USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969 > Part 63
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
Mrs. Minna Senger, who had served as a Board Member for nearly six years, resigned in December as she moved to the Cape. Mr. Thomas Cann, who had previously served on the Board for several years, was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Mrs. Pearl Gilmore, who heads up the department, is in her second year and has carried on without an assistant, which we formerly had.
Our total number of cases in all categories has held very close over the past few years. Medical Assistance for the Aged continues to be the fastest growing category and our greatest expense. Hospital and nursing home costs continue to increase and account for a large percentage of our ex- penses. With the elimination of the settlement law on January 1, 1964, we anticipated somewhat of an increase in expenses in all categories but we are glad to report no noticeable change has taken place. Federal and State reimbursements are received at regular intervals. State reimbursements of 20% of the total spent on General Relief are now being received.
Following is a summary of receipts and expenditures:
AID
RECEIPTS
Town Appropriation
Federal Balances 1/1/64
Federal Receipts 1964
$ 22,000.00 43,714.04 30,296.93 $ 96,010.97
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EXPENDITURES
Town Account Federal Accounts
20,307.97 38,208.72
58,516.69
* To E & D - $1,692.03
To Federal Accounts - $35,802.25
ADMINISTRATION AND EXPENSE
RECEIPTS
Town Appropriation
4,000.00
Federal Balances 1/1/64
5,595.78
Federal Receipts 1964
3,792.05
13,387.83
EXPENDITURES
Town Account
4,000.00
Federal Accounts
2,108.81
6,108.81
Balance 12/31/64
7,279.02
To Federal Accounts (4) $7,279.02
SUMMARY
Board Salaries
Total Aid and Administration
550.00 64,625.50
65,175.50
Federal Receipts
34,088.98
State Receipts
17,146.30
Other Towns
1,333.28
52,568.56
NET COST TO TOWN -
12,606.94
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS CANN RUTH HERSEY RALPH H. COLEMEN, Chairman Board of Public Welfare
Balance 12/31/64
37,494.28*
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REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMISSION
Board of Selectmen Norwell, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Recreation Commission held its reorganization meeting with newly appointed members May 11, 1964. Roland Pinault, Robert MacWilliams, and Ruth Marsh had been appointed to fill the vacancies caused by the resignation of John Winske, James Robertson and Alan Hakanson.
The Commission held numerous meetings of which two were with the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board, concerning areas for swimming and available land for recreational use. Each of the Boards is sympathetic with the other and recognizes the forementioned problem, but the cost it involves always results in the final analysis.
Many requests had been received regarding the possibility of a Summer Playground Program. The Commission decided to send out questionnaires to the parents of school children to find out how much interest there was, and if it warranted further consideration by the Commission. This was done through the full cooperation of the school principals, namely, Robert H. Jackman of the High School, William Penn of the Junior High School, and William W. Hays of both Elementary Schools. The results of this sur- vey, according to the returns received, were as follows:
Questionnaires sent out 1500
Questionnaires returned 480
Largest age group interest 6-13 years 148
Number of girls in interest group
Number of boys in interest group
197
The Commission felt this response warranted a move toward some kind of a program. So, the Commission met with the School Committee to go over the proposed program and obtain permission to use the outdoor fa- cilities of the Junior High School and use of the Art Room for handicrafts. A general feeling of approval was given and we were to return with a definite plan, if funds were available for final approval.
The next step was to meet with the Advisory Board to brief them on the plan and request funds to operate the program. It did not take long to find out there were no funds. We were then advised to further develop the pro- gram presented, enlarge upon the proposed program, and place our request in the Annual Town Budget in March of 1965.
This has been done and we plan to operate the program in three areas.
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The Grace Farrar Cole School is designated for the west end of town, as there was response for 110 children of the younger group in that area; the Ella F. Osborn School, as 145 responded at this area; and 90 responded at the upper age level, to be held at the Junior High School.
Since preparing this report we have learned of the formation of the North River Swimming and Tennis Club. We want the townspeople to know that this is a private club and not the answer to the Town of Norwell's recreational facility and program problem.
