USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1959 > Part 9
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Report of the School Committee 4-5
Report of the Superintendent of Schools 6-12
Hamilton-Wenham Schools Organization Chart 1959 13
FINANCES :
Appropriations, State and Local Reimbursement for Hamilton Public Schools 14
How Was Our School Money Spent ? 15
From Where Did Our School Money Come ? 15
Public Law 874 Revolving Fund 16
Cafeteria Revolving Fund 16
Athletic Revolving Fund 16
How Large Are Our Schools ? 17
How Many Personnel Work in Our Schools ? 17
PUPIL STATISTICS
Membership by Age and Grade, October 1, 1959 17
School Census as of October 1, 1959 18
SELECTED REPORTS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Hamilton High School Principal 19-23
Winthrop School Principal . 24
Manasseh Cutler School Principal 25
MISCELLANEOUS
School Staff Directory 28-30
Resignations and Retirements 31
Commencement Exercises 32-33
Regulations :
Age of Admittance 34
Vaccination 34
No-School Signal 34
School Calendar 35
3
"Quality Education Is Our Goal"
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Members Terms Expire Donald L. Miller, Chairman, 351 Bay Road, South Hamilton ... 1962
Frederick J. Caldwell, Sr., Vice-Chairman, 118 Linden Street, South Hamilton 1962
Richard M. Emery, 30 Moynihan Road, South Hamilton 1960
James E. Hall, Rock Maple Avenue, Hamilton 1960
Morley L. Piper, 428 Essex Street, Hamilton 1961
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
WINTHROP SCHOOL Mail Address : Bay Road, South Hamilton, Massachusetts Telephone: Hamilton 1250
John H. Lawson, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Elizabeth P. Edmondson.
.Secretary
Ruth P. Whipple. Bookkeeper Madeline Ricker Census Enumerator Irene Dankowski Truant Officer
4
REPORT OF THE HAMILTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Voters of Hamilton:
The School Committee herewith accepts and transmits to the Town the report of the Superintendent of Schools for the Year 1959.
During 1959 there were two major additions to the Hamilton edu- cational system : Our Summer School Program became operative in July and The Winthrop School opened in September. The Summer School Program, which was virtually self-supporting through the payment of a ten dollar ($10.00) per course tuition proved extremely successful at all grade levels. Not only was the response high in the number of pupils enrolled, but the results achieved became readily evident in the classroom work of the individual students early in the regular school year. It is our intent to continue this program and expand it further should the demand exist during the summer of 1960. In September of 1960 the opening of the new Winthrop School and its integration into the Hamilton system was accomplished in a very efficient manner by the Superintendent, the new principal, and the teachers. To date, the new facility has worked out very well and has proven to be a valuable and necessary addition to our plant facilities.
Looking at the broad picture it is gratifying to note that an increas- ing percentage of our graduates are being accepted to accredited colleges such as Bryn Mawr, Connecticut College for Women, Wellesley, Dart- mouth College, Rensselaer, Lowell Tech, The University of Massachusetts, and The University of New Hampshire. Through its attention to staff and curriculum your committee is making every effort to see that this trend continues.
The progress which your school committee feels has been made during the past year could not have been accomplished without the full co- operation of the faculty and staff in putting into practice those policies established and recommendations made by the school committee and the superintendent of schools.
During 1960 your school committee has worked with yet another major factor in mind, the overwhelming indication on the part of the voters of both the towns of Hamilton and Wenham to ultimately achieve a regional high school. Toward this end, a Superintendency Union has been established between the two towns for the elementary grades and
5
other steps have been taken which it is hoped will facilitate the physical part of regionalization, should that be the final decision of the voters.
Realizing that an increased tax rate is burdensome to all, your school committee would like to express its sincere appreciation to all the tax- payers of the Town of Hamilton for the spirit of support which has been evidenced and without which our program could not go forward.
