USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1921-1930 > Part 39
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REPORT OF MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
The appropriation for Memorial Day, May 30, 1928, $175.00, was used as follows :
Decorating 115 graves semi-annually
$ 52.50
Parade music
85.00
Dinner expense
30.50
Services, Town Hall
7.00
$175.00
Respectfully submitted,
T. HAWLEY, Treasurer of Committee.
For American Legion Post 131.
38
Y
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
During the past year the usual park work has been done. The appearance of the centre common has been improved considerably by edging the sides, lining out and surfacing the path with rock dust.
We feel that a creditable job has been done at Suntaug Park during the past year. The field is now at a rough grade, and when smoothed out, will make a very desirable playground.
Respectfully submitted, E. Q. MOULTON, HARRY B. NESBITT, RAYMOND R. PEARSON.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: The usual spring scraping of gutters of roads was done. A number of streets broke up, requiring considerable patching.
Arlington St. and Fairview Ave. were rebuilt and surfaced with heavy oil. Essex St. was graded between Forest Hill Ave. and the residence of Daniel Smith. A number of large boulders were removed and the street scarified, and relaid with one coat of oil. I hope this year we will have sufficient funds to complete Essex st.
About all of the streets received a treatment of oil or tarvia.
I hope the town will consider building a shed to house the Highway equipment as this is greatly needed.
Respectfully submitted,
MINOT H. CARTER, Superintendent of Streets.
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I herewith submit my fifth annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1929. ' The depart- ment responded to 111 bell alarms, some of which were false, and a large number of grass and forest fires, 3 still alarms, making a total of 113 calls.
I regret the fact that I have overdrawn my appropriation, the reason for which is, that I was compelled to expend more on the alarm system than was expected, and to extend the new wiring, not only from House No. 1 to Mansfield Corner, but also to the school house. There has also been some unusually large bills for repairs for the upkeep of the apparatus. However I am grateful to know that we now have a good
39
new fire alarm line through the main section of the town. It is my desire to build up the alarm system to a dependable point of efficiency. In this I hope for the good will and support of all our citizens, for with- out such a system the department cannot render its best service.
Major repairs have just been completed on the White Truck for which I am asking for a special appropriation. I also desire to place a box somewhere on Essex street, and one on Highland Ave., as they are much needed in these sections.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM W. MOXHAM, Chief.
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
In connection with the conduct of the Centre Library for the past two years our READING COMMITTEE has been Miss Mabel Emery, Miss Katherine Hayward and Miss Gertrude Emery, to whom the Board is much indebted for valued and appreciated suggestions in the selec- tions of worth while books for our Library. Also to others whose valued suggestions have been received with gratitude, among whom are Mrs. Franklin W. Freeman, Mrs. Arthur W. Leavitt, Mr. Leonard Joll, Mr. Leon Pearson, Mr. Tornberg, Mr. John W. Whittier, Supervisor of Schools, The Parent Teacher Association, and those others who may have withheld their names when submitting constructive suggestions or criticisms in connection with valued books for our Library. Due to the diligence of our Librarian, Miss Elizabeth Green, many worth while books have, during the past year, been rebound (renewed) and again set into circulation. Much still remains to be done along these lines. Also the Centre Library needs a cellar and foundation with a heater in cellar. The building is the nucleus of an attractive and efficient library.
W. I. OLMSTED, Secretary.
REPORT OF MAIN LIBRARY, 1928
Number of book patrons
236
Number of books loaned
5469
Number of magazine patrons
26
Number of magazines loaned
139
Books bought by town
104
Magazines subscribed for
7
Received in fines
$22.90
Gifts received from State
5 books
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Heath
38 books
Bahai Library Committee, Washington, D. C.
2 books
Centre Club
4 books
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Miss Katherine Haywood Dr. and Mrs. Haywood
5 books
5 books
Magazines from:
Parent-Teacher Association
Mrs. J. S. Bonney
Mrs. F. W. Freeman Mrs. Chas. Tyacke
Mr. C. O. Blood
Dr. and Mrs. Haywood
Mr. W. I. Olmsted
State certificates given school children for reading: 112 five book certificates.
35 honorary certificates or a 20 book certificate.
