USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1920 > Part 5
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Dated January 7, 1921.
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Warrant for Annual Town Meeting February 8th, 1921
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Norfolk, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Franklin, in the County of Norfolk,
Greeting :
You are hereby required in the name of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts to notify and warn the qualified voters of said Town of Franklin to assemble in their Town Hall, on Tuesday, the Eighth day of February, A. D. 1921, it being the second Tuesday in said February, at six o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz :-
Article 1. To choose by ballot the following Town Officers, viz : A Moderator, three Selectmen, a Town Clerk, a Town Treasurer, an Auditor, three Overseers of the Poor, a Collector of Taxes, a Tree Warden, three Constables, all for the term of one year ; one Assessor of Taxes for a term of three years, one member of the Board of Health for a term of three years, one member of the School Committee for a term of three years, and one member of the Water and Sewer Commissioners for a term of three years to be voted for upon one ballot. Also upon the same ballot to vote upon the question : Shall license be granted for the sale of certain . non-intoxicating beverages in this Town?
Article 2. To choose all other necessary Town Offi- cers for the year ensuing.
Article 3. To hear a report of the Town Officers and Committees and act thereon.
Article 4. To see what action the Town will take rel- ative to a pound.
Article 5. To see what sums of money the Town will appropriate and raise for the following purposes, to wit :
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1. For General Government, including the compensa- tion and expenses of the Selectmen, Auditor, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes. Assessors of Taxes, Town Clerk ; also for Elections and Registrations, Town Hall, Law Depart- ment and other Finance Accounts.
2. ' For Protection of Persons and Property, including Payment of Police and suppression of Illegal Liquor Traffic, Support of Fire Department, Sealing of Weights and Meas- ures, Extermination of Elm Beetles and Gypsy Moths, Trimming of Shade Trees, and Forest Fires
3. For Health and Sanitation, including expenses of the Board of Health, inspection of School Children, inspec- tion of Animals, inspection of Meats and Provisions, con- struction and maintenance of Sewers and Sewer Beds.
4. For Highway and Bridges, including construction and repairs of Roads, Bridges and Sidewalks, Street Light- ing, construction of Sidewalks and Curbing, Street Sprink- ling and all other highway expenses.
5. For Public Charities, including compensation and expenses of the Overseers of the Poor, expenses of the Almshouse, for aid to Outside Poor.
6. For Soldiers' Benefits, including State Aid, Sol- diers' Relief and. Soldiers' Burials.
7. For Education, including all expenses of the School Department.
8. For the Franklin Public Library.
9. For the Improvement of the Commons.
10. For Unclassified Accounts, including the Decora- tion of Soldiers' Graves, Printing of Town Reports, and payments not otherwise provided for.
11. For Maintenance and Operation of Water De- partment, including the compensation of Water Commis- sioners.
12. For Payment of Interest on Town Debts.
13. For Payment of Municipal Indebtedness. 1
Article 6. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the current municipal year, beginning January 1st. 1921, in anticipation of the revenue for said year, such
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sums of money as may be' necessary to meet the current expenses of the Town, giving the note or notes in the name of the Town.
Article 7. To see if the Town will instruct the Select- men to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town the ensuing year.
Article 8. To hear a report on Guide Boards from the Selectmen, and act thereon.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the Dog License money received for the present year for the support of Schools or for the Public Library.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to use the interest of the Lucretia Pond Fund, not otherwise provided for, for the care of Town Cemeteries, to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to transfer to the Excess and Deficiency Account the unexpended balance of the overlays on account of the Tax Levy for the year 1919.
Article 12. To see what action the Town will take relative to joining with the Massachusetts Highway Com- mission and the Norfolk County Commissioners in the re- pair and improvement of Lincoln St .; appropriate and raise the sum of Four Thousand ($4,000) Dollars therefor, or do anything relating thereto.
Article 13. To see what action the Town will vote to take in relation to installing and maintaining mains on Cor- bin St., to connect with the Town's Water and Sewer Sys- tems ; appropriate and raise money therefor or do anything relating thereto.
