USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1932 > Part 7
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Brookline
$150.10
Melrose
97.43
Newton
126.03
Medford
89.63
ARLINGTON
112.44
Weymouth 89.61
Norwood 111.81
Watertown
88.66
Winchester
103.81
Somerville
88.45
Belmont
101.53
Framingham
84.83
Waltham
98.40
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The average for the group is $103.29-$9.15 less than the cost for Arlington.
The committee is unanimous in its belief that re- ductions can be made in the cost of operating the school system without impairing the efficiency of the school department or decreasing the scope of the curriculum. Much time has been spent and many figures tabulated in the course of our studies and the discussion of the sev- eral expense classifications which appear in the forego- ing pages quote only such figures as we have deemed to be most significant in indicating comparisons with other school systems and trends within our own school system.
On these figures we base our conclusions that sav- ings may be made and we have endeavored to point out certain outstanding factors in the cost of school opera- tion, in the hope and belief that those responsible for the conduct of the schools and more conversant than is your committee with school affairs, will give them such consideration as they may deserve and may find therein something of a constructive nature.
We are of the opinion that, generally speaking, the pupil capacity of our school buildings is such as to lend itself to a high degree of efficiency in operation and quote Prof. L. Leland Dudley of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, an authority on school costs, who in his "Location of School Plants" says "Studies which have been made of the relationship existing between total cur- rent school costs and size of elementary schools show, in general that the greatest economy is not effected in schools enrolling fewer than five hundred pupils."
It would seem that in planning increased school ac- commodation in the future, consideration should be
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TOWN RECORDS
given to the building of additions to those of our present buildings as are adapted to enlargement, such as the Hardy and the Parmenter, before the erection of new units, even though some pupils might be required to walk a little longer distance. This would lead to a de- creased expense of operation.
We of course recognize that generalities and com- parisons cannot be taken too literally as a guide in the foregoing conclusions. The elements of the number of school buildings, geographical distribution of pupils, the number in the different grades and various peculiar conditions in our own or other communities effect costs under one or more items but we believe in general the foregoing is a fair general statement showing oppor- tunities for a reduction of expense in Arlington.
We acknowledge our indebtedness to the School Committee, to the Superintendent and his assistants, the Town Accountant, the Department of Education at the State House and school authorities in the communities studied, for their co-operation and assistance in our work. They have given us access to the figures and in- formation in their offices and have been ready to help in any way that they could.
CHARLES A. ALDEN ERNEST W. DAVIS ARTHUR O. YEAMES
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
PROGRESS REPORT COMMITTEE FOR INVESTIGATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE TOWN OF ARLINGTON
To the Town of Arlington:
At the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1930, the following vote was recommended by the Finance Com- mittee and passed by the Town Meeting Members :
Voted: That a committee of three (3) be appointed by the Board of Selectmen to carefully investigate the school system of Arlington with particular reference to the maintenance and operation of school buildings and grounds, to ascertain wherein, if possible, reductions in costs of operation and maintenance may be made; said committee to report to the Town not later than the Annual Meeting in 1931 and any vacancy therein to be filled by said Board; and further that the sum of $500.00 be and hereby is appropriated for the use of the com- mittee, said sum to be raised by general tax.
Wilson D. Clark, Jr., Charles A. Alden, and Ernest W. Davis were appointed by the Selectmen "to investi- gate the school system of Arlington" in accordance with the above vote. Owing to illness in his family, Mr. Clark was forced to resign before the committee actively took up its work. Arthur O. Yeames was appointed by the Selectmen to fill the vacancy in September, 1930.
Early in October, the committee met with the Select- men and the Chairman of the Finance Committee to discuss the scope of the investigation and possible bene- ficial results to the Town. Later a meeting was held with the Finance Committee of the School Committee, at which the extent of the investigation was again dis-
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TOWN RECORDS
cussed with particular reference to the maintenance of harmonious relations between the two committees.