Respectfully submitted, DONALD L. MILLER, Chairman FREDERICK J. CALDWELL, Vice Chairman RICHARD M. EMERY JAMES E. HALL MORLEY L. PIPER
Hamilton School Committee
6
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
December 31, 1959
To the Members of the School Committee:
It is with pleasure that I submit my third annual report as Super- intendent of the Hamilton Public Schools. Last year considerable infor- mation was transmitted in the annual report to provide you and the citizens with a description of the status of our schools and to provide some insight into our future direction. This year the report will confine itself to some of the major accomplishments of 1959 and will also reflect some of our aspirations.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION
After a lapse of 18 years, the school systems of Hamilton and Wen- ham were reunited by the formation of a Superintendency Union on October first. The purpose of this reunion was to place all of the schools in the two towns, including the proposed regional high school, under one administration. The realignment will provide greater economy of operation and will also permit coordination of all educational activities in the two towns. This new administrative arrangement should set the stage for development of a program of studies which will provide the same basic program for students of both towns before and after they enter the regional high school. Why was October first selected for the formation of the new union ? Although some thought had been given by local and regional school committee members to the ultimate consolidation of the two towns' schools, the development of the union was swift. The action, recommended by the State Department of Education, was initiated by the resignation of the Topsfield-Wenham Superintendent, Mr. Maurice Smith, to accept a similar position in Connecticut. Topsfield, now in a Regional program with Boxford and Middleton, requested permission to separate from Wenham in order to join with Boxford. The state depart- ment agreed to let Topsfield unite with Boxford providing Wenham could join Hamilton. Thus, on October first, the Hamilton-Wenham Union was organized and the Hamilton Superintendent elected to administer the newly created union. At present the local schools in each town are being directed by their respective school committees and the regional unit is administered by a joint committee, consisting of three members from each town. Ultimately, all schools should be administered by one school committee with representatives serving from each town.
WINTHROP SCHOOL
The opening of the Winthrop School in September has had favorable affects on the school system as a whole. For the first time since 1949, all
7
students in the public schools of Hamilton are attending classes in regular school buildings. The new facility has permitted reorganization of all grades so that the Cutler School now houses students from the kinder- garten through grade three, the Winthrop School handles grades four, five and six, and the High School provides rooms for students in the seventh through the twelfth grades.
The new school contains twelve classrooms, a playroom, a cafetorium with a stage, a small library, a teachers' room, and offices for the prin- cipal and superintendent. The school is very functional and was con- structed at a very reasonable cost. The town should be very proud of this investment in the future of our community.
Many people worked hard to have this facility ready in September. The members of the Elementary Building Committee labored endlessly and the school custodial and secretarial staffs contributed much also. Few people in town realize that the custodians, with the help of Mr. Stelline of the Park Department and Mr. Haraden of the Tree Depart- ment, moved all of the old equipment for grades 4, 5, and 6 from the Cutler and High Schools to the Winthrop School, prior to the opening of school in September. The secretarial staff prepared, under the direc- tion of the Superintendent, all specifications and awards for the new equipment purchased for the school, thus saving the town the expense of having the architect or an equipment consultant do this work.
Although the usual problems encountered in any new structure have been evident, I am happy to report to the committee and town that the school is functioning well. Comparisons with the cost of building similar structures in other communities clearly indicates that we have a quality structure at minimum cost.
REGIONAL SCHOOL
The school development which will have the greatest impact upon the future of the town was the overwhelming approval of the Hamilton- Wenham Regional agreement by the town in June. Although our present high school is doing a commendable job of preparing its student body for training beyond the secondary level, it is obvious that our high school program is being hampered by a serious lack of adequate facilities such as science laboratories, guidance areas, a library, shop and home eco- nomics rooms. These aforementioned facilities, needed for adequate high school education in 1960, can only be made available by the construction of a new high school. In such a school, as proposed for the Regional District, the town will be able to offer all of the essential facilities of a comprehensive high school at reasonable cost. Although there are critics of the regional movement, the facts are clear to those who seriously study the regional development. It is the best answer for small towns which have been hit by the impact of large increases in pupils within the past few years. By combining our resources with Wenham, in the construc- tion of a high school, we not only solve the problem of providing adequate secondary facilities but also make classroom space available for our surg- ing junior high school population which will fill to capacity the present high school building within a few years.
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ENROLLMENTS
An examination of the 1957 annual report will enable the reader to observe the accuracy of our pupil projections thus far. Our prediction for 1959 was 1290 pupils while the actual number of students enrolled was 1276. These figures reemphasize the need for town support in not only providing facilities for our increasing high school population but in preparing ourselves for consideration of additional elementary facilities in the near future. Our projections listed below were made on the basis of the number of children born up to 1957 and the number who have moved to town since 1945. Any major housing development in the town would certainly make these projection figures inaccurate and will require additional school rooms.
