Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1931-1935, Part 14

Author: Agawam (Mass. : Town)
Publication date: 1931
Publisher: Agawam (Mass. : Town)
Number of Pages: 812


USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1931-1935 > Part 14


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10,730.76


Tuition


1,903.69


Insurance on Buildings and Equipment 176.80


Miscellaneous Expenses


233.19


Outlay-New Equipment 880.00


Agriculture


2,215.95


Total $127,999.32


SMITH-HUGHES FUNDS (Federal)


Appropriation $ 282.51


Expenditures-Agricultural Dept., High


School


282.51


GEORGE-REED FUNDS (Federal)


Appropriation $ 40.65


Expenditures-Agricultural Dept., High


School


40.65


EXPENDITURES $ 5,399.53


86


COST OF SCHOOLS TO THE TOWN


Received from the State :


Reimbursement on account of Teachers'


Salaries


$ 20,309.00


Reimbursement for Agricultural Instruction


1,554.82


Reimbursement on account of Trade School Tuition


1,533.52


Reimbursement on account of Continuation School Tuition 55.48


Tuition for State Wards.


711.42


High School Tuition received from other towns


2,371.00


Received from Rental of School Buildings. ....


234.00


Miscellaneous


3.89


Total


$ 26,773.13


Amount paid for the schools from local


Taxation


$101,226.19


87


REPORT OF THE Superintendent of Schools


To the School Committee and the Citizens of Agawam :


I hereby submit the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools.


This report will be presented in three parts. Part I will give some tables and statistics in regard to school costs. Part II will give the tables of enrollment for the first part of the present school year and some comment upon the same. Part III will briefly mention some "Bright Spots" in our school system during the depression.


88


PART I BUDGETS TABLE I .- REDUCTIONS IN APPROPRIATIONS FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES FROM 1931 TO 1933 (This table is furnished by the State Department of Education)


Group I Cities


Appropriations


1931


Appropriations


1932


Appropriations


1933


Total


Decrease


Percentage


Decrease


Fall River


$1,449,650 $1,190,765 $1,183,963 $265,687 18.4


Westfield


348,787


341,657 302,887 45,991 13.2


Group II Towns and Cities


W. Springfield 356,000


325,100


285,000


71,000 20


Greenfield


321,544


303,163


265,514


56,030 17.5


Easthampton


146,000


I36,000


128,000


18,000 12.4


Athol


157,796


I54,000


131,430


26,366 16.8


Palmer


175,557


163,309


151,672


23,885 13.7


Ludlow


170,900


176,610


140,800


30,100 17.7


South Hadley


123,805


120,968


105,000


18,805 15.2


Amherst


127,899


124,500


118,500


7,000


7.4


Orange


85,000


80,000


72,000


13,000 15.3


Agawam


156,400


145,000


128,000


28,450 18.2


Group I-Average Percentage of Decrease 16.6 Group II-Average Percentage of Decrease II.7 State as a Whole-Average Percentage of Decrease 14


The object in presenting the above table is to give some comparable facts in regard to the reduction of school bud- gets. All of the above towns and cities are classified in Group II-that is a group of 83 towns and cities in the


89


Commonwealth of over 5000 population, except Fall River and Westfield. Fall River and Westfield belong to Group I-that is a group of 39 of the largest cities in the Common- wealth. Fall River figures are given because that city has received considerable attention due to the large budget re- duction. Westfield is mentioned because it is a city nearby and offers a basis of comparison.


The average percentage of decrease 1931-1933 for the entire 39 cities of Group I was 16.6. For the 83 cities and towns of Group II the average decrease was II.7 per cent. For the State as a whole the decrease was 14 per cent-for Agawam 18.2 per cent.


TABLE II .- PER-PUPIL EXPENDITURES FOR SCHOOL SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1931-1932


(By Major Divisions of the School Budget)


Expenditure per Pupil-


State as a whole


Expenditure per pupil-


Group II of 83 towns-


in which group Agawam


Expenditure per pupil in Agawam


General Control


$ 3.78


$ 3.22


$ 3.65


Salaries


69.89


63.69


56.03


Textbooks and Supplies


4.22


4.36 .