Two sets of pictures have been loaned us by the Woman's Educa-
tional Association of Mass. Each set was on exhibition 4 weeks.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH W. GREEN,
Librarian.
REPORT OF BRANCH LIBRARY, 1928
Miss Jones of the State Division of Public Libraries made two visits to the South Branch in the fall, and made a most thorough examination of all the books. As a result many books were rebound, a number replaced and some discarded. The new books which were purchased were according to her suggestions. Miss Jones found the supply of reference books inadequate, but because of other needs, and because of the heavy cost of reference books, no new ones were pur- chased. She made the point that because the library is open only one day a week it is practically useless to the school children for reference work.
Much could be done to make the Library more attractive and serv- iceable to the community. All books should be better advertised through a wider use of posters, bulletins, and display racks. To this end sufficient funds should be provided.
The South Branch is indebted to several friends for gifts as listed in another report.
It was necessary to make rather extensive repairs during the year. Due to lack of proper foundations and drainage the sills and floor tim- bers as well as the lower siding were badly rotted. These faults have been corrected and the building is now in good condition. In addition the building was given two good coats of paint and is much improved in appearance. In order to insure the permanency of the work done
41
it will be necessary to have the building set on a stone or concrete block underpinning.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. CORNET,
Library Trustee.
Number of book patrons
313
Number of books loaned
5,888
Number of magazine patrons
148
Number of magazines loaned
497
Books bought by Town 147, 2 returned .
Magazines subscribed for
9.
Received in fines
$37.10
Received from books and magazines
2.40
Total
$39.50
Received in gifts:
Mrs. Oscar Swain
1 book
Mr. Irving B. Newbegin
6 books
Mr. and Mrs. J. Caunt
17 books
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hoffman
30 books
Mr. George Cornet
3 books
Miss Gertrude Dewing
4 books
Mr. John Richardson Boston (Life of Hoover)
1 book
62 books
Respectfully submitted,
GERTRUDE A. CHIPMAN, Branch Librarian.
42 .
Annual Report
OF THE
School Committee
AND
Superintendent of Schools
Town of Lynnfield
Massachusetts
1
Year Ending December 31, 1928
SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1928
Louis B. Tuck, Chairman
Martha D. Mansfield, Secretary
Clarence A. Studley
Term expires 1929
. Term expires 1930 Term expires 1931
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1928
It is generally considered that education is a fundamental of good government. In a democracy, where all the power is derived from the people, through the means of universal suffrage, the nature of the gov- ernment, even its perpetuity, is dependent upon the qualifications which the electorate possesses for exercising the function of voting, and for supporting the institutions of the social order resulting therefrom. These qualifications are determined by various agencies, but of them all, the one which the State makes compulsory upon all its Youth, is Edu- cation.
Compulsory education is the means by which the State seeks to make of the boys and girls of today, the intelligent and sound-voting citizenry of tomorrow. This being an accepted fact, it follows that educational undertakings must be so organized, and carried on in such a manner and to such an extent as to produce the desired results.
What is expected of education today? The development of char- acter and civic responsibility, health, knowledge, thrift, ability and willingness to do useful work or to make worthy use of leisure. This is definitely laid upon the schools of today, and is the goal at which we aim in the interest alike of the individual and of society.
The schoolhouse, with a seat for every pupil along with a few books, is not sufficient for the needs of the times. More varied undertakings demand more varied provisions. Assembly rooms, varied laboratories and shops, especially equipped commercial rooms, and music, art, com- munity, clinic, gymnasiums and playgrounds, these are some of the ad- ditional provisions indicated by the present day. It should be borne in mind that the Schools do not create these demands. The state of society, the great undertaking of training children to be supports of organized society, creates them. The schools but respond to the demands to the extent that they are given the means for doing so.
This transition from the simpler to a more complex organization, is of necessity accompanied by requests for things which can only be furnished by appropriations of larger sums of money. Thus it happens that "the schools are always asking for more money."
Our schools are organized to meet the needs of the day.
A yearly physical examination of the pupils has been our custom. This examination is required by law. Last year we had a special exam- ination to discover any defects likely to interfere with school work, and to furnish information by means of which the health of pupils may be safeguarded and improved. Our contagious disease regulations were promulgated, and copies distributed to the pupils in each school.
