
7,084.00
6,098.15
TOTALS
360,395.00
357,480.11
139
REIMBURSEMENTS 1959:
Chapter 70
61,299.08
Superintendent Salary
2,488.89
Transportation
8,822.26
Household Arts
2,372.03
Tuition Vocational
854.43
Transportation Vocational
185.30
Tuition & Transp. State Wards
1,191.68
Education Physically & Mentally Handicapped
2,678.35
National Defense Act
241.08
Total Reimbursement
77,644.21
Net Operation Cost for 1959
279,835.90
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP - OCTOBER 1, 1959
ELEMENTARY
1
2
3
4
5
6
TOTAL
Sunset Avenue
32
23
30
31
116
Spring Street
85
80
82
60
81
388
Junior High
101
101
Special Class
15
15
HIGH
7
8
9
10
11
12
High School
109
111
68
131
77
53
549
Total enrollment elementary and high school
1169
CENSUS REPORT
5 YEARS OF AGE 7 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER AND OR OVER AND UNDER16 UNDER 7
Boys
105
442
Girls
ill
443
Total
216
885
140
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
Two new members, Mr. Scovel Carlson and Mr. George Noonan, were elected to the School Committee in March. The terms of Charles Ensher and John C. Eldridge expired and they did not seek re-election.
At the committee organizational meeting, Mr. Thomas Kemp was elected chairman. Mr. Norman Churchill and Mr. Erland Thayer were elected to serve with Mr. Kemp as members of the West Bridgewater-Raynham School Union Committee.
It became apparent in the Spring of 1959 that the Town of Raynham would be in need of accommodations for their tenth grade pupils in the fall of 1959, for that school year. After much study by Mr. Merrill and Mr. Sperandio, our committee agreed that we would accommodate those pupils for one year. We are pleased to say it is being done and that our pupils have graciously accepted them and that they in turn have been real ladies and gentlemen and a credit to the Town of Raynham.
Although we can report some improvement in the leakage of tar in the cafeteria kitchen, we are still bothered by tar dropping in other sections of the high school, where dura-sol planking is ex- posed. It is particularly noticeable in the gymnasium. If this is not satisfactorily corrected by June 6, 1960, the contractor, according to written agreement with the town, must spot calk all joints in those areas.
Again we wish to thank all school personnel for their fine work and the contributions which they have made to educating our young citizens and so very many for their devotion beyond their call of duty.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS KEMP, Chairman ERLAND THAYER NORMAN CHURCHILL WALTER OLSON SCOVEL CARLSON GEORGE NOONAN
141
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the West Bridgewater School Committee:
I herewith submit my tenth annual report as Superintendent of Schools:
It is becoming increasingly evident that schools are attempting to teach pupils more realistically. What is taught and the manner of teaching, are more and more geared to what our citizens need to know. Many problems, such as, tolerance, responsibility, and proper nutrition, are receiving more attention than formerly.
Services rendered by the schools are constantly on the in- crease, such as, the development of the guidance program, school lunches, health clinics, recreational services and child care.
Increased attention is also being given to the growth and development of our young citizens. We are aware that good results are not secured wholly by exposing our pupils to learning; they must be taught to benefit from the same.
Teachers are conscious of their obligations and responsibilities and continually strive to fulfill them.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
Additional teachers will be required each year, especially in the high school, due to increased enrollment and the expansion and enrichment of the school program.
More new teachers were employed in the high school than in any previous year. In contrast, no new elementary teachers were needed.
New Teachers Appointed
Mrs. Esther Barnett
Miss Virginia Doyle
Mr. Harold Bent
Mr. Frederick Keylor
Mr. Charles Bunker
Miss Mary McCourt
Mrs. Janet Colford
Mrs. Doris Pailes
Mr. Robert Chapman
Mr. Thomas Peters
Miss Shirlye Dana
Miss Nancy Washburn
142
Resignations
Mrs. Lena Allaire
Mrs. Geraldine Meadows
Mr. Lawrence Cashin
Mr. Oliver Millett
Miss Miriam Kochakian
Mr. Joseph O'Brien
Mrs. Luice McCormack
Mr. John Tivnan
Mr. Frank Dunn, formerly a science teacher in the high school, was appointed Guidance Director, replacing Mr. Roger Viens, who resigned to accept a similar position in Concord, Massachu- setts.
Mrs. Warren Hill was appointed part time instructor of vocal music in grades 1-6 inclusive. This assistance in the Music Depart- ment enables Mr. Lewis, Supervisor of Music, to handle instru- mental instruction in all grades and the vocal music in the junior- senior high school.
SPECIAL CLASS
Superintendents of Schools in Bridgewater, East Bridgewater and myself, held several meetings during the year with Mr. Anthony DeLeo, Supervisor of Special Classes of the Department of Education, to discuss the feasibility of re-organizing the special class in each of the three towns. The primary purpose is to group pupils according to chronological and social age. It was agreed that a primary age group would be established in Bridgewater, an inter- mediate group in Raynham, and the older group in West Bridge- water. As a result, three pupils are transported daily to Bridgewater and five to Raynham. Four pupils from Bridgewater and two from Raynham are enrolled in the special class in this town.
ENROLLMENT
I have repeatedly stated in previous reports, the necessity of providing additional classrooms and other facilities, to take care of our continually increased enrollment.