Before considering the concrete problem of costs of the school system in Arlington, it was found necessary to obtain comparative data for other cities and towns in the neighborhood of Boston-cities and towns having either approximately the same school population or same standards of public school education. After considerable discussion, the following cities and towns were chosen:
BELMONT MELROSE WALTHAM
BROOKLINE
NEWTON
WATERTOWN
FRAMINGHAM
NORWOOD
WEYMOUTH
MEDFORD
SOMERVILLE WINCHESTER
From annual reports of the State Board of Edu- cation complete analyses have been made and the costs of the Public Schools in the above cities and towns and comparisons made with similar costs for Arlington. Items considered are as follows :
General Control.
Salaries of Principals, Teachers, Supervisors.
Text-books.
Janitors. Repairs and Maintenance. Libraries.
Health.
Other Expenses. Miscellaneous Expenses.
Transportation.
Tuition.
Total for Support.
These costs have been analyzed over a five-year period (1926 to 1930) and reduced to a cost per pupil basis.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The committee' has visited every school building in Arlington, noting the physical condition of the property, the overcrowding of some of the buildings, and the need of either additional accommodations or rearrangement of present accommodations. These inspections were all made while the schools were in session, giving the com- mittee an excellent opportunity to study the schools when in action.
A mass of data has been collected, and this progress report will show only comparisons between costs in Arlington and in the group of cities and towns selected. A later and final report may show how these costs can be reduced without impairing the standards of education set up by your School Committee.
The overall cost of operating our school system (based on cost per pupil) is exceeded by only two of the twelve communities chosen for comparison-Brookline and Newton. On the other hand, the increase in cost per pupil in these two cities over the five years has been only 17% and 19%, while in Arlington it has been 22%. The cost per pupil in Arlington is 10% above the average for the group in 1930.
Considering various items of the school budget, we find the following comparisons-all based on cost per pupil :
GENERAL CONTROL
Increase over five-year period
Arlington
76.9%
Average for the group. 12.5%
SALARIES-TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, SUPERVISORS Increase over five-year period
Arlington 22.2%
Average for the group.
16.1%
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TOWN RECORDS
TEXT-BOOK COSTS Increase over five-year period
Arlington
1.6% (decrease)
Average for the group 6.8%
Text-book cost per pupil over the five-
year period was 37.1% greater in Arlington than the average for the group.
JANITOR SERVICE
Increase over five-year period Arlington
17.5%
Average for the group. 13.7%
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
Increase over five-year period
Arlington 23.7%
Average for the group 5.45% (decrease)
HEALTH
Increase over five-year period
Arlington 25.4% (decrease)
Average for the group 9.34%
The above figures show a steady although not neces- sarily an alarming increase in the cost per pupil of the Arlington school system over a five-year period. More study will be necessary before definite conclusions can be drawn from the above figures or recommendations made.
The matter of teachers' salaries in Arlington is worthy of considerable study. A readjustment of the teaching staff together with an increase in the average number of pupils per teacher may be advisable in order to decrease the cost of instructional service. At the . present moment, the average number of pupils per teacher is more than 10% less than the average for the group. In view of changes in the personnel of your School Committee and in view of the presence of a new
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
superintendent during the coming year, it seems advis- able to leave any concrete discussion of this item of the budget for a final report.
In conclusion, the committee appreciates the full co- operation it has received from the School Committee, the superintendent's office, and the Town accountants. The committee has been particularly impressed with the phy- sical condition of the school property, especially the older buildings. We believe, that a word of praise is due the staff of janitors which is responsible for the clean- liness of the buildings.
The committee feels that it still has a tremendous amount of work ahead of it. It desires to make recom- mendations to the Town based upon facts and not rumors.
The committee would welcome suggestions from citizens who are interested in this investigation.
CHARLES A. ALDEN ERNEST W. DAVIS ARTHUR O. YEAMES
On motion of Arthur O. Yeames it was
Voted (unanimously) : That the foregoing report be accepted and the committee discharged.
William A. Muller submitted the following report of the Committee to make repairs and additions to the Robbins Library Building.
