USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1930 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
124
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
having carefully studied the requirements of a building best suited for the town's needs.
"By careful management of the school appropriation, it should not increase the taxes so as to become a burden on any class of taxpayers. One suggestion might be that the East School, which has a small number of pupils, be closed, thus reducing the cost of maintenance.
"(signed) FINLAY D. MACDONALD."
"I recommend the erection of a new High School for the following reasons :
"1. The Investigating Committee-which included with the present members of the School Committee, four representative citizens whose motives are beyond question-has unanimously agreed that a new building should be erected.
"2. Sufficient data is at hand to enable the most exacting building committee to carry on the work.
"3. Taxes would not necessarily be increased, because a curtailment in the construction of permanent roads could offset the increased cost of maintaining new building.
"4. The present economic situation, with low money rates and lower building costs. offers an ideal time to undertake such a project.
"5. Postponement would only cause undue hardship to the children, whose welfare should be our primary consideration.
"After a personal investigation. I am convinced beyond all doubt that we should proceed at once, for 'The cause is greater than the man.'
"(signed) JOHN H. PERKINS."
"I am in accord with the report of the special committee, that the best method of relieving the present situation that exists in our school system. is to have a new High School erected.
125
REPORT OF FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
"A building committee should be appointed and plans be presented to the citizens for their study before an appropria- tion of money is made.
"We should have in mind, that if a substantial sum of money is to be spent for an adequate housing condition in our schools, thought should also be given to keeping our scholastic record on a high plane.
"J. E. AUSTIN."
It will be noted that in order to keep the tax rate down, it has been necessary to postpone the construction of the east- erly end of Bridge Street.
There follows an itemized list of appropriations and the maximums as suggested by this Committee for the year 1931:
1930
Charged to Taxes 1930
Recommended 1931
Salaries
Total
Selectmen
$1,350.00
$1,338.03
$850.00
$1,400.00
Accounting
1,300.00
1,298.11
1,200.00
1,300.00
Treasury
950.00
939.75
750.00
950.00
Collector
1,000.00
983.49
600.00
1,000.00
Assessors
1,800.00
1,797.04
800.00
1,800.00
Certification of Notes
20.00
10.00
20.00
Law
200.00
200.00
200.00
Town Clerk
650.00
649.44
500.00
650.00
Election and Reg.
950.00
847.00
500.00
Town Hall
2,200.00
2,163.20
2,200.00
Police
2,000.00
2,150.60
2,000.00
Fire
3,005.14
2,800.00
Fire extras (Ins. & Hose)
401.00
500.00
Sealer
350.00
318.68
350.00
Moth (Town)
2,200.00
2,197.73
2,000.00
Moth (New Spray)
195.65
300.00
Moth ( Private property)
1,500.00
2,000.00
Moth (Special)
1,000.00
Tree Warden
1,000.00
999.69
1,000.00
Forest Warden
150.00
173.48
25.00
150.00
Game Warden
15.00
10.00
15.00
Health Department
2,000.00
1,842.20
100.00
2,600.00
Insp. of Animals
75.00
74.82
75.00
Highways
17,000.00
17,990.98
1,500.00
17,000.00
126
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
1930
Charged to Taxes 1930
Recommended 1931 Salaries
Total
Highways-Special
34.818.00
Snow
4,000.00
5,672.09
5,000.00
Street Lights
8,100.00
8,071.81
8,200.00
Public Welfare
4,000.00
6,826.87
100.00
6,500.00
State Aid
300.00
273.00
100.00
Soldiers' Relief
800.00
1,05S.51
1,000.00
Schools
45.686.00
45.481.00
*45,880.00
Schools (Vocational Tr.)
725.00
423.90
600.00
Public Library
2,000.00
2,000.00
2,000.00
Parks
400.00
399.85
400.00
Memorial Day
300.00
269.64
300.00
Town Reports
425.00
410.05
425.00
Town Clock
100.00
79.36
50.00
American Legion
250.00
246.00
250.00
Boiler Inspection
50.00
41.41
125.00
Reserve Fund
3,000.00
2.998.89
3,000.00
Cemetery
900.00
897.20
65.00
900.00
Interest
3,000.00
3,006.31
3,000.00
Maturing Debt
2,000.00
2,000.00
2,000.00
Petroleum Inspector
( ?)
