Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1931-1935, Part 21

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 21


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department function with machine-like accuracy and effi- ciency without suitable and up-to-date textbooks and sup- plies. Nor can any school system attain the finest results without a competent and loyal teaching force. By the spirit with which they accepted their salary cuts, we know that our teachers are loyal and true, and we believe that the time is at hand when the tax payers should show their appreciation of the sacrifices made by our teachers during the past three years.


In 1933 we received as reimbursement from the State School Fund on account of teachers' salaries $20,309. For 1934 the same item returned to us from the State was only $17,400, a loss of over $2,900. This shrinkage was due to two things, a smaller teaching force and a lower wage scale for many of our teachers. According to the manner in which the General School Fund operates we have a number of instructors on our staff whose rate of pay is so low that the granting to them of an increase of $100 for the year 1935 would automatically return to us from the State Fund $100 additional for each teacher in this group. Conse- quently, it would seem to us a matter of good business to grant such increases, thereby cementing more firmly the loyalty of that portion of our teaching corps. Many people seem to think that the teaching job is a soft snap, with short hours and big pay. How many of us realize that the successful elementary grade teacher has spent ten to fifteen years in preparing for that position? Do we realize, too, that our top-notch high school instructors have spent fifteen to twenty years of preparation, besides numerous summer courses at our leading University Summer Schools? So, then, let us think kindly of the men and women who are helping to form and shape the habits and characters of the future citizens of our nation.


Now a word as to our financial needs for 1935. At the present writing it seems absolutely impossible to operate our schools another year on the amount granted us for 1934. In the first place, our fuel costs must of necessity be at least $1,500 more than last year, due to the fact that


94


all coal prices are now fixed by code. For several years past we have spent only a minimum for textbooks, but we have now reached the point where our school books are in such condition that many replacements must be made. This bill will probably amount to at least $1,000 additional. Another increased item of expense will be Trade School tuition. We have a number of boys in our school who have already expressed a desire to attend that school next September, when its new addition will be ready to take care of our increased enrollment. Stationery and general sup- ply prices are, as you know, fixed by the N R A code. For the past year we have been obliged to scrimp on these items, so we must expect in 1935 to spend at least $500 more than in 1934.


The State Building Inspector would like to condemn the Feeding Hills Center School Building as a safety measure. However, by the installation of fire-stop partitions in the corridors on the first and second floors, he will permit us to carry on our school program there. This item, according to best available estimates, will cost us at least $500. New fire boxes at Agawam Center and Feeding Hills Center, together with other repairs, mean an increase of several hundred dollars for this department. There are other items that must necessarily show some increase over 1934 expen- ditures, and the most important of these is the matter of renewing a number of our typewriters. These are the more important items of expense that must be considered when our 1935 School Budget is established. We have always had the loyal support of the citizens of Agawam, and we are sure that our schools still merit that same generous co-operative spirit.


Another matter that we would like to bring to your attention at this time is the erection of a suitable fence around our High School property. Many of the residents of Reed Street, whose properties adjoin the High School grounds, have justification for advocating the building of such a fence. When Agawam plays a football game on her home grounds, the Reed Streeters are overrun by an army


95


1


of trespassers, old and young. A fence around the field would eliminate to a great extent this condition of affairs, and would at the same time give a big boost to the finances of the Athletic Association. Let's placate the ire of Reed Street and at the same time make it possible for future championship football teams to keep out of the financial "red."


You will notice by our Superintendent's report that there is a strong probability of overcrowded conditions obtaining at the Agawam Center School next September. As a build- ing program is out of the question at this time, some other solution must be found to relieve the situation likely to exist there in the fall.


At North Agawam we have had slight trouble with the heating system. Several of the radiators have caught on some of our coldest nights and have had to be thawed out by the janitor. It has been suggested that a blower installed in one of the boilers might remedy the situation. That would involve an expenditure of about $400, but it might in the long run, be a measure of economy.


For the past few years we have, as a measure of retrench- ment, dispensed with the services of our truant officers. Tardiness and truancy seemed to be on the increase in 1934 and it would seem imperative that in 1935 we provide funds for the services of at least one attendance officer.


During the fall term our heating plant in the small wood- en building at Feeding Hills Center failed us, after about thirty-five years of service, and having no funds with which to replace it, we were obliged to transfer the pupils in that grade to the vacant room in the main building.


