Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960, Part 37

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1949-1960
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 846

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 37

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SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

The addition of the Junior High School Building allowed for a re-organization of our pattern for grade assignments to start the 1953-54 school year in such a way as to provide a more equitable balance in class size throughout the system. While this has aided greatly in holding room units within reasonable bounds, we had, at the close of the year, a total of seven class divisions of 35 or more pupils. Continued attention will have to

be given to the necessary measures to keep class groups of a size acceptable under modern educational standards.

For the 1953-54school year, the Center School houses grades I to IV; the South School grades I to V; and the Junior High School grades VI to IX. It was found necessary to provide ten new teaching positions to adequately provide for staff needs dur- ing the current year. Further staff additions will, of course, be necessary during 1954.

STAFF

We have worked extensively to build a teaching staff com- patible with the fine plant facilities being developed by the com- munity over the past several years. At the present time, 75% of our staff members are holders of the Bachelor's or Master's degree, and the remainder are widely experienced teachers of proven competence. All teachers are being encouraged by the current salary schedule to widen their professional background through a specified minimum of college course work relative to their teach- ing assignments in the community. Every effort will continue to be directed to the attracting and retaining of competent, profes- sional minded personnel. We must have the better than average person if the community's educational needs are to be well met in the years immediately ahead.

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

The greatest single change in the community's educational pattern was undoubtedly the establishment of the Lynnfield Junior High School on a three year basis with the start of the 1953-54 school year. Course programs instituted at this time were care- fully designed to insure that Lynnfield pupils might be able to move smoothly into the curriculum of their choice at Wakefield High School. The current Junior High programs; as will. the building itself, serve as the basis for the ultimate development of the full high school program when the community takes the necessary steps to establish the complete twelve year system in Lynnfield.

With the expanded plant we are able to offer broadened programs in industrial arts, homemaking, music, and physical education to all students. The usual ninth grade academic sub- jects, including Latin and Algebra, are now included in our program offerings for pupils at that level. The pupils now in grade nine will be the first graduating class from the Junior High School in June of 1954. Elementary school graduation was omitted in 1953 because of the retention of our own freshmen for the first time.

The present building facilities and staff are leading towards a better educational program for pupils of Junior High age in our schools. High standards of achievement are expected, and I feel that excellent progress is being made in this direction at the present time.

We would be amiss in any review of the year if we failed to remember the many activities in which the able and loyal citi- zens of the Town assisted in school related problems during 1953. There were numerous incidents of individual and group contribu- tions which effectively supplemented the work of the more for- mally organized committees. Again, the Parent Teachers Associ- ations demonstrated their sincere desire to afford us their support and aid in any areas where we could identify our needs. It is in the spirit of these many individuals working together with mutual respect and helpfulness that there lies the greatest hope for the continuance of educational opportunity of high standard in the

community. It is impossible to list by name all who assisted us in working for the children of Lynnfield during the year. We can, however, assure all such individuals that their efforts are appreciated, and should like to express our thanks to all who aided us in our service to the children of Lynnfield.

South Schoo!

Warren F. Kiernan, Principal

Miss Janet Bishop

Miss Eloise Kenney

George Caswell

Mrs. Retta Lovejoy

Mrs. Alyce Gallagher

Mrs. Bernice Munroe

Mrs. Gladys Goodwin

Mrs. Sue Slighter

Supervisors

Art: J. Richard Penney Music: Miss Maude Thomas

School Doctor: Thomas B. White, M. D. School Nurse: Mrs. Evelyn Mason

Cafeteria

Mrs. Marion Delamater, Supervisor

Mrs. Mildred Deaton

Mrs. Alicia Olsson

Mrs. Dorothy Durgin

Mrs. Jennie Robinson

Mrs. Alva Howe

Mrs. Grace Smith

Mrs. Mabel Johnson

Mrs. Florence Suckley

Mrs. Mabel Newhall

Center School

Donald A. Fisher, Principal

Mrs. Edythe Baxter Mrs. Pauline Chadwell

Mrs. Katherine Higgins Mrs. Mildreth Rourke

Mrs. Marjorie Coon

Mrs. Nancy Santuesanio

Mrs. Leora Donovan

Mrs. Frances Shumway

Mrs. Marjorie Hadsall

Mrs. Elizabeth Gerry

Mrs. Margaret Hunt

Report of SCHOOL COMMITTEE

TO THE CITIZENS OF LYNNFIELD:

Because of Lynnfield's continuing rapid growth, your School Committee has spent considerable time in planning for the future. The Wakefield School Committee has notified us officially that it will accept our high school pupils until either 1957 or 1958. Classes that are attending at such time will continue until graduation, but new classes will not be admitted. The Wakefield Committee points out further that such dates are conditional. Should population pressure be greater than anticipated, at the present time, they reserve the right to ask for earlier termination.