Your School Committee had been cognizant of the fact that the accommodations of the Wakefield High School were considerably over- taxed, and on this account had requested the Wakefield School Commit- tee to give us one year's notice when they felt they must reduce the
44
number of pupils they could take care of in the High School. Last September the Wakefield School Committee reluctantly notified us of their inability to accept our pupils graduating next June.
Negotiations were entered into with the Lynn School Department, and they graciously expressed a willingness to accommodate our pupils.
The Educational Department of the Commonwealth, at our request, made a complete survey of the educational requirements of the town, and recommended, if a building program was compulsory, that one structure be erected near the center of the town, and that this building contain both a Junior and Senior High School. This would relieve the congestion in our primary schools, by providing for the seventh and eighth grades in the new building, and would necessitate a change from our present plan of eight years in the primary and four years in the high school to the modern plan of six years in the primary, three years in the Junior and three years in the Senior High School.
The cost of erecting this structure was carefully considered, but thought to be impractical on account of the cost of a building with the facilities for a modern High School. Lynnfield children have always had the privilege of attending a first-class High School, in Wakefield, Peabody or Lynn, and to use such a building as we could afford to build at this time, we felt would be a step backward.
Due to a reconsideration of a building program by the Wakefield School Committee negotiations were again entered into with them. This finally resulted in a re-arrangement of the tuition on a basis fair to both towns, and we certainly appreciate the interest shown by the members of the Wakefield School Committee in the welfare of the Lynnfield children. During these meetings it was clearly demonstrated that their willingness to assist us was only limited by their duty to the tax payers of the town of Wakefield.
For the City of Lynn we shall always have a feeling of gratitude for the neighborly assistance they offered us.
In an attempt to improve its educational facilities, Essex, one of the Towns in our School Union, desired to withdraw, and form a new union with the Town of Manchester. On account of the fact that the Chair- man of your Committee is Chairman of the Union, much of the work attendant upon the dissolution of the old, and the formation of a new Union of the remaining towns, fell upon him. In the re-allotment of the Superintendent's time, Lynnfield was successful in increasing its share.
The maintenance of the public schools is one of the most important enterprises in which any community engages. By reason of its size and the character of the provisions which must be made for its success- ful carrying on, this undertaking is one of the most costly of all public works. It is necessary therefore, that the management of the public schools should at all times have in mind the obligation to make a wise
45
and prudent use of public money in administering the trust confided to it.
In this spirit your Committee conducted twenty-one meetings last year. It has striven to maintain the two schools in Lynnfield, and provide High School facilities in Wakefield with such an economical use of money as is dictated by the resources of our town.
The Chairman appreciates the co-operation given by the other mem- bers of the Committee, and heartily thanks them for the effort they must have made to be present at every meeting, and also to Mr. Whittier, our Superintendent, for his response to the many additional demands made upon him during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, LOUIS B. TUCK, Chairman.
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Appropriation
$35,300.00
Special appropriation painting South School.
400.00
Allowance by finance committee
23.05
Refund on Insurance
28.73
Expenditures
$35,751.78
Expenditures :
School Committee
Salary
$ 25.00
Clerk
100.00
Other expenses
57.33 $ 182.33
Superintendent
Salary
$ 600.00
Clerk
144.50
Office expense, travel
93.08
837.58
Supervisors
610.00
Teachers' Salaries
Ona K. Ridley
$ 1,750.00
Bernice A. Munroe
1,450.00
Laila D. Pollard
1,490.00
Elizabeth Deans
680.00
Emma Williams
410.00
Althea Robinson
1,640.00
Blanche Hallowell
1,440.00
Katherine Higgins
1,500.00
Mildreth Parkhurst
1,140.00
Mrs. H. W. Treamer
80.00
Mrs. Raymond Chadwick
10.00
Mrs. Coffin ..
10.00
Mrs. Lucas.
