USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1913 > Part 7
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Article 5 taken up. (Edwin S. Farmer bequest of $5000 for needy persons.)
Voted: That the Town accept the bequest of the late Edwin S. Farmer of the sum of $5000, as provided in his will, and hereby establish a fund to be know as "Edwin S. Farmer Relief
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TOWN RECORDS
Fund," said fund to be administered by the Trustees of the Pratt Fund until the election of Trustees at the next annual meeting, the income therefrom to be paid over by the said Trustees to the Overseers of the Poor, and to be expended under their direction for the relief and assistance of needy and worthy persons living within the present limits of the Town of Arlington.
On motion of Frank V. Noyes of the Board of Selectmen the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Resolved: That the Town spread upon its records its ap- preciation of the generous gift of the late Edwin S. Farmer of ten thousand (10,000) dollars for the care of poor widows and needy persons of the Town. Mr. Farmer had, during his life, served the Town for many years as a member of the Board of Selectmen. While serving in an official capacity and since his retirement the widows and needy people of our Town received his generous attention. His kindness and benevo- lence should be an incentive to us all, to aid those less fortunate than ourselves in this world's goods, and be an inspiration to all in dispensing that noblest of all virtues, charity.
Be it further resolved: That the Town Clerk be directed to forward to Mrs. Edwin S. Farmer a copy of this expression of appreciation by the Town.
Article 6 taken up. (To authorize Selectmen to establish Town Hall Fund.)
The Committee of Twenty-one recommended that all revenue received from rental of the Town Hall be turned into the Treasury, to be used for the general maintenance and upkeep of the building, under the direction of the Selectmen. As this was not the desire or intention of the Board, the matter was referred back to the Committee of Twenty-one to report on at the March meeting of 1914.
Article 7 taken up. (Fund for maintenance and upkeep of scenery and piano.)
The Committee of Twenty-one reported on this article in a similar manner as on Article 6 and it was
Voted: That the subject matter of this article be referred back to the Committee of Twenty-one to report on at the March meeting of 1914.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Article 8 taken up. (Method of electing Selectmen and Board of Public Works.)
The Committee of Twenty-one recommended that beginning with the year 1914, the Selectmen and Board of Public Works be elected for one the term of one year, one for the term of two years, and one for the term of three years, and thereafter, one for the term of three years.
James P. Donnelly made a substitute motion that the question as to the election of the Selectmen and Board of Public Works be submitted to the voters at the annual Town meeting of March, 1914, by placing on the ballot the question, "Shall the Town vote to accept the provisions of the Revised Laws enabling the Town to elect its Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works, one for the term of one year, one for. the term of two years, and one for the term of three years."
On the question being placed before the meeting the sub- stitute motion was declared carried and the Town Clerk was instructed to place the question as voted on the official ballot for the Town meeting of March 2, 1914.
Article 9 taken up. (Publication of assessed values by the Assessors.)
The Committee of Twenty-one recommended that no action be taken at this time.
On motion of Arthur Perkins the following substitute motion was passed:
Voted: That this meeting request the Committee of Twenty- one to further investigate and report at the next annual Town meeting the cost and advisability of the publication of the items as enumerated in the article, and to have inserted in said Warrant for the annual meeting an article covering this subject.
Article 10 taken up. (Percentage of tax paid State, County, etc.)
No action was taken under this article, as the assessors had informed the Committee that it was their intention to include this in their next annual report.
Article 11 taken up. (Selectmen to allow use of office in old building to School Committee.)
As the necessity of the action asked for in the article did
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not now exist, the Committee recommended and it was so Voted: That no action be taken under this article.
Article 12 taken up. (Authority of Selectmen to sell furni- ture in old Town Hall.)
Voted: That the Board of Selectmen be authorized, in the name and behalf of the Town, to dispose of furniture now in the offices of the old Town Hall building and which is not required by the Town.
The number of voters attending the meeting as determined by the Constables in charge of the turnstiles was 457.