To Town Meeting Members:
At the Adjourned Town Meeting, April 10, 1929, under Article 53 of the Warrant calling the Annual Town Meeting of 1929, it was
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TOWN RECORDS
Voted : That a Committee of five, including one member of the Board of Trustees of the Robbins Library and the Building Inspector, be appointed by the Modera- tor to procure plans and estimates for repairs and addi- tions to the Robbins Library Building or make other recommendations, such committee to have the power to fill vacancies, and to report to the Town not later than the annual meeting of 1930; that the sum of $500 be and hereby is appropriated for the use of the Committee; said sum to be raised by general tax.
On June 20, 1929, the following were appointed by the Moderator to serve on this committee:
William A. Muller, Chairman William Gratto Edith M. Fox Henry C. Guernsey Angus P. MacDonald
This committee has already reported to the Town Meeting Members, completed its work, and at the Ad- journed Town Meeting held April 2, 1930 under Article 47 of the Warrant calling the Annual Town Meeting of March 26, 1930, it was
Voted: That the sum of ninety thousand (90,000) dollars be and hereby is appropriated for repairs and/or additions without auditorium to the Robbins Library building including the cost of original equipment and furnishings, said appropriation to be raised by general tax and to be expended under the direction of the com- mittee appointed under vote of the Town passed April 10, 1929 to procure plans and estimates for repairs and additions to the Robbins Library Building.
The work for which this committee was appointed having been completed, we now report that the $90,500 above appropriated was expended as follows:
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Joseph S. Greenwood, General Contract. $59,593.90
Richard H. Mulcahy Co., Heating Contract 6,392.25
John J. Vogel, Plumbing 4,574.75
Herbert W. Doten, Furniture 4,530.00
Sword Bros., Electrical Work.
2,821.35
Pettingell-Andrews Co., Fixtures
1,880.00
Gay & Proctor, Architects
5,130.00
Payments to others as per vouchers filed with the town accountant
5,565.77
Balance of appropriation 11.98
$90,500.00
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM A. MULLER
ANGUS P. McDONALD EDITH FOX
HENRY C. GUERNSEY
WILLIAM GRATTO
March 21, 1932.
On motion of William A. Muller it was
Voted (unanimously) : That the foregoing report be adopted and the Committee discharged.
J. Howard Hayes submitted the following report of the Committee on Library Accommodations at Arlington Heights:
In accordance with the vote of the Town at a Special Town Meeting May 26, 1930, a committee was appointed by the Moderator to investigate and study Library accommodations at Arlington Heights. This Committee consisted of Mrs. Walter J. Vaughn, Mr. J. Howard Hayes, with Mrs. Cyrus E. Dallin as chairman.
109
TOWN RECORDS
At the adjourned Town Meeting, April 8, 1931, a re- port of progress was presented by the chairman of the Committee. This report showed by a description of the present inadequate facilities and by various statistics that there is very great need for better Library accommo- dations at Arlington Heights.
At the Special Town Meeting, July 15, 1931, at the request of the committee appointed May 26, 1930, an article was inserted in the Town Warrant which received the unanimous vote of the Town. The vote was as follows :
That the membership of the committee appointed under the vote of the Town passed May 26, 1930, to in- vestigate and study the Public Library Accommodations at Arlington Heights be increased by adding thereto the Chairman of the Library Trustees and the Inspector of Buildings and that said Committee be authorized to pro- cure plans and estimates for altering, repairing or add- ing to the building on the land of the Town situated at the corner of Park Avenue and Paul Revere Road, and/or for constructing a new building on said land; that the sum of three hundred (300) dollars be and hereby is appropriated for the use of said Committee, said sum to be raised by general tax.
Since the passing of this vote, the enlarged com- mittee has secured the services of the architects, Gay and Proctor, who have submitted plans and estimates which have been approved by the committee. These plans provide for a very attractive building on the corner of Park Avenue and Paul Revere Road. The need for such a building as the architects have designed in a most satisfactory way to meet the requirement of the section, is greater now than ever before. Notwithstanding this fact, owing to present financial conditions, the committee
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
presents a report of progress, with the confident hope that the Town will appropriate, as soon as possible, the necessary funds for the erection of the proposed Branch Library Building at Arlington Heights.