In considering a terminal date most favorable to Lynnfield, we feel that we should plan to keep our tenth grade, and begin our own high school program in September, 1957, rather than to plan it in 1958. Such thinking is based on several factors, chief among which are the following:

1. Wakefield may be unable to accommodate us in 1957. We should plan on this now, rather than waiting until later to find out definitely.

2. The tenth grade in 1957 (the present sixth, numbering 121 now) is the first of the large grades moving through our schools. With grades approaching this size, we feel that a high school is workable.

3. Wewill have the building facilities available for making a start in 1957. This assumes that the recommendations of the Future School Plant Planning Committee are fol- lowed.

4. Itwill probably be more economical to begin our own high school than to pay the tuition. The 1953 tuition rate is $306 per child.

Respectfully submitted, Walter J. Vorse Superintendent of Schools

Staff - 1953

Walter J. Vorse, Superintendent

Junior High School Ralph H. Hudson, Principal

Nicholas Albondy

Robert Hagglund Mrs. Gloria Kaminski

Stuart Anderson

Mrs. Faustina Barrows

Miss Joan Kerrigan

Miss Janet Clinton

John MacDonald

Robert Cox

Harold Pinansky

Thomas Curran

Mrs. Lena Waite

Mrs. Mildred Fitts

Custodial

John Janerico George Carder

Fred E. Malonson

Thomas N. Moore

Secretarial

Mrs. Mildred Hunt

We have had much valuable help from citizens committees in working on the problems for the future.

THE FUTURE SCHOOL PLANT PLANNING COMMITTEE - Carl Van F. Bennekom, Chairman, whose report appears else- where in this Town Report, recommends in part, that:

1. A twleve-room elementary school be completed for oc- cupancy by September, 1956.

2. A high school wing be added to the Junior High School building for use by September, 1958.

The School Committee concurs in both recommendations, hav- ing arrived at the same conclusions independently. We urge the voters to support the necessary steps to reach these objectives.

THE SCHOOL SITE COMMITTEE - George L. Seavey, Chairman - made a preliminary report to the town in June, 1953. It also has a report elsewhere in this Town Report. It is now working to secure suitable school sites. If we are to have hous- ing in time, at least one site must be provided immediately. We urge the citizens to take an active interest in the recommenda- tions of this group.

THE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE - Howard S. Ar- merding, Chairman - has built for the Town an excellent Junior High School building, with good equipment. We are indeed in- debted to the seven men who have worked for nearly three years on this outstanding project.

We have also had the help of a group of citizens in a study of the school transportation problem. Through the work of this group, of which Mrs. Charles A. Worthen, Jr., was the chair- man, we have taken steps to ask for certain sidewalk construc- tion. We are planning further study of this problem.

In its thinking and action on salaries, the School Committee has tried to keep Lynnfield in a competitive position for teachers. It is necessary to attract good teachers with an adequate salary

schedule. We realize that it is possible to get out of reason in this direction also. We feel that we have kept to the middle ground.

We have begun a program of regular maintenance of the school buildings. This work should be continued. In addition, some work beyond maintenance should be done in the wooden section of the Center School to make classrooms more usable and livable. We hope also to develop a badly needed play area at the South School.

Use of School Facilities: School Committee policy is intended to encourage the reasonable use of the facilities of the school buildings by groups of Lynnfield people, where and when such use does not work to the detriment of school operation. It is necessary to make charges for such use, except for children's groups, or for groups which are school connected. The charges are set at a level that will cover the major portion of the cost of required custodial service, light, and heat.

The School Committee has received good support from the Parent Teacher Associations for which it thanks them. Their rep- resentatives have attended nearly all of the School Committee meetings as observers.