Article 14. To see what action the Town will take in relation to appropriating and raising the sum of One Hund- red ($100) Dollars, same to be expended by the United Spanish War Veterans for Memorial Day Service.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to discharge the committee, known as the "Town Hall Committee" whose duty was the supervision of the remodeling of the Town Hall, same duties being now completed.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to purchase a stone crusher for the uses of the Road Department, appro-
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priate and raise money therefor or do anything relating thereto.
Article 17. To see what action, if any, the Town will take relative to the repair of the Ray Engine House; appro- priate and raise money therefor or do anything relating thereto.
Article 18. To see what action the Town will take on the report of the committee appointed under article 25 of the warrant of the annual meeting of 1920 and appropriate any money therefor.
Article 19. To see what action the Town will take relative to the installation and maintenance of a suitable number of street lights to safeguard foot traffic on that sec- tion of Washington street between the Clark Crossing and the Denton Crossing of the Providence Division, N. Y. N. H. & H. Ry. appropriate money therefor or do anything relating thereto.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to establish and maintain a street light at a point approximately 150 feet north of East Central St. on Alpine Place, appropriate and raise money therefor or do anything relating thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will construct, grade, or otherwise improve the sidewalk on the North-easterly side of East Central Street from the property of the Estate of Aaron H. Morse to Alpine Place, appropriate money therefor, or do anything relating thereto.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof seven days, at least, before the time of meeting, as directed by vote of the Town.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-eighth day of Jan- uary, A. D. 1921.
JACOB F. GEB, MARTIN W. DONAHUE, EDWARD S. COOK, Selectmen of Franklin.
-
Annual Report
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF
FRANKLIN, MASS.
FOR THE
Fiscal Year Ending December 31
1920
SENTINEL PRESS FRANKLIN 1921
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term expires Feb. 1923
Charles A. R. Ray, Unionville,
George W. Wiggins, 5 Crescent Street,
Feb. 1923
William C. Buchanaan, Alpine Street,
Feb. 1921
ORGANIZATION George W. Wiggin, Chairman William C. Buchanan, Secretary
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Arthur W. Hale, 143 Emmons Street. Office : High School Building.
Office Hours : Monday, 8:00 to 9:00 A. M., 4:00 to 5:00 P. M. during the school term.
Office open on school days : 8:00 to 12:00, 1:00 to 5:00.
Saturday : 8:00 to 12:00.
Telephone : Office 202M ; House, 317M.
Clerk : Clara Simmler.
REGULAR MEETING OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
First Wednesday of each month, Horace Mann Building, at 8:00 P. M.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Solon Abbott, M. D., 30 Dean Avenue.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER Russ W. Harding, 47 Summer Street.
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School Calendar, 1920-1921.
September 8, 1920, Opening of Schools.
October 12, Columbus Day (Holiday).
November 25-26, Thanksgiving Recess.
December 18 to January 3, 1921, Christmas Vacation.
February 22, Washington's Birthday.
March 26 to April 4, 1921, Spring Vacation. April 19, Patriot's Day (Holiday).
May 30, Memorial Day (Holiday).
June 17, Elementary Schools close.
June 23, High School Commencement.
June 24, High School closes.
September 7, 1921, Opening of Schools.
October 12, Columbus Day (Holiday).
November 24-27, Thanksgiving Recess.
December 17 to January 3, 1922, Christmas Vacation. Grades I-VIII.
December 23 to January 3, 1922, Christmas Vacation. High School.
No School Signals 2 blasts 4 times
7:30 Omit morning session in all schools.
8:15 Omit morning session in Grades I to VI inclusive.
12:30 Omit afternoon session in all schools.
12:45 Omit afternoon session in Grades I to VI inclusive.
5
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of Franklin :
In compliance with that part of their duty which re- quires them to make an annual report, the School Committee submit the following as that report.
The elaborate and carefully prepared report of our Su- perintendent of Schools accompanied with the reports of those at the head of the various departments of our school system, which are herewith submitted, shows conclusively that our schools are in a prosperous condition, and that they are fully maintaining their previous high standing amolig the schools of our commonwealth.
That they have been able to show these results notwith- standing the serious difficulties which they have had to en- counter during the unsettled and troublesome times through which the world has been passing ought to be, and doubtless is, a source of gratification to every fair minded and intelli- gent member of our community.