3.20


Operation


10.48


IO.22


10.00


Repairs


4.58


2.90


1.62


Libraries


.12


.15


.05


Health


1.61


1.5I


1.29


Transportation


2.66


3.36


6.30


Tuition


I.II


.55


.12


Miscellaneous


.74


.77


.24


Total


$99.19


$90.73


$82.50


is classified


90


TABLE III .- PER-PUPIL EXPENDITURES FOR SCHOOL SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1932-1933


(By Major Divisions of the School Budget)


Expenditure per Pupil-


State as a whole


Expenditure per pupil-


Group II of 83 towns-


in which group Agawam


Expenditure per pupil in Agawam


General Control


$ 3.53


$ 3.00


$ 2.90


Salaries


65.27


58.78


49.95


Textbooks and Supplies


3.06


3.42


2.63


Operation


9.61


9.50


9.43


Repairs


3.12


2.15


I.IO


Libraries


.12


.13


Health


1.47


1.40


1.00


Transportation


2.52


3.08


5.97


Tuition


I.IO


.46


.14


Miscellaneous


.60


.58


.42


Total


$90.40


$82.50


$73.54


is classified


The 1932 table was published in last year's report and pertinent comment was presented as to some contrasts in the figures relative to the town of Agawam. Since there has been a great change in the complexion of school bud- gets during the past year, as reference to Table I of this report shows, it is interesting to note how the major items of the school budget in the State, in Group II, and in Aga- wam have been influenced.


SALARIES


In 1932 the expenditure per pupil in the State as a whole was $99.19 ; in the towns of Group II the expenditure


91


per pupil was $90.73; in the Town of Agawam the expendi- ture per pupil was $82.50. In 1933 the corresponding fig- ures are as follows :- State as a whole $90.40; Group II towns $82.50; Agawam $73.54.


In 1932 the expenditure per pupil for teachers' salaries for the State as a whole was $69.89; for Group II towns $63.69; for Agawam $56.03. In 1933 the corresponding figures are as follows :- For the State as a whole $65.27; for Group II towns $58.78; for Agawam $49.95. In 1932 the per pupil expenditure for salaries in Agawam was $7.66 less than the average for her group, and in the group of 83 towns and cities Agawam ranked 47. In 1933 the per pupil expenditure for teachers' salaries was $8.63 per pupil less than the average for her group, and Agawam ranked 55 in the group; that is, there were 54 towns and cities in Group II ranking above Agawam.


Table I shows that the reduction in the school budget in Agawam was 18.2 per cent from 1931 to 1933. This, with the added fact that teachers' salaries were reduced 19 per cent, accounts for these changes. A similar study of all of the major items in these expenditures shows that less money per pupil is being spent in Agawam. The one im- portant exception is in the item of transportation. In last year's report the details of this difference were set forth. In brief, this difference exists in the fact that in Agawam the area of transportation is many times that of most of the towns and cities in her class.


In concluding this part of the report we are mindful of the fact that there are two bases of comparison for school budgets, namely: How do we rate when we compare our costs with the costs of cities and towns in our classification, and how do we rate when we compare our costs by what we can afford to pay? On the first basis of comparison Aga- wam rates below the average of her group; on the second basis of comparison Agawam commands a higher rating.


PART II-ENROLLMENT


The average membership of our schools is 54 pupils less this year than last year. This is the first year that a de-


92


crease in membership has ever been reported. This de- crease is, for the most part, found in the elementary grades. In the junior-senior high school there are 31 more pupils this year than last year. From present indications it ap- pears that our school population will remain at about the present status for some time.


There is one point of congestion in school enrollment at Agawam Center which seems likely to continue unless addi- tional rooms are provided. During the past few years sev- eral sixth grade pupils have been transported out of this dis- trict to North Agawam. This procedure was necessary in order to organize the sixth grade at the Center without going on part-time instruction. If two additional classrooms could be provided, our school program at the Center would be strengthened. Without such provision it will be neces- sary to continue the transportation of pupils to North Agawam.