During the winter months a program of adult recrea- tional activities approved by the State Department of Edu- cation and financed by the Federal Government was con- ducted at the High School under the direction of Ralph Channell, an Agawam boy and a graduate of the Spring-


96


field College. A similar set-up will be lined up again this winter if present plans go through.


Considerable painting, masonry work and general repair- ing was done in 1934 by workmen employed on various government projects. One project now under way, which should prove of great value to the school authorities, is the taking of a school census. When the school returns are filed each year with the State, certain facts pertaining to pre-school children and to illiterate minors over school age must be reported. An accurate census of those groups will greatly facilitate the compiling of State returns.


As usual, we wish in conclusion to thank all parents, teachers and pupils who have in any way helped by their loyalty and devotion the cause of better schools and higher school morale. Let us hope that when the fickle hand of destiny shuffles the cards for 1935 that we will all get a New and Better Deal.


Respectfully submitted,


CLIFFORD M. GRANGER, Chairman SIDNEY F. ATWOOD JOSEPH L. ROY MRS. GRACE B. REED WARREN C. BODURTHA JOHN J. CALDON


97


.


Financial Statement


DECEMBER 31, 1934


Appropriation


$ 125,000.00


EXPENDITURES


General Expense


$ 5,190.60


Salaries of Teachers, Supervisors and


Principals


77,332.70


Text Books


2,232.23


Stationery and Supplies


3,849.89


Wages of Janitors


8,356.66


Fuel


5,058.20


Miscellaneous Operating Expenses


2,865.07


Repairs and Replacements


1,503.66


School Libraries


26.70


Health


1,896.50


Transportation


10,614.81


Tuition


1,704.26


Insurance on Buildings and Equipment


875.00


Miscellaneous Expenses


300.95


Outlay-New Equipment


961.11


Agriculture


2,230.79


Total


$ 124,999.13


SMITH-HUGHES FUNDS (Federal)


Appropriation $ 259.98


Expenditures-Agricultural Dept., High


School


259.98


98


GEORGE-REED FUNDS (Federal)


Appropriation $ 34.28 Expenditures-Agricultural Dept., High


School


34.28


COST OF SCHOOLS TO THE TOWN


Received from the State :


Reimbursement on account of Teachers' Salaries


$ 17,400.00


Reimbursement for Agricultural Instruction


1,416.76


Reimbursement on account of Trade School Tuition


924.55


Tuition for State Wards


433.34


High School Tuition received from other towns


2,330.00


Received from Rental of School Buildings .... 141.00


Received from Manual Training Supplies. .....


266.46


Miscellaneous Receipts


3.13


Total


$ 22,915.24


Amount paid for schools from local


Taxation $ 102,083.89


99


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 :


THE AGAWAM SCHOOLS AND THE NEW ERA


It is frequently stated from platform and by press that we are living in a new era. Whatever may be our thought about the truth of such an assertion, we cannot escape the conclusion that our social structure is being assailed by new and powerful forces which cannot fail to make impor- tant changes in the thought and action of our citizens. At the present time it is impossible to foresee what permanent changes will come to pass. We are in the pains of tran- sition from a known system to an unknown system. Whenever in the past great changes have taken place in the social structure, remarkable changes in educational procedures naturally have followed. In the period of tran- sition, however, educational forces are in a static condi- tion or in a state of retreat. The operating theory is that any change must reflect an established and stabilized social structure. In this period of transition the Agawam schools have been influenced somewhat, but no permanent changes have been made in procedures.


This report will present items of interest in regard to both the elementary and the secondary schools.