The regular meetings of the School Committee are held on the first and third Mondays of each month at the Junior High School at eight o'clock. The meetings are open. Interested citizens are invited to attend.

LYNNFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Willis P. Burbank Robert W. Davis Orodon S. Hobbs Bessie L. Sinish Charles W. Kessler, Chairman

Report of SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE

TO THE CITIZENS OF LYNNFIELD:

FOREWORD

Two reports of progress have previously been submitted to the residents of the Town by this Committee. The first, distributed in pamphlet form in November 1951, covered the layout, cost and method of financing the proposed building together with the Committee's recommendations. The second report was published in the Annual Town Report for 1952, and concerned itself mainly with the progress of the construction work, then at the half-way mark.

Now that the building is completed and has been in opera- tion for several months, it is well to briefly review the project which has been the largest and most costly undertaking thus far in Lynnfield, and one that has required the constant attention of this Committee for two and one-half years.

HISTORICAL

Hardly had the new South School been placed in service when the need for additional facilities again became apparent. The

School Survey Committee, which made a thorough study of future school needs early in 1951, recommended immediate construc- tion of a Junior High School, with provision for a future Senior High School wing. A special Town Meeting was held on June 25, 1951 to consider the matter, and resulted in authorizing the Board of Selectmen to appoint a School Building Committee of seven members.

The newly appointed committee held its first meeting on July 15, 1951, elected its Chairman and Secretary, and proceeded to the business of planning a new Junior High School. Messrs. How- ard L. Rich and Herman F. Tucker were appointed Architects for the project, and commenced work on the preliminary plans forth- with. Throughout the Fall of 1951, work of planning the facili- ties and the making of estimates of cost went on at a rapid pace, and came to a climax with submission of the Committee's recom- mendations at a Special Town Meeting held on November 26, 1951. The sum of $1, 100, 000 was appropriated by a vote of 240 to 5 at this Town Meeting, and construction of the new building was assured.

The early months of 1952 were occupied with the production of working drawings, and finally, on May 6, 1952, following the usual bidding procedure, a contract for construction of the build- ing was signed with the low bidder, Grande & Son, Inc. of Ev- erett, Mass. Work on clearing the site started immediately, and by mid-summer the foundation work was progressing rapidly. Brick and structural work followed, and, by the end of the year 1952, the shell of the building was substantially complete.

During the year just past, the Contractor's efforts have been occupied with the many details involved in completing the build- ing for occupancy. The Architect has been as busily engaged in supervision, and the Committee has found it a major task to ar- range for the purchase of the many items of equipment and fur- nishings necessary in a school plant of this type.

September 9, 1953 marked the beginning of actual School Department use, although the building was not complete in all details at that time. A public inspection and dedication cere- monies were held in the latter part of September, and since that time the new building has assumed the useful place for which it was planned in the Community. Approval of final payments to the General Contractor and to the Architect was given by the Committee on December 29, 1953.

CHANGES IN CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Comparison of the original plans upon which the request for construction funds was based, with the finished building, dis- closes a few modifications. Major changes in the locations of the Cafeteria, Shop, and Shower Rooms were made for the pur- poses of effecting substantial economy without destroying the proper functioning of these units. Change in the basic design from the use of a structural steel frame to one composed of rein- forced concrete columns, beams and slabs was dictated by the necessity for steel conservation. It will be remembered that steel was a strictly allocated commodity at the time.

Other minor changes were made from time to time during the progress of construction. Careful initial planning on the part of the Architect and his consultants kept necessary changes at a minimum. Desirable changes were made only after thorough study and discussion. Additions to the original signed general contract of $807, 664 amounted to $16, 918, an increase of 2. 1%.

PRESENT FACILITIES AND FUTURE EXPANSION

The building, as presently constructed and equipped, is de- signed to accommodate a Junior High School of 430 students. The probability of expanding this plant into an ultimate Junior- Senior High School with a capacity of 750 to 800 students has been considered by the Committee to the extent that a senior size gymnasium, an auditorium seating 650 persons, and ample cafeterial facilities, have been provided. There is ample oil storage, andspace for a third heating boiler. Other mechanical and electrical equipment units have been sized to care for the ul- timate load.