Such results are only attained by the faithful, earnest, and harmonious efforts of pupils, parents, teachers and su- perintendent.
With all these forces working in harmony, as they have been working in recent years, your committee have been able to devote their undivided efforts to other matters ‹le- manding their attention, chief among which have been the keeping of our teaching force recruited, and the keeping of our expenses within the appropriations made by the town, a task requiring their utmost endeavors, on account of the unsettled condition of the business world.
In keeping up our supply of teachers, we have had to encounter the unyielding law' of supply and demand; and this same law has played an important part in determining the salaries necessary to the keeping of our teaching force in a respectable and adequate condition.
From a recent published report of the Special Commis- sion on Teachers' Salaries appointed by the Governor of our
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Commonwealth we learn that in the year 1919, 1,772 teach- ers, or 9.2 per cent of the State's teaching force terminated their employment as teachers in our schools, and that 20 out of every 100 of that number, left to enter other employment than teaching; and that in the United States, that year, 143,- 000 out of about 600,000 teachers, or over 23 out of every 100, resigned on account of inadequate wages; and that 20,- 000 schools, involving 500,000 pupils, were closed for lack of teachers.
From the same report we learn that from 1910 to 1920, the cost of living increased 100 per cent, whereas during the same period in our State, the average salary of elementary school teachers increased only 85.1 per cent. and that of high school teachers only 50.7 per cent.
These facts plainly point to the present condition of school teaching in our country and in our state, and to the causes of that condition, and so far as we can see the' future promises little relief.
For the last five years the number of persons enrolled in our Normal schools has fallen from 2,598 in 1915 to 2,022 in 1920 or 28.2 per cent.
But from the same report there is one encouraging fact brought out, namely, that there has been, and still is, a steady improvement in the educational qualifications of our teaching force.
So far as our own municipality is concerned, our educa- tional condition shows no material exception to that of the state at large. To maintain our relative position in the educa- tional system of the State, an increased expenditure of mon. ey is necessary, and this increased expenditure is called for in every department of our school system.
We have therefore prepared and submit herewith a Bud- get of Estimates of the money needed for the ensuing year, feeling confident that the good sense of our fellow citizens will lead them to recognize the need of the increase which we call for and recommend.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE W. WIGGIN, CHARLES A. R. RAY, WILLIAM C. BUCHANAN, School Committee.
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School Department Budget Estimate for 1921
Estimate 1921
General Control,
Estimate 1920 $3,634.00
Expended 1920 $ 3,574.54
$ 4,240.00
Teachers' Salaries, Books and Supplies,
47,500.00
48,269.32
56,200.00
Wages of Janitors,
7,050.00
6,957.33
7,042.50
Fuel,
5,300.00
6,088.68
4,500.00
Misc. Operating,
1,200.00
1,606.99
1,775.00
Repairs,
4,360.00
3,326.03
3,000.00
Transportation,
5,000.00
4,657.50
5,280.00
Misc., Insurance, etc.,
1,200.00
1,639.12
1,200.00
Outlay,
300.00
237.57
Total,
$79,044.00
$79,859.67
$88,237 50
Receipts Estimated, 1,600.00
1,600.00
Appropriation 1920,
$77,444.00
Receipts 1920,
2,421.62
Total 1920,
$79,865.62
Expended 1920,
$79,859.67
Unexpended balance,
$
5.95
Appropriation recommended, 1921, $86,637.50
Estimated amount to be received by the Town from the General School
Fund, $8,500.00
How One Dollar Was Spent in 1920.
Miscellaneous
.021
General
Control
.045
Books and
.044
Supplies
Transportation
.059
Repairs
.043
Operating
.184
Teachers'
Salaries
.604
3,500.00
3,502.59
5,000.00
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TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL Report of the Superintendent of Schools
For the Year Ending December 31, 1920
To the School Committee and Citizens of Franklin:
I present herewith my third annual report as Superin- tendent of your schools. In my two previous reports I dealt mainly with the work of the schools. In this report I shall deal mainly with school enrollment, accommodations and finances.
Schools and Industry
The past year has witnessed a re-action from the great industrial activity created by the war. Mills that only a few months ago were running night and day in their effort to increase production are now idle or running at a slower pace. Prices that have been constantly mounting for the past de- cade are now decreasing and the business world is anxious- ly awaiting the time when they will become stabilized.