93


ATTENDANCE REPORT FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE PRESENT SCHOOL YEAR September 6-December 22, 1933


Total Mem- bership


Average Mem- bership


Average Per cent


Daily At- At- tendance tendance


Tardi- ness


High School


Senior High III


82


78.16


74.38


95.16


58


Senior High II


77


74.82


70.95


94.83


24


Senior High I


I32


126.48


I 19.82


94.74


75


Junior High III


I7I


161.77


154.52


95.52


75


Junior High VIII-I


35


34.12


32.81


96.16


I


Junior High VIII-2


33


32.38


30.82


95.18


4


Junior High VIII-3


30


29.78


29.II


97.71


1


Junior High VIII-4


32


31.IO


30.13


96.87


I


Junior High VIII-5


38


38.00


37.28


98.10


I


Junior High VII-I


38


38.00


36.92


97.13


4


Junior High VII-2


40


38.03


36.60


96.24


2


Junior High VII-3


33


31.25


29.58


94.67


3


Junior High VII-4


39


37.42


35.01


93.56


2


Jr. High Spec. Class 27


26.87


25.34


94.31


I


North Agawam School


Grade VI


39


38.09


36.55


95.94


19


Grade V


49


48.25


46.47


96.31


7


Grade IV


34


32.96


31.99


97.07


9


Grades III-IV


.34


31.77


29.13


91.69


I2


Grade III


3I


30.19


29.15


96.55


7


Grade II


32


30.36


28.42


93.59


8


Grades I-II


28


27.37


25.92


94.70


I3


Grade I


33


32.23


29.77


92.37


5


Special Class


19


17.54


16.34


93.15


5


Agawam Center School


Grade VI


57


52.51


50.07


95.35


9


Grade V


43


39.57


37.81


95.55


7


Grades IV-V


37


34.97


33.35


95.38


4


Grade IV


42


40.68


38.21


93.92


6


Grade III


42


37.48


34.45


91.90


18


Grade II


44


41.48


37.86


91.27


I3


Grade I


46


41.23


36.73


89.08


II


94


Springfield St. School


Grade VI


39


37.15


35.16


94.64


3


Grades V-VI


32


30.60


28.99


94.72


II


Grade V


36


35.05


33.73


96.23


I3


Grade IV


4I


38.95


36.90


94.74


II


Grade III


38


34.88


32.99


94.58


7


Grade II


35


31.68


30.64


96.71


18


Grade I


45


43.00


39.84


92.65


19


Feeding Hills School


Grades V-VI


34


33.29


32.17


96.62


I


Grades IV-V


41


40.23


38.62


95.98


2


Grades II-III


34


32.54


31.32


96.25


4


Grade I


24


22.65


21.12


93.42


3


West St. School


Grades I-II-III-IV


30


25.19


23.54


92.45


6


Total Membership for Town


1846


Average Membership for Town


1760.07


Average Daily Attendance for Town


1670.51


Per cent Attendance for Town


94.91


Tardiness for Town


506


Average Membership January, 1933


1814.46


Decrease in Average Membership


54.39


PART III


The theme of the third part of this report is "Bright Spots in the Depression." Let us turn our thoughts away from enrollment, salary decreases, and depleted funds for maintenance, for, in spite of these material losses, there has been no decline in spiritual values.


SPIRIT OF THE TEACHERS


Those in charge of the instruction of our children have in many ways proved that they possess the true qualities of teachers. Although the burdens of life have been in- creased both inside and outside of the classroom, neverthe- less our teachers have not faltered, but have applied them- selves with greater energy to their work. This spirit has been very helpful to our schools in that it has kept our schools up to standard.


95


THE SCHOOL PROGRAM INTACT


Whatever school projects have been established in Aga- wam have had as their guarantors the traditions and the experiences of the citizens. Art, Music, Physical Training, Manual Training, Domestic Science and Vocational Train- ing have not been kept in the school system because they were untouchable, but because they possess those educa- tional values which the community felt that it could not sacrifice without suffering a great loss. Our school pro- gram has' persisted in this depression.