All business calling the meeting having been acted upon, it was
Voted: That this meeting be now dissolved.
Meeting dissolved at 10.45 o'clock.
A true record. Attest:
THOMAS J. ROBINSON, Town Clerk.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1913.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Arlington.
The purpose of the report of a School Committee is to bring to the attention of the citizens of the community the more important factors and conditions involved in the admin- istration of its school system, and perhaps offer certain sug- gestions and recommendations in relation thereto.
Such being the office of the report, it may seem to some that so far as our municipality is concerned, the wide, varied and persistent discussion during the past year, attendant upon the location of a High School site, has so clearly brought home to our citizens the status of our schools in general that the necessity for any report at all is scarcely apparent. Whether such necessity exists or not is, however, hardly the question, for it may be stated that a law of the Common- wealth requires the School Committee of each city and town annually to report to the inhabitants thereof the condition of its public schools; and as to the discussion referred to, if it shall be fruitful of no other immediate result than to cause to exist in the minds of citizens a deeper, more general and more enlightened interest in our schools, the time consumed will not have been spent in vain.
The object of the present report is particularly to bring to your consideration a few of the material problems now before your Committee, such as the housing problem, relief from over- crowding, the necessity for increases in expenditures, etc .; while those interested in the exposition of present day theories of education and the aims, purposes and accomplishments of our own schools academically are referred to the report of the Superintendent, which appears elsewhere, and in which these subjects are ably and interestingly set forth.
SCHOOL GROWTH AND PRESENT . ACCOMMODATIONS.
The growth of the schools during the past year has been larger than during any year in the history of the Town, there
90
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
being nearly two hundred more pupils attending school in December, 1913, than in the corresponding month of the pre- vious year. This growth is divided as follows:
1913
1914
Increase
High,
465
502
37
Cutter,
307
333
26
Crosby,
481
570
89
Locke,
547
594
47
Russell
463
449
-14
Parmenter,
147
155
8
2410
2603
193
Concerning the accommodations in the High School little need be said here. It is, perhaps, sufficient to state that of the present freshman class, numbering one hundred and sixty- seven, nearly fifty per cent are obliged, from lack of room, to be housed in the Locke and Crosby school buildings.
A glance at the above figures disclose that the largest increase is in the Crosby School, where, beside the thirty-two high school freshmen included in the section in that district, there are eighty-nine in the grades. This has necessitated an ad- ditional teacher for the first year high school class and one for the grades, as well as an additional assistant, who will become a teacher of a regular class in September, she now having in her room thirty-one pupils of the third and fourth grades. At present there is but one unoccupied room in this building, while one other is used by a small class. If the growth during the coming year is as great as during the last year it is not at all unlikely that every room in this building will be in use within a year unless the freshman class is provided for else- where.
In the Locke School the increase has called for one additional teacher. In order to make room for this class, it has, much to the regret of the School Committee, been necessary to request the Branch of the Public Library, which has for three years occupied one of the rooms designed as a classroom, to move to an unfinished room planned for a sanitary on the first floor of the section of the building connecting the two
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
wings. This has rendered impossible the maintenance of a reading room in connection with the library, the new room being too small for this purpose and used for the delivery of books only. At the present time the school contains sixteen regular classes, and, in addition, because of the fact that the seventh grade has over sixty pupils, a section of that grade, consisting of twenty pupils, is occupying the room designed for a school library.
In the Cutter School, owing to the fact that the first grade enrolled fifty-four and the third grade fifty-six pupils, it was necessary to make a small class of twenty-two children, which is using the library room of that building as a classroom. These library rooms are not well fitted for classrooms because . of the size and the lack of ventilation.
As to the Russell and Parmenter Schools, it will be seen that they have sustained no material change in membership, and none is anticipated in the immediate future, although both buildings have every room occupied.
PRESENT ACCOMMODATIONS INADEQUATE FOR 1914.