(Signed) VITTORIA C. DALLIN, Chairman J. HOWARD HAYES SARAH R. VAUGHN WILLIAM A. MULLER WILLIAM GRATTO
On motion of Ernest W. Davis:
Voted (unanimously) : That the report be received and the Committee authorized to make a further report in 1933.
The following report of the Committee to secure Plans and Estimates for a School on Pheasant Avenue was offered by Edward L. Shinn.
At the adjourned Town Meeting April 2, 1930, under Article 35 (Committee Plans for Elementary School, Pheasant Avenue) it was
Voted : That a committee of five including the Building Inspector, be appointed by the Moderator to secure plans and estimates for the construction of an elementary school building capable of enlargement on land owned by the Town on Pheasant Avenue, said com- mittee to have the power to fill vacancies and to report. to the Town not later than the annual meeting of 1932 and further that the sum of $500.00 be appropriated for the use of said committee, said sum to be raised by gen- eral tax.
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TOWN RECORDS
Pursuant to this vote, Moderator Curtis H. Water- man appointed the following committee:
Charles L. Shedd, 116 Jason Street
Joseph L. Duffy, 190 Pleasant Street
Edward L. Shinn, 74 Florence Avenue
Carl H. Bunker, 81 Hillside Avenue
William Gratto, 33 Russell Street
The Committee organized at a meeting held October 29, 1930, with Charles L. Shedd as Chairman, and Ed- ward L. Shinn as Secretary.
PRELIMINARY WORK
The detailed space requirements for the building were obtained from the School Committee and the School Accommodation Committee. These data indicated the need of a building containing six class rooms, two special rooms, separate basement playrooms for the boys and girls, a room for the Principal, a Nurse's room, a Teach- ers' room, a store room and the required toilet facilities.
The selection of an architect was given careful con- sideration. The best and most generally accepted method of making such a selection is to investigate the record and accomplishments of the various applicants and to base the selection upon the ability as demon- strated by the results of similar projects which these organizations have undertaken. The Committee gave consideration to seventeen architectural firms and finally chose the office of R. Clipston Sturgis, an organization which has had long and successful experience in school work. Their most recent buildings include several ex- cellent examples of efficient and economical school con- struction. The judgment of the Committee in this matter was further confirmed by the personal knowledge and experience of individual members of the Committee
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
and also by recommendations and advice of several lead- ing members of the architectural profession.
The Building Committee studied several preliminary sketches which were submitted by the architect. From these sketches were developed drawings which were shown to Mr. Stratton of the School Committee and to the Superintendent, Mr. Dempsey. These drawings were then further revised to meet minor suggestions and later submitted at a joint meeting of the School Committee and the Building Committee. At this meeting, the plans as now presented were approved unanimously.
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT, LOCATION AND GRADING
It is proposed to locate the building on the west- erly portion of the lot, fronting on Pheasant Avenue as shown on the lot plan. The position of possible addi- tional wings is indicated by dotted lines. The building is so planned that the boiler room and the coal pocket will be at the westerly corner of the building. The drive- way for delivery of coal consequently will be near the corner of the lot, and directly opposite Ronald Road, so located it will not interfere with the complete develop- ment of the land for playground purposes. The westerly portion of the lot was selected for the building not only for the convenience of access and administration, but because this portion of the lot was found, upon investiga- tion, to be free of ledges, which appear near the surfaces on the easterly sections of the land. This end of the lot is desirable also because the contour of the grades keeps the required excavations at a minimum. Adjacent to the building and extending as far to the east as desirable, the lot will be graded for playground purposes. It is the intention to arrange the contract in such a manner that all the finished grading work may be done by the Town rather than through the general contractor, and in this way contribute to the relief of the local unemployment problem.
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TOWN RECORDS
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
The building is rectangular in plan with a corridor through the centre, with entrances and staircases in each end of corridor. The building consists of two stories and basement. In the basement are located the boiler room, play rooms for boys and girls, toilets, and storage rooms. The basement rooms are well lighted with the floor only a little below the outside grade. The first and second stories are substantially the same in plan. There are six classrooms and two special rooms. The average class will probably number 35 pupils but a maximum seat- ing capacity of 42 pupils will be available in each class- room. This anticipation of a possible increase in pupil enrollment is considered an economical provision as it will undoubtedly defer the time when additional classrooms will be required. Provision has been made on the first floor for a room for the Principal and another for the Nurse, and on the second floor for a supply room and a Teachers' room. On both floors are toilets for both boys and girls. The building is planned so that more rooms may be added in an orderly manner, doubling the present eight room building, if desired.