SCHOOL ATTENDANCE


The attendance of our pupils during the past year has been prompt and regular. The per cent of school attend- ance for the year is 95.52, the highest record we have ever made. The following home visits because of absences were made :


Absent on account of tardiness 20


Absent on account of sickness 80


Absent for lack of shoes and clothing 20


Absent because needed at home by parents 54


Absent-Truants II


Total number of home visits 185


There were no serious cases of truancy. Our schools have become a desirable place in the storm of the de- pression.


BUILDING ACCOMMODATIONS


With the exception of an overcrowded condition in the sixth grade at Agawam Center our school population has been properly housed. It is true that in spots our class- room enrollment is rather large, a condition forced upon Agawam and most other places in the Commonwealth by economic stress. No pupil in our system, however, is denied proper seating facilities nor has there been any thought of double sessions.


The addition to the Junior-Senior High School finished in 1929 was particularly designed to meet the added load of one hundred and fifty pupils brought in by the depression.


96


With such accommodations for our high school pupils we are most fortunate.


TRANSPORTATION


There are several aspects of our school transportation which should be mentioned. By the aid of the busses 25 pupils are transported from Agawam Center to North Aga- wam, thereby preventing serious overcrowding at the Cen- ter building and saving the town at least the services of one teacher. Again, these busses convey children from all parts of the town to the special classes which are located in the High School and in the North Agawam building. At the present time 635 pupils are conveyed to and from school each day by the busses. It is gratifying to report that this important responsibility has been met during the past year without injury to any pupil and without any loss of school time.


EXTRA CURRICULA ACTIVITIES


A complete program of the essential athletic activities, namely : baseball, football, basketball and hockey has been enacted during the year. These activities possess impor- tant educational values. They are self-supporting in our schools. We are grateful that the depression has not been able to blot out these activities.


HEALTH OF PUPILS AND TEACHERS


The health of the pupils throughout the town during the past year has been exceptionally good. In some respects this has been the healthiest year of the past decade. The following report of Mrs. Black and Dr. Wheeler will give the details of their work in health.


97


REPORT ON MEDICAL INSPECTION


Dr. Wheeler's inspection found the following number of cases :


Tonsils and Adenoids


507


Defective Teeth


700


Slight Goiter


IO


Orthopedic Cases 7 . .


Glands 60 .


Poor Nutrition 3I .


Cardiac Cases 23


No. of Children Vaccinated


207


No. of Pupils found to be Physically Fit


500


Report of the School Nurse


No. of Schools Visited 7


No. of Visits to Schools 672


No. of Visits to Homes 332


No. of First Aid Treatments in School 733


No. of Inspections for Pediculous, etc.


380


No. of Pupils taken to Physician and Oculist.


I34


No. of Pupils taken to Hospital for Tonsil and Adenoid operations 17


No. of cases of Scarlet Fever 4


No. of cases of Chicken Pox


32


No. of cases of Mumps 26


No. of cases of Whooping Cough


89


.


Two mornings a week during the months of January and February were spent assisting Dr. Richey at Dental Clinics. The pupils in all of the schools were weighed four times and measured twice during the year. Twelve children were taken to Camp Keepwell.


98


One hundred and twenty-five pupils and 123 pre-school children were given Toxin-Anti-Toxin on May 1, 8 and 15, making a total of 735 inoculations.


In April the Hampden County Tuberculosis Association conducted a Chest Clinic at the High School. Seventy examinations and seventy X-rays were taken. One Pulmo- nary case and one Hilum T. B. case were admitted to the Westfield Sanitarium. Fifteen suspicious cases were re- turned for examination and X-ray.


Shoes, rubbers, dental work, eye examinations and glasses and school lunches were furnished by the Teachers' Fund.


My sincere appreciation to the parents, Superintendent, principals and teachers for their courtesy and cooperation.


MARY LOUISE BLACK, School Nurse


Our teachers have the privilege of five days of absence from their classrooms on account of sickness, with full pay. The average number of days of absence for each teacher last year was I.2 days.