From a careful perusal of the above, it must be apparent to every one that the limit of school expansion in our present buildings has at last been reached, and an outlet must be provided somehow. The condition at the High School compels action. The expedient of distributing freshmen among the other schools has been pushed to the extreme. The graduation of the present senior class will scarcely make room for the freshmen now attending the Locke and Crosby Schools. The impossibility of housing in the present building that part of the incoming freshman class provided from the Russell School, as has heretofore been done, is inevitable; and even if a place can be found for one of the two sections coming from that district, the situation will, nevertheless, leave the other section in a state of exile.
It is further apparent that the growth in the grades calls for additional grade school accommodations in the Locke and Cutter districts. An increase in our High School accommoda- tions by September, 1914, enabling us to remove the ninth grades and freshman class, the former into the present High
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
School building, and the latter into a new High School building, thereby relieving the Locke School to the extent of four rooms, which could, in a measure, be shared by the overflow from the Cutter School, has been hoped for. Recent developments, however, have forced the belief that no matter how speedy the action of the Town, it will be impossible under any circumstances for a new High School building to be erected in season to be available next fall. The question therefore presents itself: How can we best provide the necessary accommodations so as to relieve all sections for a temporary period without indulging in expensive and wasteful subterfuges, or resorting to that miserable make-shift, double sessions, condemned by all educa- tors and to be characterized in no other way than as economy at the expense of education?
CUTTER SCHOOL ENLARGEMENT.
Your Committee believes there is but one solution of the problem that ought to be considered. The original plans of the Cutter School provide for an addition to the present building, duplicating the eight rooms now in use. The con- necting wing already exists, and it is probable that such an addition could be built for from $35,000 to $40,000. This duplication will be required in a few years in any event, and may as well be undertaken now. With such an addition the freshman class, now scattered, could be concentrated in this building for one or two years, which would enable us to dis- pense with the services of one less High School teacher than will be required next year under existing conditions, besides giving the pupils the benefit of more expert teaching, since the teachers, while having more recitations, would have fewer subjects to teach. The relief in terms of rooms thus furnished would consist of two rooms in the Locke School, three rooms, besides those used for freshmen, in the Cutter School, and one room in the Crosby. Unless this provision is made, it will be necessary, in order to provide for at least one section of the incoming freshman class from the Russell School, to construct, as an extreme measure, a class-room on the third floor of the present High School building by cutting into
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
the roof and otherwise, at a cost probably not under two thousand dollars.
SCHOOL EXPENDITURES.
Owning to the fact that both the tax rate and, to a certain extent, the valuations, have been advanced during the past year, the School Committee has hesitated to put into the budget a request for funds to provide Domestic Science instruc- tion, a school nurse, an "opportunity class " for backward children, and other things which would add to the efficiency of our school system and bring us up in these respects with most of our neighbors in the metropolitan district. The growth of our schools, the advances in salaries necessary to keep our efficient teachers and provide new teachers of equal excellence, the increasing cost of books and supplies of all kinds due to the general increase in cost of production, makes it necessary to ask for an appropriation this year considerably in excess of last year's requirements. The following tabulation shows the amount spent in 1913 and the estimated expenditure for 1914:
Salaries,
Spent in 1913 $70,123 21
Estimated 1914 $75,000
Fuel and other expenses, includ-
ing tuition,
14,419 06
15,000
Total school account,
$84,542 27
$90,000
The increase in salaries is accounted for by the addition of five teachers in September, whose salaries were paid for only four months of last year, and for whom we must provide pay- ment for ten months this year, and by providing in our estimate for three additional teachers from September next to January, 1915, and by the further provision for the guaranteed increases of those teachers employed during the first two or three years at salaries less than the maximum. New pupils must also be provided with the necessary books and supplies, and worn out books and material must be replaced. The above constitute the principal elements of expense attendant upon our school administration, but in addition to those enumerated the con- stant growth and expansion of our school system calls for
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
sundry other increased expenses, which it is hardly necessary to take the space to mention.