100


BUDGETS


TABLE I .- 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


ยท 4.22


4.36


3.20


Operation


10.48


10.22


10.00


Repairs


4.58


2.90


1.62


Libraries


.12


.15


.05


Health


1.61


1.51


1.29


Transportation


2.66


3.36


6.30


Tuition


1.11


.55


.12


Miscellaneous


.74


.77


.24


Total


$99.19


$90.73


$82.50


is classified


101


TABLE II .- 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


1.10


Libraries


.12


.13


Health


1.47


1.40


1.00


Transportation


2.52


3.08


5.97


Tuition


1.10


.46


.14


Miscellaneous


.60


.58


.42


Total


$90.40


$82.50


$73.54


is classified


102


TABLE III .- PER-PUPIL EXPENDITURES FOR SCHOOL SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1933-1934


(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


General Control


$ 3.30


$ 2.90


$ 2.83


Salaries


63.06


56.37


44.74


Textbooks and Supplies


3.40


3.83


3.42


Operation


9.65


9.74


10.14


Repairs


3.06


2.52


1.09


Libraries


.10


.16


Health


1.46


1.39


1.18


Transportation


2.46


3.03


6.14


Tuition


1.05


.43


Miscellaneous


.67


.65


.68


Total


$88.21


$81.02


$70.22


is classified


Agawam


Note: Group II includes 83 towns of over 5,000 popula- tion. Agawam is classified in Group II.


The question may be asked what is the value in a report of these tables of comparative expenditures? The answer is that study of these tables will show how the local appro- priations are being expended in the educational program. The educational program in Agawam is virtually the same as that in force in all of the towns and cities in the State. We may take pride in the fact that the educational set-up and accomplishment in Agawam measures up in a high degree with that of the towns and cities in Agawam's


103


group. There is a certainty that our citizens desire this to be so and would not be content to have it otherwise.


Let us consider the costs of the various items that are listed by the Major Divisions of the Budget. The costs of Books and Supplies from the merchants under prevailing codes are the same throughout the State. In Agawam we are expending less money per pupil on these items than the towns of our class. Over the period of three years the differential in favor of Agawam is considerable. The costs of General Control, Salaries of Teachers, Repairs, Libraries, Health and Tuition are less in Agawam than is the case in the State as a whole and in Group II cities and towns. In the item of Transportation the costs in the State as a whole and in Group II cities and towns is less than in Agawam. This condition is due to the fact that the area of transporta- tion is much greater in Agawam in its relation to the num- ber of pupils transported than is the case in the State as a whole, or in the cities and towns of Group II. The above expenditures per pupil are derived from dividing the costs of transportation by the total number of pupils enrolled in the State and towns. The true picture of the costs of transportation are obtained by dividing the expenditures for transportation by the number of pupils actually trans- ported, that is, those who are benefited by the service. The last investigation by the State in this field found that the cost per day for each pupil transported was 18.3 cents. The cost per bus mile was 35.9 cents. In Agawam the cost of transporting a pupil is 10 cents per day, the cost per bus mile is 28 cents.


In the school year 1934 Agawam, on the basis of per pupil expenditures from local taxation, ranked 53 in Group II, consisting of 83 towns and cities; that is, there were 52 towns and cities ranking above Agawam in per pupil ex- penditures, and 29 towns and cities ranking below Agawam in per pupil expenditures.


A study of these tables clearly demonstrates that in this transition period from the old to the new there has been a tremendous curtailment of expenditures for public school education, not alone in Agawam but in the State as a whole.


104


ENROLLMENTS AND ATTENDANCE ATTENDANCE REPORT FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE PRESENT SCHOOL YEAR September 5-December 21, 1934