Every available space in the junior-senior high school is now being utilized, and some of these areas were never intended to be used for classroom instruction. The quality of instruction is not seriously threatened by the condition now; however, unless definite provisions are made for added classrooms and for other needed facilities, providing a setting for an adequate educational program will be impossible.
143
NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION ACI
Application was made to the Department of Education for approval of expenditures for equipment in the fields of science, mathematics, modern foreign languages and guidance. Federal funds, when approved for such expenditures, are matched by local funds, and these reimbursements to the School Committee, for projects, are received, if the standards for approval are met. Reim- bursement in the amount of $241.08 has been received since last February, when the plan was declared effective by the United States Office of Education. I anticipate that additional reimburse- ments will be received before the end of the present school year.
PRE-SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Registration of pupils enrolling in the first grades was held at the Spring Street School on May 22. All first grade teachers were present to meet the parents and to discuss school matters with them.
MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL OUTLAY
New electrical equipment was purchased for the Household Arts Department in the high school, replacing equipment which required servicing at great expense. This equipment consisted of a washing machine, dryer, two stoves and refrigerator,
New curtains were installed in the high school cafeteria.
Some of the old steel lockers in the boys' dressing room were removed, and some were re-located, in order to provide space for basket lockers. This is the beginning of a plan to renovate the dressing room area and will be continued next year.
All classrooms on the second floor of the junior-senior high school were re-painted by the Custodians.
Venetian blinds were installed in two classrooms at the Spring Street School.
One classroom at the Sunset Avenue School was completely re-painted, new tile floors laid, window shades hung and fluorescent lights installed. This completes the plan of refinishing a section of the interior of the building each budget year. When the corridor and vestibule are painted and new floors laid, the refinishing of the interior will be complete.
144
A Gravely tractor and attachments was purchased.
A baseball backstop was erected on the baseball field.
Steel bleacher frames were purchased and erected on the foot- ball field. Frames were re-painted and new planks laid. A section of the driveway between the high school and the Spring Street School was black-topped.
The Plymouth County Teachers' Association Convention was held last October. A new policy of meetings in separate groups in various towns, recommended by the directors, was adopted. As a result, a junior high school group of teachers convened in this town.
Greetings were extended to the group by your superintendent in the general session, which was held in the auditorium. After the general session, specific education problems were discussed in small groups.
I wish again, to take this opportunity to thank the School Committee for their cooperation and support during the past 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 ninth annual report as principal of the West Bridgewater High School.
As each year goes by, the values derived from a good educa- tion become more and more evident. Many concerns will not now consider for employment anyone who does not have, as a minimum,
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a high school education or its equivalent. The colleges, too, have made their entrance requirements more difficult than ever before.
I am pleased to say that those students who satisfied our edu- cational requirements have been able to make the adjustment from school to the labor market. Some of our students have gone to schools of business, nursing and other areas and have done very well. Many of our students have matriculated to various colleges throughout the northeastern part of our country which, of course, is second to none in educational standards. They have made the adjustment very well. Some have been placed in advanced study groups. Others have been excused from certain basic requirements. In short, the students who take advantage of our school offerings can meet the competition squarely and successfully.
Last April, our school was evaluated by a fifteen-member com- mittee of school administrators and teachers from other communi- ties. This committee represented the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. After a very intensive investiga- tion of our school system, the committee commended our practices and recommended that the West Bridgewater High School be continued as an accredited secondary school under the standards as established by the Association. At the annual meeting of the Association on December 4, 1959, the West Bridgewater High School was voted continued accreditation.
I am very pleased with the activity in the library. We now have over 3,000 volumes and they are being used to very good ad- vantage. A great many students go to the library to use the various sets of reference books which are up-to-date, accurate and readable. In addition, approximately 100 volumes are loaned to students each week. This speaks very well for librarian, Mr. Moss, who contin- ually creates an interest in reading by means of posters, new books and by the use of a corridor showcase to make known to the pupils the many books which are available.
Mr. Frank Dunn, Jr., our new Director of Guidance, is doing a fine job in assuming the duties of his office. Our testing program and counseling services are going very well. A more detailed report of the activities of his office will be found in his report.
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Our driving training program is still very crowded and the re- quirements of a minimum of thirty clock-hours of class work plus twelve clock-hours of driving instruction with at least six hours behind the wheel are becoming more difficult to satisfy in view of our increased enrollment each year. We shall have to restrict this program to those who can be accommodated and are nearest to graduation.
The hot lunch program is again self-supporting. This was done by increasing the cost of the lunches by five cents. Although this increase caused a drop in the number of lunches served, it did result in an increase in the total receipts. However, the number of lunches served each day is climbing steadily and I am sure that the total number served will be greater than before.
The high school enrollment continues to rise rapidly. This year the enrollment in grades 7 through 12 was increased from 470 to 591. This increase was partially due to the addition of 45 pupils from Raynham. As you know, these pupils will not be with us next year but with an incoming class of 101 in grade seven next year, our enrollment will continue upward.
Every available classroom is now being used and, for the first time, the cafeteria is being used as a study hall and the library as a classroom for two-thirds of the day. You can easily see that with an increase of thirty to forty pupils each year, one more classroom should be made available annually.
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