RELATION OF TAX RATE TO COST OF SCHOOLS.
To those who may think that the high tax rate is due to abnormal appropriation for school maintenance, the following facts and figures prepared largely from the annual report of the State Board of Education by Mr. Henry S. Adams, of the Board of Public Works, should be particularly illuminating and a decisive answer to that query:
Arlington stands, in comparison with 34 towns and cities around Boston, as follows:
Nineteenth in population in 1910, being 11,187. .
Twenty-first in valuation April 1, 1911, being $13,110,483.
Seventeenth in value per inhabitants, being $1070, the average for the Metropolitan District being $1460 and for the State being $1160.
Eighteenth in registered school pupils, the number in 1912 being 2463.
Sixteenth in school attendance, the average attendance being in 1912, 20.96.
Fifteenth in number of High School pupils, the number being in 1912, 426.
Tenth in ratio of High School pupils to total school pupils, the ratio being in 1912, 17.2.
Twentieth in appropriation per pupil, the amount being . $35.42, the average for the 33 cities in the State being $40.50 for the 71 towns, with a population of over 5000 being $33.90; the average for the entire state being $36.19.
Twenty-third in cost per pupil for High School, the amount being $50.40, the average for the 33 cities in the State being $59.70 and for the 71 towns with a population of over 5000 being $51.20.
Tenth in amount appropriated for schools per $1000 of valuation, the amount being $6; the average of the 33 cities in the State being $4.18, of the 71 towns with a population of over 5000 being $4.85, and of the entire State being $4.71.
Third in tax rate in 1913, which is $22.60, and is only
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
excelled by Stoneham, $24.80, and Quincy, $23.70, although Revere is close, being $22.40.
The above facts disclose that no extravagance has been practiced in dealing with school expenditures, and that the cost of the schools has simply kept pace with their abundant growth.
A WORD IN GENERAL.
A reasonable consideration of the character of our schools and the work accomplished during the past year ought not to be conducive of pessimism. Notwithstanding some embar- rassments, teachers and pupils have, as a whole, labored with a spirit of harmony and zealousness which augurs well for the future prosperity of the system. The standard both of conduct and accomplishment has been fully maintained, while the careful extension of the curriculum has afforded further opportunities for work and training which the pupils have been quick to recognize and to take advantage of. It is worthy of note, also, that owing to the advent of the new Town Hall the ninth grades from the several schools were for the first time for many years able to assemble under one roof and hold their graduating exercises in a body. The event was both pleasing and interesting, and the ability to thus hold these exercises in the future cannot fail to have a beneficial effect upon the minds of the younger pupils.
Finally, it may be said that Arlington has reason to be proud of its schools and the ideals for which they stand. Its systems may not be perfect, and your Committee is con- scious of some defects; but when we consider the spirit of earnestness and intelligent helpfulness which pervades our whole school administration from the superintendent to the teacher of lowest wage, we are convinced that so long as that spirit continues the citizens will have no occasion to be ashamed of the quality of the schools or the Committee of its steward- ship.
Respectfully submitted,
ALTON F. TUPPER, Chairman.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Arlington:
The school reports of the last eight years cover a large number of pages, and it is hoped that, in some measure, they have justified the labor involved in their preparation. As one turns his thoughts towards the preparation of another report, he asks himself, "What are the aims to be considered?" The term "report" indicates that the writer is called upon to give an accounting to the School Committee, and through them to the community, which shall contain such facts and outline such policies as may be of immediate and possibly of future importance. The only history of the schools of Arlington during the last quarter of a century is to be found in the reports of the School Committee and, of late years, of its executive officer. This function of the reports is by no means unimportant. Through the exchange of school reports is gained a knowledge of educational experiments and experiences. It is quite unnecessary and exceedingly wasteful for any town or city to disregard the experiences of some other town or city and insist on learning from its own experience what the outcome may be of some policy which has been tried and discredited in other communities. Benjamin Franklin said, "Experience is a dear school, but men will learn in no other, and fools scarcely in that." A school report should so inform the community of matters regarding which it may be called upon to render a decision, that it may act wisely. By its frankness it should attempt to foster that vital interest in the welfare of the schools upon which their present well-being and their progressive development largely depend. Perhaps the most that can be reasonably hoped for is to do something to keep prominently in the foreground of popular consciousness a constant recognition of the indispensable conditions necessary for the existence of good schools.