PUPIL ENROLLMENTS AND PERCENT OF INCREASE 1954 -1960
Enrollment
763
872
978
1054
1159
1276
1408* 1530* 1660* 1800*
Year
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
over
over
over
over
over
over
over
over
over
over
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
% of increase
12%
14%
12%
8%
10%
13%
11%
10%
10%
10%
*Estimated
SCHOOL COSTS
The cost of all services has been rising steadily for many years and schools are no exception. An evaluation of the 1959 financial statement and the 1960 budget will clearly show that our school costs have been increasing considerably each year. This increase is caused, for the most part, by the increase in the number of pupils attending the local schools. For example, the present total of 1276 boys and girls will increase to 1408 in 1960 and 1530 in 1961. Consequently, the 1960 budget reflects the cost of extra teachers, supplies and services necessary to handle this increased enrollment.
The average citizen might well ask whether or not the School Com- mittee is careful in its budget planning and spending. This can best be answered by presenting a few statistics of importance. In 1959, Hamil- ton's per pupil cost without deducting reimbursements was $305, while the state average for towns in our class was $326. During this same period the amount expended by the neighboring towns of Wenham, Topsfield, Essex and Manchester was $383, $333, $453, and $320 respectively. Last year, Hamilton expended 48% of the local tax dollar for schools while the average in our classification was 50%.
It would be fortunate if this report could say that future expendi- tures would be less but this is not possible in a town that shows a gain
9
of over one hundred new pupils each year. The 1959 budget of $383,793.63 plus $1453.99 in transfers was actually reduced by approximately $68,890.88 which was returned to the town from various sources as school reimbursements. An additional amount of approximately $15,000 was also received for school construction aid.
School costs represent the greatest share of any town's expense but also represent the greatest investment a community can make. The sacri- fices being made in expenditures should be accepted with the under- standing that whatever sacrifice our town may make is an investment in our children rather than an expense. To do less, would be to offer our children a second-rate education to compete in today's rapidly changing society.
STAFF
The success of any school system is dependent upon the calibre of the teaching staff and the subsequent learning that takes place in the various classrooms. We are most fortunate in Hamilton in having a group of dedicated and professional teachers. Despite the acute shortage of trained instructors, we have been able to staff our schools well. This year, it was necessary to select seven additional teachers to staff the Winthrop School and two more to instruct increased numbers at the upper grade levels. Much time and effort is required to seek out and select the kind of teachers desired in Hamilton. The only way that we can continue to keep our good teachers and to attract qualified replacements is to offer salaries which are equal to or better than those being paid in other com- munities in the area.
In addition to the many duties involved in teaching every day, many of our staff are studying for advanced degrees at nearby colleges and universities while others are engaged in in-service projects or doing private study and research. In teaching, as in medicine and engineering, it is no longer acceptable to use outmoded techniques. Our teachers and other staff members are to be commended for their cooperation, effort and desire to see our system become second to none. It is only by their con- tributions that we have been able to make as much progress as our schools witnessed during 1959.
It would be impossible to comment on the staff without paying spe- cial tribute to Miss Florence Stobbart who retired after serving the town as school nurse for 34 years and Miss Edith Anderson who taught the children of this town for 40 years. Both of these dedicated servants have left lasting marks on our schools and their retirements are looked upon with much regret. We miss these loyal and dedicated school employees and wish them well in their years of well-deserved retirement.