To make the present facilities available as a Junior-Senior High School, the construction of a two-story wing located to the West of the existing structure, and consisting of classrooms, laboratories and an administrative suite, is visualized.

EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

Unlike the South School, which was equipped at negligible

cost, the present building required entirely new furnishings, many of them of a more costly nature. Much time and effort has been expended on this phase of the project. Bids were invited and received on all major items of equipment. Decisions were based on quality for price, and were the result of careful investigation and, in many cases, inspection of samples.

It has been our consistent belief that to purchase inferior equipment at a temporary saving would result in higher main- tenance costs in the future, and thus do a dis-service to the Town.

RECORDS AND STATE ASSISTANCE

The Secretary of the Committee has kept complete records of the minutes of all meetings, of which there have been ninety- two. An operating budget was established early in the project, and was revised at frequent intervals. This assured financial control, and proved to be very valuable in the making of impor- tant decisions.

The Committee has been in close touch with the Massachu- setts School Building Assistance Commission throughout the course of the project, and all requirements have been satisfied to date. Copies of all vouchers and documents have been kept, and speedy certification is expected upon filing of this material.

It is anticipated that State reimbursement of 38% will be ob- tained on all disbursements except Administrative expense, pay- able in twenty yearly payments.

FUNDS AND EXPENDITURES

The funds provided for use of the Committee are as follows :-

Fund for Committee expenses appropriated 6/25/51 $10,000

Construction and Furnishings Fund appropriated

11/26/51 $1, 095,000

Fund for Certification of Notes appropriated

3/17/52 $1,095

$1, 106, 095

Disbursement of funds is as follows:

Building Includes payments under general contract, steel purchased by Committee, and other associated construction expense.

$867,139

Engineering and Supervision Includes Architects' and Consultants' fees, Clerk of Works' salary, and miscellaneous engineering services.

$61, 944

Equipment and Furnishings $100,278

$14,259

Site Development

Includes grading of future athletic field, outside lighting installation, and construction of fences.

$2,397

Insurance Fire and liability insurance carried during con- struction period.

201

Advertising Cost of advertising for bids.

Administrative Expense Includes $2, 774 for cost of bond issue.

$4,094

Unexpended Balance

$55,783

TOTAL $1, 106,095

The above statement is substantially correct. Since, at the time of writing this report, all commitments have not been finally discharged, it is expected that minor variations will occur in the final accounting.

CONCLUSION

The members of your School Building Committee have sought

to bring to Lynnfield a Junior High School that would be worthy of the Community. We have tried to extract maximum value from the tax dollar. In a period of rising costs, it has not been an easy assignment. It is our hope that the building will prove its value in many years of continued service.

We express our sincere thanks to all who have cooperated in making this project a success.

Respectfully submitted,

Colby Burbank, Jr. Robert W. Davis Franklin R. D'Entremont Richard L. Hobbs Samuel R. Puffer Howard S. Armerding, Chairman Walter H. Kuestenmacher, Secretary

-2

OUR FIRST BOOK -- GRADE I

RECEIPTS - Total $744,194.35 (excluding borrowing)

Local taxes 60.3%

Miscellaneous 3.4%

School Receipts 2.6%

Trust and Investment 5.2%

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax 7.5%

Federal Government 4.2%

State Government 16.8%

The shaded portion, amounting to 18.3% of all receipts, represents grants for specified uses in connection with education, charities, high- ways, etc.

EXPENDITURES - Total $1,317,345.16

Charities 4.5%

Highways 7.4%

Health and Sanitation 1. 1%

Protection of Persons and Property 5.5%

General Government 2.7%

Agency Trust and Investment 4.9%

Debt Retirement and Interest 8.2%

Education 64.2% Including school construction

Miscellaneous 1.5%

Report of the FUTURE SCHOOL SITE COMMITTEE

TO THE CITIZENS OF LYNNFIELD:

AUTHORIZATION AND HISTORY

This committee, authorized by articles #5 and *6 of the special Town Meeting of June 1, 1953, was appointed by letter from the Board of selectmen dated June 16, 1953. Due to vacation period, illness and pending question of rezoning, the committee was re- tarded somewhat. However, up to the writing of this report, we have held 11 meetings. The chairman has attended 2 other cor- relating meetings.