50.00
$156,089.92
$121,890.00
(" Including dog tax)
Charge to Taxes 1930
Charge to Taxes Asked Recommended 1931 1931
Departmental Budget (forward) $156,089.92
$123,960.00
$121,890.00
No.
ARTICLES
5. Overdraft 1930 (x)
X $4.126.91
. .... .x
6. Highland St.
12,000.00
$12,000.00
7. Bridge St.
25,000.00
*12,000.00
8.
Drainage, Hamilton Ave.
500.00
% 500.00
9.
Knowlton St. (z)
Z
2,000.00
. .. . . Z
10. Lorenzo St.
1,800.00
*1,800.00
11. Peterson Land
50.00
50.00
12. Pine St.
1,800.00
*1,800.00
13. Maple St.
6
% 100.00
14. Cottage St. oiled
250.00
* 250.00
15. Farm Road (z)
400.00
16. Pipe Line
3,000.00
*3,000.00
17.
School House Report
(No action)
. . ..
.
18. Architects
200.00
200.00
19.
School (cash)
2.000.00
2,000.00
20.
Max Norman Fund
(No action)
.....
....
7.
...... Z
127
REPORT OF FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Charge to Taxes 1930
Charge to Taxes Asked Recommended
1931
1931
21. Fred Stilling's
(Not approved)
180.50
00
22. Cross St.
(No action)
.
·
23. Paint Town Hall
1,400.00
*1,400.00
24. Essex Tuber. Hospital
$1,224.97
1,382.99
1,382.99
25. Essex Tuber. Hospital
792.62
828.61
828.61
Grand Totals
$158,107.51 $180,879.01 $159,201.60
" To be done under the supervision and direction of the Selectmen. x To be charged to Surplus.
z To be done by Highway department, under its appropriation.
G. v. L. MEYER WM. W. BANCROFT F. D. MACDONALD JOHN H. PERKINS
J. E. AUSTIN
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
FOR THE YEAR 1930
MASS
ALEX.
HAMILTON
E
, HA
ITS.
. INC
1793·
SALEM, MASS. NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS 1931
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
February 11, 1931
Citizens of Hamilton :-
The School Committee is pleased to take this opportunity to submit our Report for 1930 and recommendations con- cerning the future policy of the schools of the Town.
We were unfortunate in losing the services of our Prin- cipal, Mr. William E. Cottle, last year, for we feel that he contributed a great deal toward the advancement of the school and its standing, but we have obtained in the present Prin- cipal, Mr. Willard B. Spalding, a man whom we feel will carry on the excellent work of his predecessor and contribute many new and valuable improvements to the school system.
The Town was decidedly unfortunate in having several resignations this year, but they were primarily due to unfore- seen circumstances and the natural desire for professional advancement which a larger school system affords. We feel that these vacancies have been filled by teachers who will main- tain the very satisfactory work of their predecessors.
The Committee inaugurated the system of periodic exami- nations in the High School with the hope that this system will more thoroughly train the students who desire to pursue studies in higher institutions of learning as well as to materially aid those who directly enter a vocation after the completion of secondary education.
We cannot emphasize too much the importance of adequate training in the schools of Hamilton to equip its students for the practical problems of life.
We have asked for an appropriation of $45,880 for the
4
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
year 1931 as contrasted with expenditures of $46,194 for the year 1930. It seems that the appropriation asked for by the School Committee will be adequate to carry on the standard of work the administrative officers and faculty are attempting.
One of the many and varied duties of the School Committee is to inform the Town from time to time of the housing con- ditions existing in the schools and to suggest some remedy to alleviate the prevailing conditions.
It seems that it is the duty of the Town, in all fairness to the pupils, to maintain adequate buildings for the students and to provide for their comfort and material welfare. The committee appointed by the Town to look into the housing conditions of the schools has placed definite information and recommendations before you relative to the housing situation of your students and we take this opportunity to urge you to take favorable action on the recommendations of the Inves- tigating Committee.