The Hamilton Public Schools are good schools. Our products are now able to gain admission to well known and recognized colleges and they are also able to gain desirable employment after graduation. The year 1959 saw many improvements in our school program. Among the major accomplishments were :
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 1959
A. Curriculum improvement
1. Grouping students from grades 3-8 by abilities
2. Teaching developmental reading classes in grades 7 and 8
3. Adopting French as a part of the curriculum in grades 4-8
4. Completing a new course of study for the elementary arithmetic program
5. Completing courses of study for all junior and senior high school subjects
6. Organizing a high school library within limited space available
7. Adding physical education to the curriculum of grades 4, 5, and 6
8. Transferring the responsibility for handwriting from outside instructors to the local staff
9. Continuing study of curriculum by teacher groups
10. Adopting plan of homework assignments for some primary students
11. Establishing a class for children who need special help
12. Organizing the high school day on a 7 period day to enable more opportunities for extra labs, activities and remedial help in math and other subjects
13. Introducing outside speakers to classes when expert opinion is needed on a particular topic
14. Participating in educational TV programs in English and Science
B. In-Service Education
1. Studying at local universities by many staff members
2. Meetings of department heads
3. Meetings of teachers within buildings by grades and subjects
4. Meetings of principals with superintendent
5. Releasing classes for afternoon in-service program
6. Developing new report cards for elementary grades
7. Introducing a program of teacher visitation to other school systems
11
C. Construction, Maintenance and General Operation
1. Constructing the Winthrop School
2. Repairing flashing, repainting doors, cleaning and refireproof- ing stage curtains and other minor maintenance work at the Cutler School
3. Repainting rooms, interior doors, installing new shop ceiling, repairing heating system and other minor work at the high school
D. Other accomplishments
1. Organizing a summer school program for remedial and enrich- ment work
2. Playing 11 man football at the high school
3. Introducing golf, tennis, cross country at high school
4. Preparing parents' bulletin at Winthrop School
5. Releasing to the town federal funds received under Public Law 874
6. Opening of a speech clinic in Hamilton by the Hamilton- Wenham Lions Club
7. Opening of Winthrop School with its new cafeteria
8. Inviting parents to participate in school lunch programs
9. Continuing participation of an active PTA in the best interests of the schools
10. Introducing adult education courses in Hamilton
11. Reorganizing National Honor Society at the high school
Changes and subsequent improvements are constantly taking place in any recognized school system and Hamilton is no exception. Among the recommendations that I plan to present to the School Committee and town in the year to come, the following are particularly called to your attention :
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Constructing a regional high school with Wenham.
2. Appointing a director of elementary education who will consolidate and correlate the elementary programs in the two towns.
3. Developing mutual understanding between the towns of Hamilton and Wenham in order that complete regionalization of all grades may become possible.
12
4. Continuing public support in making the academic side of our schools the number one objective.
5. Continuing public support in helping our schools to progress towards the present high level goals which are being pursued.
6. Adopting a system of rewarding teachers on their individual value rather than the basis of a step salary scale.
7. Considering an eleven month work year for some teachers in order that time be made available for developing new curriculum materials. analyzing student strengths and weaknesses and teaching remedial and enrichment classes.
In 1959, the people of Hamilton again showed their willingness to support our educational program by constructing the Winthrop School and by continuing their support of the total school development. Our town officials have helped immeasurably by their advice, guidance and help and our administrators, teachers and students have demonstrated favorable attitudes towards teaching and learning. However important these contributions have been, they could not have been made without the courage, direction and leadership which the Chairman and Members of the School Committee have demonstrated to the town and its schools. Few, if any, other town committees are asked to spend as much time in the service of the community without remuneration. We are always very much aware of their outstanding contributions and we want to publicly state our appreciation of their unselfish efforts in behalf of our schools. When a community plans and works together for the best interests of its schools, progress is inevitable. As this report indicates 1959 has been a very fruitful year in the Hamilton Public Schools.