Total MIem- bership


Average Mem- bership


Average Daily At- tendance


Per cent At- tendance


Tardi- ness


High School


Senior High III


70


69.88


67.69


96.87


55


Senior High II


104


100.93


97.38


96.48


87


Senior High I


134


131.44


125.97


95.84


71


Junior High III


174


170.38


163.32


95.86


55


Junior High VIII-1


37


36.69


35.53


96.75


3


Junior High VIII-2


37


35.42


34.16


96.44


2


Junior High VIII-3


38


36.31


35.34


97.32


3


Junior High VIII-4


26


25.25


23.84


95.61


4


Junior High VII-1


38


37.16


35.59


95.70


0


Junior High VII-2


39


39.00


37.60


96.41


4


Junior High VII-3


39


36.96


34.88


94.37


1


Junior High VII-4


40


36.75


34.98


95.18


4


Jr. High Spec. Class 26


25.37


24.90


94.95


6


North Agawam School


Grade VI


44


42.16


40.81


96.76


1


Grade V


34


32.78


31.79


97.54


10


Grades IV-V


31


30.64


29.07


94.88


5


Grade IV


33


31.96


30.57


95.65


4


Grade III


34


31.56


30.68


97.23


8


Grade II


41


40.26


38.23


94.96


9


Grade I


42


38.90


36.75


94.48


16


Special Class


20


19.17


17.71


92.42


2


Agawam Center School


Grade VI


53


51.35


48.76


94.96


5


Grade VA


39


37.35


35.66


95.47


7


Grade VB


30


29.88


28.31


94.75


9


Grade IV


38


35.71


34.62


96.95


2


Grade III


42


41.56


38.08


91.62


18


Grade II


46


45.19


42.13


93.23


8


Grade IA


42


39.82


34.18


85.83


11


Grade IB


15


13.69


12.45


90.94


1


105


Springfield St. School


Grade VIA


28


26.40


25.03


94.81


3


Grade VIB


27


25.84


24.90


96.36


13


Grade V


39


35.44


33.47


94.44


13


Grade IV


43


41.33


39.49


95.55


9


Grade III


35


34.82


33.75


96.93


9


Grade II


39


36.35


33.91


93.29


16


Grade I


44


38.94


35.80


91.94


22


Feeding Hills School


Grade VI


24


23.79


23.37


98.23


1


Grades IV-V


42


41.75


40.62


97.28


7


Grades II-III


35


37.54


36.49


97.17


1


Grade I


25


24.27


23.43


96.53


10


West St. School


Grades I-II-III-IV


20


20.00


19.76


97.40


9


Total Membership for Town


1787


Average Membership for Town


1729.99


Average Daily Attendance for Town


1651


Per cent Attendance for Town


95.43


Tardiness for Town


524


Average Membership December, 1933


1760.07


Decrease in Average Membership 30.08


The following home visits because of absences were made :


Absent on account of tardiness


13


Absent on account of sickness 100


Absent on account of lack of clothing


8


Needed at home by parents


12


Moved out of town


6


Kept at home by parents


39


Absent by order of school doctor


8


Absent-Truants


39


Total number of home visits 225


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There has been a slight decrease in the Average Mem- bership of pupils in the town during the past year. The data in the table shows that decrease to be 30 pupils. This decrease was in the elementary schools. There were sev- eral spots where increases and decreases in enrollments gave cause for administrative problems. These problems were adjusted as follows :


At Agawam Center 55 pupils were enrolled in Grade I. It was necessary to form a small grade of 15 pupils and to locate this grade in a small room adjoining the hall on the second floor of the Center building. A substitute teacher was added to the teaching staff for the instruction of these pupils. There are 69 pupils enrolled at the Center in the fifth grade, and for the first time in the history of the school there are two rooms given up entirely to the housing of the fifth graders. The enrollment of 46 pupils in the second grade is unusually large.


In North Agawam there was a decrease in the number of first grade pupils and for the first time Grades I and II are housing all of the pupils enrolled in this group. The grades are rather large, numbering 42 and 41, respectively. One teacher was dropped from the teaching staff of this building.


There was an increase of 27 pupils in the Senior High School. The enrollment in the Senior High School last year was rather large for the Senior High School staff. The addition of 27 new pupils made it necessary to add a new teacher to this department.


The trend of enrollments in the new era is as follows: For the elementary grades a slight falling off, due to a decreased birth rate. For the secondary school a rather large increase, due to the fact that society has no place for adolescents other than the schools.


BUILDINGS


Our buildings are adequate at the present time for the housing of our school population. The only place of over- crowding is at Agawam Center. The use of the hall-way


107


room cannot be discontinued with such a large group in the first and second grades. The sixth grade in Sepetmber, 1935, will number upwards of 70 pupils. This large num- ber cannot be housed in the Center building. There are three possible solutions to the situation: (1) Build an ad- dition of two rooms to the Center building; (2) go on part time for the second and sixth grades; (3) re-district tem- porarily North Agawam to include Suffield and Reed Streets within its bounds. Solution number one seems to be out of the question for financial reasons. Solution num- ber two is not attractive-Agawam has never been partial to part-time instruction for pupils. Into this case also enters the problem of transportation, which would increase con- siderably the cost of part-time work. Solution number three seems to offer the best adjustment, for at North Aga- wam there is an extra room which could be used for this increased enrollment.