The students and teachers deserve better working and hous- ing conditions and the School Committee faithfully feels that improved results will be obtained both from the teaching staff and the pupils if they have more favorable conditions under which to work and study.
It is the desire of the Committee and the administrative staff to segregate the older pupils from the younger children, each into a separate building where the one will not interfere and retard the progress of the other. This can be done by the erection of a new Junior-Senior High School building which will leave the present South School building, without the two annexes, to house the first six grades.
One of the fundamental principles of education is that the body be developed and trained in the same degree as the mind. Under the present conditions, we are unable to provide ade-
5
SCHOOL REPORT
quate physical development for the students, but this new building with a combination auditorium and gymnasium will give the pupils all of the necessary facilities required to materially aid in the physical development of the child. It is our belief that physical training is an important function of the school system and should have more emphasis in our schools than it now enjoys.
The plan of financing, as recommended by the Investigating Committee, would require additional taxes applied to the School System on an average of about $1.65 per $1000 valua- tion for the entire twenty-year period. On the first ten years the average increase would be about $1.98 per $1000 valua- tion and for the last ten years about $1.35 per $1000 valuation. The actual increase for the first year 1932 would be about $2.20 per $1000 valuation, decreasing each year about five or six cents per $1000 valuation until the twentieth year, at which time, the rate would be about $1.13 per $1000 valuation.
The above figures are based on $5,000 to $6,000 in bonds to be retired each year, interest payments, and operating expenses for the new building of about $3300 per year. The School Committee feels that this relatively small increase in taxes per $1000 valuation would be more than offset by the improved teaching results and the many benefits your chil- dren would derive from such expenditures.
The school population has consistently increased from 351 in the entire school system in 1920 to 388 pupils in 1930. There are approximately 362 pupils housed in the South School building which should only carry between 225 to 250 pupils. These overcrowded conditions make the building an exceptional fire hazard and places the lives of our pupils and teachers in more than ordinary danger. This abnormal con- dition does not contribute a great deal toward sanitary living conditions for the pupils in the school. The present plant is
6
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
adequate to house the students of the first six grades, but is too small to house the number of children now enrolled in the entire school system.
It seems that the Town of Hamilton should not expect its teachers to work under such dangerous conditions and should not allow its youth to be educated under such hazardous cir- cumstances. It would appear that the Town of Hamilton should take the necessary steps to raise the standard of its schools and to relieve the impending danger under which its school children have to live.
In regard to the prevailing rumor concerning the closing of the East School, the School Committee wishes to state that we feel that such a procedure would be an unwise move and that we are neither in favor nor do we recommend the dis- continuance of this school.
The School Committee wishes to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for the cooperation extended by the administrative officers, faculty, pupils and townspeople in assisting the School System to maintain the standard which it now enjoys.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT ROBERTSON, JR., Chairman. CLARISSA E. READY, Secretary. FREDERICK C. HOLLAND.
7
SCHOOL REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee,
Dear Madam and Sirs,
I herewith submit my eighth annual report as Superin- tendent of the schools of Hamilton.
ENROLLMENT
Our total membership for all grades as of October 1, 1930 was three hundred eighty-eight. This was ten less than a year previous. Although there may be noted a small increase or decrease from year to year it is found that our total enroll- ment remains at approximately four hundred.
TEACHERS
Resignations since my last report have been numerous. Principal William E. Cottle resigned to accept a position as head of the school system at Rockport. Mr. Willard Spalding was secured to fill this position.
Miss Hilda Tilton, teacher of grade six, resigned to accept a position in Connecticut. This position was filled by trans- ferring Miss Ellen Duffy from the Adelaide Dodge Walsh School. Miss Eileen Murray was elected to fill the vacancy caused by this transfer.
Miss Mary Burns resigned to be married. Miss Grace Tanner was secured to fill this position.
Miss Inga Vogler resigned to accept a position in the New Britain, Connecticut, High School. Mr. Frank Malone was elected to fill this position.
Teachers who have left our system for other positions have done so for professional advancement as well as for a greater
S
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
remuneration for services. It is generally the professional advancement which interests them first even though with this comes increased salary.