99


HIGH SCHOOL LUNCH ROOM REPORT


The following table gives the financial status of our lunch room.


Receipts


Stock on hand June, 1932 $ 54.79


Cash on hand June, 1932


519.02


Receipts from September, 1932, to June, 1933 .. 4,517.77


Total


$5,091.58


Expenses


Salaries from September, 1932, to June, 1933 ... .. $1,505.57


Food from September, 1932, to June, 1933 ...... 3,284.81


Supplies from September, 1932, to June, 1933 .. 75.10


Stock on hand June, 1933. 71.75


Cash on hand June, 1933. I54.35


Total


$5,091.58


Some pertinent facts about the lunch room:


I. The lunch room is self-supporting.


2. The depression has not lowered the quality or quan- tity of the food served.


3. The lunch room provides steady employment to three helpers. Twelve student helpers receive lunches for their services.


4. The lunch room has a good name at home and abroad.


100


SPIRIT OF PUPILS


The spirit of the pupils in all of the elementary schools and in the junior-senior high school has been cooperative, constructive and loyal. The depression has had its influ- ence upon them in many ways, but the depression has not discouraged them, nor has it as yet dulled their enthusiasm for seeking the higher values which their schools fortu- nately have to offer them.


REFUNDS


The town has received during the past year on account of our schools $27,096.29. This is the largest financial re- turn to the town ever made in one year by the School De- partment. Of course, this is a bright light in the darkness of the depression-we need this material assistance. The fact, however, that the State has been able to keep up its refunds is significant, for it is an eloquent testimony to the desire of the citizens of our towns and cities and of our State as a whole to protect and preserve our educational system for the benefit of our children.


CONCLUSION


Never before in the history of our State has the financial support of education in one year receded so sharply as in the past year. In order that this financial loss might not function to accomplish great harm to our schools, it was imperative that all forces in the educational program work together in harmonious relationship. Because of the prev- alence of this spirit of cooperation there has been no retreat from the former high standards of the Agawam schools.


Respectfully submitted,


BENJAMIN J. PHELPS, Superintendent of Schools


IOI


REPORT OF THE JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


Dear Mr. Phelps :


I hereby present my seventh annual report of the Aga- wam Junior-Senior High School.


In each of my six preceding reports I attempted to give adequate expression in regard to the high morals of the student body and the splendid cooperation of the entire fac- ulty. Once again I am happy to convey the tidings to you and the community at large, that the members of this insti- tution continue to be thoroughly en rapport. Compared to this vigorous, spiritual wholesomeness it seems that all other factors are definitely of secondary importance. A school system may have a teaching force composed of doc- tors of philosophy and masters of science, it may boast of its expensive and complete laboratory equipment and its tile swimming tank, but without this sympathetic under- standing and harmony of purpose of which I speak, it is indeed as an empty shell. With it, even a major depression finds us well fortified. We know that our stand during these strenuous years has not gone unnoticed, and we sin- cerely hope that better days are near at hand.


School Membership :


Since the last report there has been a slight falling off in membership in grades seven and eight, but a decided in- crease in grade ten and a small increase in grade eleven. Most of the high schools are reporting a similar condition ; that is, that more and more students are staying on through the higher grades. The new rulings of the Federal gov- ernment will tend to accentuate this condition, inasmuch


I02


as boys and girls of high school age are not wanted as workers. The following tabulation makes it convenient to compare our present enrollment with that of the previous two years.


GRADE


Post Grad. Total


Year


7


8


9


10


11


12


1931-32


183


161


125


93


65


63


5


695


1932-33


187


176


162


96


73


71


9


774


1933-34


178


167


167


133


78


72


8


803


Some Statistics :


24 members of last year's ninth grade failed to earn tenth grade classification.


13 members of last year's eighth grade were not pro- moted ; 32 members were conditioned.


IO members of last year's seventh grade were not pro- moted.


12 pupils entered the seventh grade on condition.


Again this September it was necessary to organize an- other home room, which makes a total of 22 home rooms in the building.


There are 27 full time teachers and two part time teach- ers employed in this school.


At the present time there are 386 alumni.