The State building inspector has recently demanded that the Committee take steps to lessen the fire hazards of the Feeding Hills Center School, which must be done at con- siderable expense. This raises the question of a new school building for Feeding Hills. The question is quite proper, but an affirmative answer at this time seems remote be- cause of financial conditions in the town. If considerable sums of money must continually be spent for the repairs and improvement of the present building, the question must also arise, would not a new building be a good investment ? An attractive school building in Feeding Hills is desirable from many viewpoints.


CURRICULUM


The educational procedure of our country with its great- ly augmented enrollments in the secondary field is stand- ing at the crossroads. No important changes have been made as yet. Here and there a few new courses have been added to the curriculum to facilitate and alleviate the ad- ministration of this large group. In Agawam the addition of a course in General Mathematics and a course in Com- mercial Art have been very helpful. There is considerable


103


agitation in educational circles for an increased curriculum in the study of the Social Sciences in all fields; that is, State, national and international, with the hope that a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of citizenship would improve both national and international feeling. It is evident that more time allotment, better text- book facilities, and improved methods of instruction are in store for the Social Sciences.


When the depression had removed Art, Physical Train- ing, Music, Domestic Science and Manual Training from many schools, it was found in communities so afflicted that such a change was a step backward. Many towns and cities have recently restored these programs, and in so doing have given clear evidence that the new era will not efface these subjects from the curriculum. Agawam has main- tained these courses and thereby has kept apace with the best educational thought.


HEALTH OF PUPILS AND TEACHERS


With the exception of a mild epidemic of chicken pox in Agawam Center our schools have been free from conta- gious diseases during the year 1934. Our teachers, too, have been very healthy. They have the privilege of five days of absence per year because of sickness, with full pay. The average number of days of absence for each teacher was .93 days. This is less than one day per teacher. The report of the school nurse and the school doctor will give a survey of health conditions for the past year.


SPIRIT OF PUPILS AND TEACHERS


Everyone is living somewhat under pressure during these days. The results of unsettled social and economic condi- tions are reflected in the faces, conduct, and spirit of all. The morale of our teachers and pupils in the face of such circumstances has been remarkably good. We have been free from dissensions. Petitions and strikes have not been our portion, as has been the case in many communities.


109


HIGH SCHOOL PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION


The High School Parent-Teacher Association is a small but an enthusiastic organization. Meetings are held four times per year, namely, in the fall, in winter, in spring and in summer. The program for the present year is centered about Character Education. The topic in full is: Develop- ing the Character of High School Pupils through the fol- lowing Media; Methods of Teaching, Extra-Curricula Ac- tivities, School Administration, and the Teacher. In these times of unrest and change there should be a close rela- tionship between parents and teachers. It is hoped that parents in greater numbers will join this association.


CONCLUSION


The new era is not established to the degree that any consequential changes in school administration have been made. A slight decrease in enrollments in the elementary schools is offset by an upward surge in high school enroll- ments. New courses of instruction in the social studies are making their way into the high school curricula. There has been a marked improvement in the health of both pupils and teachers. Our schools have functioned under the benefi- cent spirit of co-operation on the part of parents, pupils and teachers. Such a situation is indicative of the wise policies and sound administration of the School Committee.


Respectfully submitted,


BENJAMIN J. PHELPS,


Superintendent of Schools


110


REPORT ON MEDICAL INSPECTION


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


Tonsils and Adenoids 497


Defective Teeth 625


Slight Goiter 7


Orthopedic Cases


7


Glands


62


Poor Nutrition


20


Cardiac Cases


14


No. of Children Vaccinated 90


No. of Pupils found to be Physically Fit 275


Report of the School Nurse


No. of Schools Visited 6


No. of Visits to Schools 608


No. of Visits to Homes 325


No. of First Aid Treatments in Schools 978


No. of Inspections for Pediculosis, etc.


588


No. of Pupils taken to Physicians and Oculists


81


No. of Pupils taken to hospital for Tonsil and Adenoid Operations 37


No. of Cases of Scarlet Fever


2


No. of Cases of Chicken Pox


71


No. of Cases of Whooping Cough


11


No. of Cases of Scabies


14


No. of Cases of Ringworm


19


No. of Cases of Pediculosis


26


Shoes, rubbers, dental work, eye examinations and repair of glasses, one tonsil operation, and school lunches were furnished by the Teachers' Fund.


111


Pupils in five schools were weighed four times and meas- ured twice during the school year. Twelve children were taken to Camp Frederick Edwards. .




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