Resignations are sure to take place in spite of every effort we may make to retain the teachers. We cannot expect our new teachers to take up the work just where the others have left it. They must become acquainted with the ability of the pupils, with the texts and requirements of the school. This takes time and of course retards progress for pupils as well as for the system as a whole. It is the duty of the Superin- tendent and Principal to be of assistance to the new teachers that they may adjust themselves to the work with the least possible loss to pupil or system. I realize that the pupils as well as parents at times become somewhat impatient while this adjustment takes place. Patience, rather than impatience, in working out the many problems within the system is bound to produce required results.
ADMITTANCE TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS
The admittance to educational institutions after leaving our high school as well as ability to pursue the work in these institutions is the cause of much controversy. It is well that this is the case. It should work to the maintenance of a high standard for our school and also for the realization on part of pupils that to gain admittance to the higher institutions means a high standard of work in high school. Admittance to these institutions is of course important but it is of much greater importance to pupils to do creditable work while there.
Admittance to these institutions depends upon three very important points.
1. That the high school be so organized and administered that it can prepare pupils for these institutions.
9
SCHOOL REPORT
2. That the pupils have the mental capacity to profit from prescribed training while in our high school.
3. That these pupils realize the importance of a thorough training in the fundamental subjects and a willingness to forego many pleasures that they may reach the desired goal.
Our school is organized, administered, equipped and pro- vided with a teaching force suitable for preparing pupils for any of the higher institutions in New England.
It occasionally happens that pupils decide late in their high school course to enter institutions for which they have not prepared themselves to meet entrance requirement. The school is not responsible for this lack of foresight.
It also happens that some pupils are not of sufficiently high mental ability to profit by study in institutions which they may choose to enter. If these pupils enter these insti- tutions against the advice of their instructors they must assume full responsibility for success or failure.
Principals and teachers of our Hamilton High School have without exception agreed with me for the last eight years that the point on which success or failure for admittance to other institutions largely depends is the willingness on part of pupils to go through the proper amount of mental effort to attain a rank sufficiently high to guarantee admittance to the institution of their choice.
Conferences with parents often reveal the bare fact that they do not fully realize the amount of work necessary on part of their children to secure the necessary foundation. Out- side activities are often allowed to consume too large a pro- portion of pupils' time, thus making it utterly impossible for pupils to do the required work. As a parent I know that no pupil in high school preparing for college or institution of equal standing can do so without real mental effort and a
10
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
willingness to make many sacrifices of a social nature in order to attain the desired goal. As I look over the records of pupils who are graduates of our high school I find that every pupil who methodically and conscientiously pursued the work of our school has been able to do most creditable work after graduat- ing whether in school or occupation.
I believe the citizens of Hamilton will agree with me that the education of youth is a most serious task. This respon- sibility falls upon parent. teacher and pupil and each should contribute that the product at our school may deserve the label "Graduate of Hamilton High School."
PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT
For several years it has been my aim to secure the services of an instructor to give a course which would be general enough to interest teachers throughout the grades and vet definite in content.
Such a course on "Progressive Tendencies in Teaching English" was conducted by Miss Dorothy Lyons of Salem Normal School faculty during the latter part of the year. It was the unanimous opinion of the teachers that this was one of the most helpful courses they had been privileged to take.
If suitable instructors can be secured for desired courses it is my purpose to have similar courses conducted annually.
During last year teachers of grades three to six made a study of several texts in Arithmetic. As a result the Straver- Upton texts were recommended for option. These texts have been purchased and are proving most satisfactory as to con- tent and method.
NEW JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The special committee appointed by your Town Moderator to study the needs of schools has most faithfully performed
11
SCHOOL REPORT
its duty. The conclusions arrived at by this committee are worthy of the serious consideration of every voter. The acceptance of this report and support of voters in putting recommendations into effect should be a matter of personal pride in which everyone interested in the schools should share.
CONCLUSION
The faithful performance of duties by teachers, the wise counselling by School Committee and interest manifested in the schools by the citizens has been greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN D. WHITTIER
January 31, 1931.
12
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir:
In making my first report as Principal of the Hamilton High School. I would like to convey my pleasure at finding the organization of the school so efficiently completed by Mr. Cottle. I am sure that Hamilton has been fortunate in har- ing him administer the High School for them during the past few years.