WHAT THE SCHOOLS OF ARLINGTON ARE TRYING TO DO.
For almost the first time in the history of the world the people of America are working out the great experiment of educating themselves. It is imperatively important that the people who support the schools should properly understand
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
them. Criticism and inquiry into the methods and curriculum of our schools are indicative of a healthy condition. It is well for all to understand the limitations of the schools. The over faith in the efficacy of schools of the last generation has had many severe jolts. Such criticisms as I spoke of in my last year's report, unfair and incorrect as they were, have proven valuable in that they directed the attention of think- ing people towards a careful consideration of the facts and created a demand that such faults as do exist (and in all humility educators acknowledge there are faults) be corrected.
It being the business of the school to make good citizens, cultured men and women, it must be borne in mind that other agencies than the school are required to produce the finished product. The home, the church, the street, the playground, and the library must each contribute its part. Education is not merely a matter for the school; it requires intelligent co- operation of all the forces to accomplish the desired result. Parents in particular must co-operate with the school, not only in sympathy, but through an acquaintance with the controlling and progressive tendencies of education.
To summarize in a single sentence the aim of our schools, I shall paraphrase a statement made by Superintendent Spauld- ing of Newton: The schools of Arlington are trying to educate all the boys and girls of the town from five to about eighteen years of age; the schools are trying to educate every one of the children and youth with individual discrimination, that is, in a way to develop the natural capacity of each one so that each one will be able and disposed to render the largest possible service to society throughout his life beyond the school.
While the compulsory school age for the State includes the years between seven and fourteen, most people in this town wish to send children to school at five years of age, and practically every child of six is in school. While these children of five and six are welcome and expected to attend the grade schools, they cannot be compelled to attend under seven years. It is one of the aims of the schools to so interest children between seven and fourteen years, that children and parents will think it worth while to attend school, regardless of the
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
law. While a child fourteen years of age or over is not com- pelled by law to attend school if he has completed the fourth grade of school work in language and has some regular employ- ment, we are so firmly convinced of the importance from an educational standpoint, of the value of the period from fourteen to eighteen or nineteen, that we try earnestly to hold boys and girls in school during that period. By careful study of the individual needs, abilities, and prospects, we are trying to do the most possible for each pupil within the limits of our equipment. Previous to the last eight or ten years the policy of school systems might be briefly summarized as follows: Here is a curriculum in our judgment best suited to the educa- tion of boys and girls, here is our organization, and here are certain conditions imposed uniformly upon all children who become pupils in our schools. These conditions we believe to be wise and we mean to maintain them; pupils are welcome to remain as long as they conform to them. We will do the best we can to educate efficiently the pupils who come to us so long as they fit our organization, and here our responsibility ends. If children leave school, we are sorry, for some day they will realize their mistake. Now in all progressive school systems, the attitude is entirely changed. We say: Here are the children of our community that we have to educate. These children differ not only in age and sex, but in natural capacities, possibilities, and inclinations; it is our duty to study the needs, possibilities, and inclinations of these children individually. In the light of the knowledge so gained, we must adapt our curriculum, our organization, and our conditions so as to contribute most efficiently to these needs and pos- sibilities; we must constantly adapt our means and methods of education to meet the changing needs of successive groups of children. If children leave school, we no longer say that we are sorry that they could not be wise enough to take advantage of the rich educational opportunities freely offered, but we ask ourselves, "What is the matter with our school?"
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