. 10.00
Mrs. Della Smith
. 28.00
. . $11,638.00
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Janitors
L. F. Southworth $ 291.66
William F. Griffin
1,015.00
Leslie Tenney
. 400.00
Luther Hastings
450.00
2,156.66
Text books and supplies
904.38
Fuel
778.53
Miscellaneous operating expenses
563.90
Repairs
414.40
Health
Dr. C. E. Montague
100.00
Nurse and supplies
403.64
503.64
Transportation
Grammar High
Boston & Maine
750.00
1,750.00
Lynnfield
Community
457.30
2,140.00
Essex Agricultural
39.00
1,207.30
3,929.00
5,136.30
Tuition
10,487.85
Miscellaneous (matrons-census)
359.00
New Equipment
379.18
Insurance
400.03
Painting South School
400.00
$35,751.78
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee,
Dear Madam and Sirs:
I herewith submit my sixth annual report as superintendent of your schools.
For the information of the taxpayers I have devoted the principal part of the report to questions and answers relating to our school system.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
In particular reference to the Lynnfield Schools
What is the population of Lynnfield? 1331 according to census of 1925.
How many children of school age, i. e., between 5 and 16? 297 according to census of 1928.
How many children enrolled in public schools, December 21, 1928? At Lynnfield, grades 1-8, 244 At High School, grades 9-12, 75 tuition pupils.
47
What children does the law compel to attend school?
Those between 7 and 16, but a child of 14 may leave school under certain conditions to go to work, providing he has completed the sixth grade.
At what age may a child enter school?
He must be at least five years of age on April 1st preceding his en- trance in September. Exceptions are made where pupils pass an in- telligence examination in August showing that they have a mental age of five years five months.
ADMINISTRATION
How many members on the school committee?
Three. One member is elected annually.
When does the Committee meet?
Monthly and more often as business demands.
What are the duties of the School Committee?
It has entire charge of the schools. It adopts the budget, deter- mines how it shall be expended, elects teachers, authorizes repairs, con- siders and approves changes in school organization and courses of study, and is the controlling authority on all matters pertaining to the schools. It appoints the superintendent of schools as its executive officer and holds him responsible for carrying out the policies of the committee and for directing and supervising the work and conduct of all persons em- ployed by the committee.
How many persons are regularly employed by the school committee? The following :
Superintendent of Schools 1
Clerk
1
Teachers 8
Supervisors, Music and Drawing.
2
School Nurse
1
School Physician
1
Janitors
.
2
Truant Officers
2
ORGANIZATION
How are our schools organized?
Under the 8-4 plan; i. e., eight years in the elementary schools, and four years, to be enrolled elsewhere, in high school.
Is this the most up-to-date plan?
Not so considered by leading school people.
What is considered the most up-to-date organization?
The 6-3-3 plan, i. e., six years in the elementary grades, three years in the junior high and three years in the senior high.
48
. .
Why is not the junior high plan of organization carried out in Lynn- field?
First, because of lack of school room facilities and second, because of the organization of the Wakefield schools.
Are there many junior high schools in Massachusetts?
There are now 170 junior high schools. The enrollment in junior high schools of Massachusetts in 1928 was 77,824.
What is our plan of promotion?
Promotions are made annually. In a few cases double promotions are made during the year. Approximately 98% of the towns in the state have annual promotions.
The law requires what subjects to be taught in the elementary schools ?
Reading, writing, spelling, English language and grammar, geogra- phy, arithmetic, drawing, history and the constitution of the United States, civics, physiology and hygiene, good-behavior, indoor and outdoor games and athletic exercises.
What other subjects are now taught in the Lynnfield Schools?
Music, Art, Safety Education and Thrift.
What other subjects may be taught?
Such subjects as the school committee considers expedient may be taught in the public schools.
Is there a kindergarten, evening school, continuation school, Amer- icanization or vocation school class maintained as part of the Lynnfield school system?
No. There does not seem to be a demand for the organization of any of the above.
SCHOOL COSTS
Who determines the amount of money to be spent on the Schools?
The people of the town determine this through the annual appro- priation.
What was the school appropriation for 1928?
It was $35,300.
What per cent of the total appropriation of the town is for the schools?
37%.
What did General Control cost per pupil?
In Lynnfield $4.39. In the State $3.62.
What per cent of the school expenditure was for teachers' and supervisors' salaries?
In Lynnfield 34%. In the state 59%. This per cent is low because of the high school pupils attending school out of town.
What is the per pupil cost for teaching?