WORK DONE

(A) The committee has examined 16 parcels of land either by actual field survey or by aerial photographs scaled 400 feet to the inch furnished by one of our committeemen. Parcels have been listed as to assessed valuation, acreage and whether buildings exist in the properties. Members of the committee have made ground condition surveys, grade surveys and discussed most likely areas for problems of power supplies, drainage, safety, transpor- tation, population density, play areas and State school building assistance commission approval.

(B) We have tried to correlate our work with the State, the school committee, the future school plant planning committee, the planning board, the master plan study, the board of select- men, the town counsel and the report of the old future school site committee.

1. Assessed valuations,

2. Obtaining list of acknowledged appraisers (registered if possible),

3. Names of firms for boring tests-unit cost of borings,

4. Data on previous borings, if any,

5. Discussions with owners,

6. Publicity releases

GENERAL

We feel as previous site committee that two sites should be taken at this time. We are impelled by several reasons to this conclusion.

Most important are:

(a) Pressing need for two more elementary schools as brought out at meeting with school committee, planning board and future school plant planning committee, 11/2/53,

(b) The way the Town is growing and where it is growing,

(d) Ultimate need as seen in Master Plan Study by Benjamin Assoc. under new zoning laws,

(e) The present availability and cost consideration.

We realize that the Town may have to take this land by eminent domain; also that our town has not, up to now, entered

into this sort of transaction (according to Town Counsel). This requires an appraisal by competent people to protect the Town in court. We have learned that various factors enter into cost factor, such as; how much has been done to land in question ? Sites (good ones) are already at a premium where we want them. Developments are approved or started. There seem to be no more benefactors like the Perrys and the Bloods in Lynnfield.

Even though a new zoning law was passed by the Town, it is the consensus of opinion as noted above that we do need a new elementary school ready for the fall of 1956. Our new high school wing must be ready by the fall of 1958, and after 1960, we will need another elementary school. We think now is the best time to get two sites, but also have our eye on the rising tax rate, and wish to cushion sudden economic blows. An option on one site might be taken.

For a twelve room school, which can later be made into 18 rooms, we need an adequate site. From our experience of talk- ing with out appraisers, counsel and at least one owner, we find that for good sites we can expect to pay a reasonable price per acre for the necessary acreage, to be approved by State assistance commission. It appears that we must have 9 acres minimum ac- cording to rule of thumb normally used for a 12 room elementary school. More than ten acres is favorable regarded by State com- mission because of expansion and play areas. Our committee has used 10 acres as the rule. We expect to be able to get more than 10 acres.

CONCLUSION

Of the 16 sites, we expect to pick two; located, very roughly, as the other site committee recommended. They must be surveyed accurately, some borings or test holes made when weather per- mits, an appraisal in writing made, and State school assistance commission approval obtained. Two articles must be entered in the next warrant; one to take the land by eminent domain for general town purposes described accurately by survey, and the second to appropriate money to buy, based on approved appraisal. If owner objects, court action can be expected.

Up to now we have spent nomoney, but we will need to have two surveys made and borings. Due to three fine citizens of Lynnfield, our appraisals are being made free of charge. This report, as part of the annual Town Report, saves cost of separate report.

COMMITTEE

Ivar C. Akerblom, Sec. Paul F. Howard George L. Seavey, Ch. Carl A. Schmalfuss Arthur S. Tewksbury, Jr.

Authorized June 1, 1953, Special Town Meeting Articles 5&6 of Warrant.

Appointed by Selectmen, June 16, 1953

REPORT OF REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANNING COMMITTEE

TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:

Gentlemen:

The Regional School District Planning Committee, authorized by Article 39, of the March 10, 1952 town meeting, has completed its investigation of the possibility of building a Regional High School with the towns of North Reading and Middleton.

The Regional School District Planning Committees from the three towns met on October 15, 1952 and, by the election of F. R. D'Entremont as chairman and C. W. Kessler as secretary, formed a Regional School District Planning Board. The Planning Board held additional meetings on January 7 and January 28, 1953.

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Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960, Part 37

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.) Publication date: 1949-1960 Publisher: The Town Number of Pages: 846

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1949-1960
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 846