The design for the heating plant includes two cast iron sectional boilers, with grates for burning coal. One boiler would be sufficient for spring and fall, and in ex- treme weather both would be used. The boiler room and boiler plant were laid out to provide space so that the capacity of the boilers could be increased to take the additional heating load of additional rooms when it be- came necessary to build them. Oil burners can be sub- stituted for the coal grates without otherwise changing the system, if the Town should prefer oil to coal.
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN
The building is designed as a fireproof structure. The exterior walls will be brick with limestone trim-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
mings. The floor construction will be reinforced concrete (grid system) finished with linoleum, except in the ves- tibules and toilet rooms where the floor surfaces will be terrazzo. The toilet room partitions will be the Nashobee Gray Vermont Marble which is an excellent marble for this purpose and also economical. The roof structure will be of steel and Gypsum construction with the slate attached directly to this fireproof material. The interior finish around doors, windows, base boards, etc., will be of metal. The staircases will be of steel enclosed with smoke screens of Kalamein construction. All the details of blackboards, wardrobes, teachers' closets, and book- cases will be in accordance with the latest accepted types of school construction. These features are indicated on the plans. A building constructed of these materials and according to this method will be much more economical to maintain than would one built similar to those of a few years ago in which the finish and floors were of wood and other details of less durable materials. Further- more, the initial cost of this construction will be only slightly, if any, in excess of the second class type. This building being strictly fireproof in construction will be an absolutely safe investment for the Town's money. The only combustible materials in the building will be the furniture and the classroom and wardrobe doors. The insurance rate, furthermore, will be much less than for any other type of construction.
This school will be located in a residential district and the Committee recognized the desirability of design- ing a structure which will enhance rather than depreciate real estate values in the neighborhood.
The construction work and the materials used will be economical in character but of such permanent qual- ity as to reduce to minimum the cost of maintenance and upkeep.
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TOWN RECORDS
In general design, the structure will be in the Colonial style, using New England waterstruck brick combined with limestone. The woodwork of the sash and window frames will be painted to match the color of the limestone. The plain slate roof will be surmounted by a cupola which will serve as the ventilating stack for the building.
ESTIMATE OF COST
A careful estimate of the cost has been made. For the complete project an appropriation of $120,000 will be required. This amount includes in addition to the cost of the building construction, a provision for furniture, equipment, grading, and the architect's fee.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) CHARLES L. SHEDD JOSEPH L. DUFFY WILLIAM GRATTO CARL H. BUNKER EDWARD L. SHINN
On motion of Ernest W. Davis:
Voted (unanimously) : That the report be accepted as a report of progress and that the Committee be author- ized to make a further study and report in 1933.
The following final report of the Board of Selectmen on the High School Building was offered by William O. Hauser.
At the Annual Town Meeting, held March 25, 1931 your Committee submitted an exhaustive report of the
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
doings of the Committee, as a report of progress, setting forth the various steps taken and the reasons therefor, in securing the construction of a high school building, which would meet the needs of the school department and would also from an architectural and artistic stand- point be in keeping with the high standard of all our public buildings.
On December 9, 1931 the building having been com- pleted, was turned over to the School Committee by the Selectmen with simple exercises at an informal gather- ing held in the auditorium.
This unit contains nine (9) classrooms and two (2) study halls making a total of eleven (11) rooms, which have been furnished and are now in use, also an audi- torium, which is usable, "although not finished" and has a seating capacity of eleven hundred (1,100). This hall is the largest in the Town and is available for use by the school as a gymnasium, for assemblies, and other school purposes and also for general use by the public. It was first used by the Police Department for its Annual Ball. Below the auditorium is a large lunch room capable of meeting the requirements of the entire school when the building program is completed in its entirety.
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