In Lynnfield $53.33. In the state $67.53.
49
What is the per pupil cost for text-books and supplies? In Lynnfield $3.73. In the state $4.61.
What did operation of the plant cost per pupff?
In Lynnfield $17.63. In the state $10.47.
What was the per pupil cost for elementary education?
In Lynnfield $88.07. In the state $83.64.
What was the total per pupil cost for high school education?
In Lynnfield $199.88. In the state $133.82.
What was the total cost per pupil, both high and elementary, in net average membership?
In Lynnfield $116.65. In the state $114.05.
Note: Answers for questions are based upon expenditures for school year ending June 30, 1928 as given in Annual Report, Department of Education Part II.
REIMBURSEMENTS
Does the State reimburse the town of Lynnfield for any part of its expenditures for maintenance of schools?
Yes, the following reimbursements were made during 1928:
.a. General School Fund Part I, $1,630. This reimbursement is determined by the training, experience and salary of each teacher.
b. Superintendents' salary, $290.02. This reimbursement is de- termined by the portion of salary and travel allowance paid the superintendent.
.
c. High School Transportation, $3,995.13. This reimbursement is determined by several factors, but principally by the fact that not over forty cents per day per high school pupil was paid for transportation.
d. State Wards, $326.88. Reimbursement for schooling State Wards.
What per cent of the annual town appropriation for schools was reimbursed to the town of Lynnfield during 1928?
17.6 per cent.
What measures in a degree how much a town can afford to appro- priate for maintenance of its public schools?
The valuation of the town per pupil.
What is the valuation per pupil in average membership?
In Lynnfield $10,587. In the state $10,245.
What is the rank in valuation per pupil in Lynnfield?
It ranks 80th among 355 cities and towns in the commonwealth.
How does Lynnfield rank in expenditures per pupil from local tax- ation?
It ranks 82nd among the 355 cities and towns in the commonwealth.
50
Doubtless those having read this report will feel that "the schools are a great expense." I agree that the schools are an expense but when one considers what is given in return for the expenditure I cannot agree that the expense is too great.
What do we give every pupil in return for the expenditure made to educate him?
Schooling for about 185 days. Transportation to and from school as necessary in an up-to-date conveyance. Housing in a building well heated, ventilated, lighted (South School excepted) and having satis- factory sanitary conditions. A playground at the Center, sufficiently large to accommodate all pupils at their seasonal games. A playground at the South allowing for exercise but not for games. Free text-books and necessary supplies to carry out an up-to-date program of studies. Special supervisors for music and art. Medical inspection and super- vision of health of all children. Special clinics for those physically or mentally handicapped. An opportunity to pursue a high school course in one of the best of high schools. Instruction, supervision and guidance by a corps of most able teachers under whose care, parents should feel it a privilege to have their children during the most impressionable years of their life.
The above opportunities tend to keep practically all of our children in school until they have completed a high school course, or its equiva- lent, and are fitted to enter one of the higher institutions of learning or enter work. And above all these pupils are fitted as no other gener- ation has been, to assume the responsibilities of citizenship.
A quotation from one of leaders in national affairs-President-elect Herbert Hoover-has the following to say regarding the importance of the school. "But after all, our schools do more than merely transmit knowledge and training; they are America itself in miniature, where in purer air and under wise guidance, a whole life of citizenship is lived ex- perimentally with its social contacts, its recreations, its ethical problems, its political practices, its duties and its rewards. Ideals are developed that shape the whole adult life. Experience is gained that is valuable for all the years of maturity. I would be one of the last people in the world to belittle the importance of the exact knowledge that teachers impart to their pupils-as an engineer I set a high value upon precise information-but knowledge, however exact, is secondary to a trained mind and serves no useful purpose unless it is the servant of an ambi- tious mind, a sound character, and an idealistic spirit. Social values outrank economic values. Economic gains, even scientific gains, are worse than useless if they accrue to a people unfitted by trained char- acter to use and not abuse them."
51
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
A small percentage of failures of promotion throughout the system. Only one change in the teaching force.
Twenty-six of our pupils graduated from the eighth grade.
Retention of privilege to send tuition pupils to Wakefield High. School.
Adoption of following for use,
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