As is always the case in times of depression and the re- sulting social unrest, the work of the schools increases. Boys and girls who previously have been leaving schon', lured by high wages now find themselves unable to obtain work and return to school. Others who might have left school if work were easily obtainable now wisely remain in school. Thus there is a decided increase in enrollment in the Junior and Senior High Schools.
The uneasiness and anxiety which business depression is apt to create in the home is reflected to a considerable degree by the children in school. More thon ever they need the guid- ance of teachers who have a vision of the great opportuni- ties that are theirs for developing in the minds of their pupils high ideals of conduct and service, and who have the experience, personality, and ability to make the vision a re- ality.
The times need the stabilizing influence of confidence and good faith both in industry and education. Citizens,
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school officials, teachers and pupils should work together with sincerity of purpose to make our schools as effective as possible. The closest co-operation of all interested in the development of the greatest and most far reaching of all our social institutions-the public schools-is needed.
Enrollment
The enrollment during the past term has been the larg. est in the history of the town totaling 1373 or 36 more than the fall term last year. The average membership has been 1304 or 28 more than the previous year. The average attend- ance of pupils has been 95 percent of the membership which is a larger percent than it has been for any year since 1915.
It is very gratifying to school officials and teachers to have a high percent of attendance. From a business stand- point it is a distinct waste of the towns money to provide a warm room, desk, textbooks and supplies, a trained teacher, in fact all the facilities necessary for efficient school work and then to have the pupil absent and thereby failing to avail himself of his opportunity. Even 95 percent attendance means that five cents of every dollar of the school appropri- ation is spent without the town receiving adequate return from it in the increased intelligence of all the pupils for which it has made provision. For the past year that means nearly $4,000.
While we recognize that sickness makes a large part of the absence unavoidable still it is earnestly hoped that parents will co-operate with the schools in preventing all absences that are not absolutely essential and thereby les. sen the wastage of the town's money.
The largest gain in membership has been in the High school where the increase has been from 165 to 197 pupils. If this increase continues for a few more years it will not be long before the town will need to consider the construc .. tion of a new high school building and the use of the present, building for the grades.
New School Accommodations
In my first annual report I recommended the building of additional school rooms at the Theron Metcalf Building. During the past year the two additions, recommended by your school committee and for which money was generously appropriated by the town, have been completed.
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These additions have greatly relieved the crowded con- ditions that existed in the grades and have provided the Junior High School with a large, light and well equipped room for manual training and another for domestic science. Two of the four class rooms are occupied by fifth grade pu- pils, one of which was transferred from the Ray School in order to relieve the crowded conditions that have existed in that building. A third room is occupied by fourth grade pu- pils and the fourth by the Junior High pupils. By the use of the above rooms the average number per class room in Franklin, omitting the High School and the three outside schools, has been reduced from 39.1 to 34.5 pupils.
The Theron Metcalf Building now houses 400 pupils. it contains twelve class rooms, manual training and domestic science rooms all 'vith modern equipment, shower bathrooms and lavatories with modern plumbing, and an adequate heat- ing plant for furnishing all the pupils in all the rooms an ample amount of fresh air at the proper temperature and humidity. The building is admirably equipped and with the Hayward Athletic Field adjoining, should meet the needs of the town for Junior High School purposes for many years: to come.
SCHOOL FINANCES Repairs
During the past year in addition to a number of inciden -- tal repairs made at the various buildings the following work has been done :
1. Painting interior of Brick School Building.
2. Painting interior and exterior of Arlington Street Building and whitening all the ceilings. The interior work was made necessary by the fire.
3. Painting exterior of Thayer Building and interior of two upstairs rooms.
4. Painting interior of one room and hallways at Four Corners Building.
5. Painting exterior woodwork of old part of Theron Metcalf Building.
6. Whitening ceilings in west part of Nason Street Building. This work was made necessary by the fire.
7. Stripping and laying paperboard ceilings on two upstairs rooms at the Thayer Building. This work
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was made necessary by the loose condition of the plaster on these ceilings.