It is my firm conviction that the future of our public school program in Hamilton is bright. I look forward to its development with great optimism.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. LAWSON
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HAMILTON . WENHAM SCHOOLS
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 1959
CITIZENS OF HAMILTON
CITIZENS OF WENHAM
LOCAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
LOCAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
SECRETARY AND BOOKKEEPER
FISCAL MATTERS
Prepare and control 3 budgets Prepare payrolls for 2 towns School and Regional Purchasing Agent for towns and regional Preparation of contracts
2 Managers 14 Workers
4 Lunch Programs 5 Milk Programs
FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS
TADVISOR TO ELEMENTARY BUILDING COMMITTEE
HEALTH PROGRAM
2 Nurses
2 Part-time Physicians
1 Cooperating Dentist
SECRETARY TO HAMILTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC RELATIONS
TRANSPORTATION
Preparation of bus routes for 1000 children
Make arrangements with contractors Educational trips Preparation of specifications
SUPERVISORS
2 Part-time vocal instructors
2
= " instrumental =
2
" art
11
" Physical Education instructor
1
=
Il Elementary French instructor
PUPIL PERSONNEL
Annual Examinations and Census Individual Records
Hamilton High School
Manasseh Cutler School
Winthrop School
Bessie Buker School
Wenham Juniog High School
19
17
1 Super. Principal Teachers
12
15
Teachers
8
1/4
Clerk
1/4
1/2
Clerk
1/2 Clerk
2
Clerk Custodians Students
512
:341
309
Students Cafeteria
150 Students
Cafeteria
Cafeteria
Clerkq Custodian Students Cafeteria
2
Custodians
1 Custodian
416
2 Custodians Students
1
1 Super. Principal Teachers
1
Super. Principal;
1 Teach. Principal Teachers
1/2
5 Administrative Personnel Teaching Personnel Consultant Personnel
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OF STAFF
IMPROVEMENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
MAINTENANCE MATTERS
MEMBER HAMILTON BUILDING NEEDS COMMITTEE
Supervise repairs in 5 schools Preparation of repair specifi- cations Charge of 8 janitors
GUIDANCE
1 Guidance Director Hamilton K -- 12
CERTIFIED PERSONNEL
71
1 Super. Principal Teachers
14
FINANCE Appropriation, State and Local Reimbursement for Hamilton Public Schools
1959 Budget
1960 Budget
Appropriated at Town Meeting:
Regular Budget
$382,793.63
$431,263.00
Plus Transfers
1,453.99
Specials
1,000.00
1,500.00
$385,247.62
$432,763.00
Returned to the Town from:
Unexpended Budget
$ 6,940.36
$ 5,000.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts : General School Fund
45,321.75
48,196.00
Vocational
483.73
500.00
Transportation (Regular)
5,875.00
12,500.00
Transportation (Special Education and Special Class)
1,000.00
Public Law 874
8,708.68
5,000.00
National Defense Act
1,500.00
Tuition :
Town of Wenham
1,537.50
1,500.00
Town of Essex
240.00
400.00
Miscellaneous
314.18
200.00
$ 69,421.20
$ 75,796.00
Net Cost to the Town
$315,826.43
$356,967.00
Actual Returns for 1959, Estimated for 1960
Actual net cost for 1959, Estimated for 1960
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HOW WAS OUR SCHOOL MONEY SPENT?
Categories
Budget 1959
Expended 1959
Percent of Total
Budget 1960
1. General Expense
$ 18,298.00 $ 17,067.08
4.5
$ 15,402.00
2. Expense of Instruction
270,318.94
267,048.16
70.5
304,451.00
3. Textbooks and Supplies Transfer
16,962.69
18,161.91
4.8
19,193.00
1,200.00
18,162.69
4. Operation of Plant
33,613.00
33,593.28
8.9
43,785.00
5. Maintenance of Plant
8,225.00
7,703.00
2.
8,200.00
6. Auxiliary Agencies
30,594.00
29,202.21
7.8
34,842.00
7. Outlay
4,782.00
4,277.63
1.2
5,390.00
8. Special Appropriation Transfer
1,000.00
1,253.99
0.3
1,500.00
253.99
1,253.99
Totals
$385,247.62 $378,307.26
100
$432,763.00
FROM WHERE DID OUR SCHOOL MONEY COME ?
Sources
1959
1960
1. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
$ 51,680.48
$ 62,196.00
2. United States Government
8,708.68
6,500.00
3. Local Taxation
322,766.78
361,967.00
4. Tuition and Miscellaneous
2,091.68
2,100.00
$385,247.62
$432,763.00
The portion from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is based on the number of children attending school between the ages of 7 and 16 on October 1st of each year.
The portion from the United States Government is based on the average daily attendance of children whose parents are employed on federal properties. A minimum of 3% is necessary for a community to be eligible. Approximately $220.00 is received annually for each pupil in this category.
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PUBLIC LAW 874 REVOLVING FUND 1959
Balance, January 1, 1959
$3,449.00
Receipts during 1959
$3,650.00
1,609.69
5,259.68
Total Cash
$8,708.68
Transferred to "E and D" Fund of Town of Hamilton
$8,708.68
Balance, December 31, 1959
None
CAFETERIA REVOLVING FUND 1959
Cash Balance, January 1, 1959
$ 2,158.05
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