Of course. every year should bring progress and certain changes have been made. or will be made. which should bring the school curriculum and organization a little nearer to per- fection. These changes and proposals are based upon a philosophy of education which says. "Every child has the right to as much education as he. or his parents. desire him to have. This education. while being particularly aimed along the lines toward which the individual is inclined. should develop the broad background needed to live in the America of today."
The first business of every adult. after making his liveli- hood. is that of being a citizen. The boys and girls of today will soon be taking part in town. state. and national politics. The school should train them to take an intelligent part in modern life. To my mind. the best training for citizenship is being a citizen. In order to achieve this end a system of student government is being organized which is modeled closely upon that of the town. and through which the pupils will direct and control the various extra-curricular activities of the school. These activities. which include athletics. school pub- lications, school plays. assemblies. clubs. etc .. are of such a nature that their success is greater if the initiative back of them comes from the pupil.
13
SCHOOL REPORT
Second, a system of educational guidance is in the process of becoming effective. By such a system it is possible to dis- cover the special aptitudes and difficulties of the individual pupil and to place him in such courses, clubs, rooms, etc., as will best meet his needs. Guidance includes accurate ability testing, pupil-teacher conferences, opportunity for the develop- ment of worthwhile social habits, clubs which interest pupils in worthy use of leisure time, case study of problems, and similar activities.
Third, accurate planning of courses to meet the ultimate goals of secondary education will result in well-defined col- lege, commercial, technical, normal, and general courses. I believe that pupils and parents desire the school to arrange its program very clearly in order that there may be less diffi- culty in selecting the subject matter needed for entrance into a certain type of college or business.
Fourth, athletic teams have been placed under my direc- tion. While I do not consider myself an excellent coach, I do feel strongly that no team should represent the school for which some member of the school faculty is not directly responsible. I have therefore attended all games and practice sessions and have attempted to teach fair, clean play to those boys competing. I am a firm believer in the value of football in building man- hood. Hamilton is located near several schools of approximate- ly the same size which have teams and would be fair competition for our boys. Plans are under way to organize a football team in the fall and several games have been scheduled.
By far the most important need of the school at the present time is a building in which an adequate educational program can be placed. I can think of no greater service to the boys and girls of Hamilton than that of placing them in a modern build- ing where their education can be more accurately and completely planned.
14
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
In closing I wish to express my appreciation of your kindly cooperation and intelligent criticism. I thoroughly enjoy work- ing with you and with the school committee in making Hamilton High School a better place for the education of boys and girls.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLARD B. SPALDING. Principal.
January 22. 1931.
15
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools,
DEAR SIR :
I herewith submit my sixth annual report as school nurse for the town of Hamilton.
From January until June the health program in the schools consists of home visits, clerical work, clinics and follow up work on the several physical defects.
In regard to contagious and communicable diseases we have been rather fortunate in not having had any serious epidemics. A watchful check up on all children in the schools is frequently made and suspicious cases are excluded. A certificate of ad- mission from a physician must be presented before any child having had any contagious or communicable disease can be re- admitted to school.
Total number contagious and communicable diseases for 1930
Measles
20 Whooping cough 1
Chicken pox 26 Mumps 1
Impetigo 7 Itch 1
Health Day Programs are given annually in May or June to make a final check up on health work of the year. All children having defects corrected and those who have shown improve- ment in posture, weight, dental care, etc. are awarded Health Tags. A health play is given which helps to stimulate interest among the parents and children. The Physical Fit Tag is the one above all others desired as every child realizes he or she must be physically fit in order to receive one. Being physically fit means the child has no defective teeth or tonsils, has good posture, is not over 7% underweight and observes all the rules of cleanliness.
16
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Our Health Day Tags were awarded as follows :
Physical Fit Tags 63 Weight Tags 259
Posture Tags 191 Improvement Tags 72
Dental Tags 74 (Posture and Weight)
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
As usual in June parents having children entering school in September were requested to have their children vaccinated during the summer months. The parents were asked to attend the pre-school clinic for examination of children entering or were given a health card with request that they have their physician fill it out after an examination of the child has been made. These cards are placed on file at the school office.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.