8. Enlarging porch roof at Four Corners Building.
9. Replacing and leveling all stone window sills on old part of Thereon Metcalf Building.
10. Replacing all loose mortar in brick and stone work' on old part of Theron Metcalf Building.
11. Placing metal hoods on old ventilating stacks and repairing roof at Theron Metcalf Building.
12. Installing larger steam heater at Thayer Building.
13. Relining and replacing cracked casting in furnace at Nason Street Building.
14. Replacing metal eaves troughs and conductors on part of Thayer Building.
15. Building new steps and platform at Thayer Build- ing.
Most of the above work was done during the summer vacation and has greatly improved the usefulness and ap- pearance of our school buildings.
Some of the most pressing work remaining to be done is given below :
1. Connecting Thayer Building with Town Sewer. At present it runs into a private cesspool which the owner wishes to discontinue.
2. Waterproofing and cementing platform at Ray School Building. At present water runs through platform into basement after a rain and is ruining the ceiling.
3. Painting interior and exterior of Ray School Build. ing and tinting ceilings.
4. Painting interior of two lower rooms and hallways at the Thayer Building.
5. Painting interior and exterior of the Nason Street Building and whitening ceilings in east part.
6. Resurfacing and repairing walks at Thayer and Na. son Buildings.
7. Providing a suitable supply of water for Unionville, North Franklin and South Franklin School build- ings.
Transportation
The interruption of service on the street railways d'li- ing the first part of the year on account of the snow and the
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discontinuance of the Medway line this fall have seriously complicated our transportation of school children in the out- lying districts of the town.
A horse-drown barge has been provided to carry the children formerly carried on the Medway cars, but as all the schools to which children go do not let out at the same time in the afternoon the discontinuance of the car line has meant an added inconvenience to many of the children and an increased expense to the town.
During the past term 191 pupils have been furnished transportation to school distributed as follows:
Medway Barge, 42
Mount Barge, 32
City Mills Barge, 38
Maple Street Barge, 8
M. A. & W. St. Ry., 71
On account of the increased expense necessitated by the discontinuance of the Medway line an increase in the appro- priation for transportation is necessary.
Books and Supplies
The appropriation for books and supplies was increased $500 last year in order to enable us to replace by new ones some of the books that were badly delapidated. During the year, however, the price of paper has increased from 40 to 100 percent and the price of books from 30 to 60 percent. This increase in cost has more than offset the increase in the appropriation and made its purchasing power less than ever. Even by using the utmost economy it has been necessary, since the first of October, on account of lack of funds, to refuse to purchase books and supplies that were needed for efficient class work.
In order that teachers' and pupils' time and effort will not be rendered ineffective for lack of proper materials it is necessary that the appropriation for this purpose be great- ly increased the coming year.
Salaries
During the past year thirteen teachers have resigned their positions in our schools. Two resigned to get married, the rest resigned to accept more lucrative positions else- where. The number of resignations has been much larger
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than in previous years and the difficulty in satisfactorily fill- ing the vacancies much greater.
This large number of resignations have come in spite of the fact that Franklin teachesr have been given an average increase of 25 percent and a flat increase of $100 in salary during the past year.
Below is a comparison of teachers' salaries in Franklin with the average inthe State as given in the Report of the Special Commission on Teachers' Salaries appointed by the Governor. The figures are for January 1, 1920, and are the latest official figures available.
High School Elementary School
Average salaries for Massachusetts, 1695.48 1237.83
Average salaries for Massachusetts' towns
over 5,000 population, 1372.93 1022.61
Average salaries in Franklin, 1025.00 759.00
The following data was obtained in regard to the aver- age salaries paid women teachers on October 1, 1920 in the twenty-five towns of Massachusetts between 5945 and 8101 population, and that paid in Franklin.
High School Jun. High School Elem. School
Aver. for 25 towns, $1377 $1225 $1140
Aver. for Franklin, 1250 1117 1015
The above data shows that the average pay of High School teachers in the state for towns over 5000 population on January 1, 1920 was $347.93 more, and for Elementary School teachers $253.61 more than in Franklin.
On October 1, 1920, after the two increases before men- tioned had been given Franklin teachers the difference is not so great but still it is over $100. for each class of teach- ers.
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