Needs of the School:


Operating a school system on a depleted budget for one year is not too serious, but a continued curtailment of school revenue is bound to have a deleterious effect. Equip- ment wears out, books become tattered and out of date, the larger classes need increased supplies of stationery, etc., new reference and supplementary books are needed. Funds are needed to carry on the visual education program and to allow for desirable assembly programs and so on.


A most urgent need is for a substantial fence to protect our athletic field. Without it we have created a nuisance for the people living on Reed Street. More than that, we


103


have been unable to collect sufficient gate revenue at our football games to pay operating expenses, so that the ath- letic association is heavily in debt. We also need bleach- ers on the field. It is imperative that our athletic associa- tion have immediate assistance if we are to carry on our present athletic program.


Pro Merito:


Last year there were ten members of the senior class who maintained an average grade of 85% or higher in all subjects for three years, and were thereby eligible for Pro Merito distinction. Their average grade was 87.3%. This year there are eleven members of the senior class who have attained Pro Merito rating, their average grade being 88.5%. The distribution of marks for the whole school continues to be according to recommendations. The aver- age grade is approximately 77%, with about 7% of the marks below the passing mark of 70%.


Noteworthy School Events :


To convey the general extra-program of the school, I will list some of the outstanding activities of the past year.


Dec. 15-March 7. Twenty Basketball Games. 14 Won, 6 Lost.


Jan. 10. Athletic Association Bridge and Whist Party (Profit $140).


Jan. 14. Agawam Mirror Dance (Profit $5).


Feb. 24. Operetta "Captain Crossbones" (Profit $25). March 17. St. Patrick's Day Party for Sophomores. April 26. Senior Play "Tons of Money" (Profit $100).


May II-June 12. Seven Baseball Games. 3 Won, 4 Lost.


May 19. Junior Prom.


May 23. Girls' Gymnasium and May Day Exhibition.


June 13. Class Night.


June 16. Graduation (Dr. Payson Smith, speaker).


Sept. II. Faculty Picnic at Mt. Tom Reservation.


104


Oct. 6-Nov. II. Six Football Games. 3 Won, 2 Lost, I Tied.


Oct. 18-30. Magazine Campaign (Profit $93.25).


Oct. 24. Teachers' Club Military Whist (Profit $44).


Nov. 3. Junior Cabaret.


Nov. 24. Operetta "H. M. S. Pinafore" (Profit $30).


Dec. 29. Christmas Play "Why the Chimes Rang."


Central Banking System:


Until this year it has been the custom to have the vari- ous clubs, classes, and other school organizations take com- plete charge of their own finances. The obvious result was that as student officers succeeded each other it was dif- ficult and confusing to keep the books in a business-like way. This year we have inaugurated a centralized banking system which is under the expert supervision of the book- keeping department. A definite procedure is followed and all funds are deposited in one bank account known as the "Agawam Junior-Senior High School Student Organiza- tions." Deposits and withdrawals are made according to a carefully prescribed plan. More than being a very con- venient checking device for everybody concerned, the plan gives valuable business training to the various students involved.


The Valley Wheel :


For several years the principals of the high schools in this vicinity have been considering plans with which to foster more desirable inter-school relationships. It has been the consensus of opinion that there are academic advan- tages which might be made concomitant with inter-school athletic contests. Instead of placing the entire emphasis on winning ball games, it was thought wise to promote friendly rivalry in other fields, such as debating, dramatics, oratoricals, school publications, orchestra, and, at the same time, bring about a more rational athletic situation by means of more direct control.


"The Valley Wheel" was organized this fall by the prin- cipals of the several high schools concerned and has already made manifest some of the inherent potentialities. Sched-


105


ules and officials for games are being assigned; a one-act play contest is under way; an oratorical contest is being planned; a monthly meeting of editors of school publica- tions is being arranged; a plaque is being offered for the school showing the best sportsmanship during the basket- ball games, etc. As this project develops, I think we shall all discover that our inter-school activities will assume a more important position in the general educational scheme, and our relationships with other schools will be on a more tolerant and friendly basis.




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