Respectfully submitted, Recreation Commission
ROLAND PINAULT, Chairman RUTH M. MARSH, Secretary JAMES T. KING MARY OSBORN KNAPP ROBERT G. MacWILLIAMS
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Norwell:
The School Department continues to grow in terms of the number of pupils, staff members and a curriculum that is both expanding and changing to meet the needs of the times. It is, therefore, necessary that the School Committee do its utmost to foresee future needs of the Department and plan accordingly, as well as to attend to the day-to-day problems that occur as a result of the continual change.
It is the intent of this report to briefly outline this present condition of change, the activities of the School Committee during the past year to cope with it, the future problems and changes that are presently foreseen, and the plans to meet this challenge. An important common factor to the many problem areas is the necessity for a total cost of operation, or budget, that is within the financial capabilities of the Town of Norwell. It should be emphasized, however, that no town or city can afford to fall behind in its most important task of preparing its children for the future -- if there is to be a future for that town or city.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Following the March, 1964, Town Election, the School Committee organized as follows:
Robert N. Maglathlin, Chairman Fletcher S. Boig, Vice Chairman J. Peter Hall, Clerk Betty Cook, Member Margaret E. C. Reeser, Member
The regular committee meetings were changed from the first and third Wednesdays of each month to the first, second and third Mondays of each month.
Mrs. Cook resigned from the committee on August 31 as a result of a change of residence away from Norwell. The remaining members of the committee felt a great loss at this move, since Mrs. Cook had contributed in a major way to the success of the committee in meeting our growth problems.
Mr. George B. Gregory was appointed at a joint meeting of the Selectmen and School Committee to fill the vacancy left by Mrs. Cook.
Mrs. Reeser was appointed by the committee to serve on the Elementary School Site Committee and on the committee known as "Friends of the Leonard Library." Mr. Hall was appointed to serve on the Athletic Field
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Site Committee, and Mr. Boig was appointed to serve on a committee formed by' the Norwell Council for Public Schools to study merit teachers' salary systems.
Mrs. Cook, Mr. Boig, and Mr. Maglathlin were chosen by the committee to act as voting members of the joint committee of Union No. 13, with Mr. Hall as an alternate. Following Mrs. Cook's resignation, Mr. Hall was chosen as a regular voting member of this joint committee.
COMMITTEE OPERATION
All meetings of the committee are held in the School Department Offices in the Junior High School and are on an "open meeting" basis except for those portions of meetings which deal with personnel matters of individual concern.
Bids for materials, supplies and services involving expenditures of three hundred dollars ($300) or more are advertised. All bids received are sealed and are opened publicly at regular meetings.
SCHOOL POPULATION GROWTH
Although earlier estimates of expected enrollments have proven sur- prisingly accurate, we are currently experiencing a significant increase over the predictions that were made for the present time. For example: Our total pupil population for all schools is approaching 1,700, whereas an estimate of 1,629 pupils was made in 1961 and a revised estimate of 1,663 pupils was made in 1963. This is an increase of approximately 140 pupils over the number for December 1, 1963, or a nine per cent (9%) increase.
An especially large percentage increase occurred at the fifth and sixth grade levels, necessitating the addition of a fifth grade classroom and teacher that had not previously been planned. Obviously, the construction of new homes in Norwell accelerates our school growth.
The new addition to the Cole School, which includes twelve (12) regular classrooms, a special classroom, library and gymnasium, makes this an excellent facility and alleviates the need for elementary classrooms for the present and immediate future. However, more space for elementary pupils will soon be needed!
STAFF CHANGES
The resignation of Mr. William W. Hays, Principal of both elementary schools, was regretfully received in April. Messrs. John Croley and Walter Kaetzer of the teaching staff were named to serve temporarily as adminis- trative heads of the two schools until the end of the school year. After a lengthy process of interviewing nearly forty (40) candidates for the princi- palship of the two schools, Messrs. Croley and Kaetzer were elected by the
43
committee to serve as principals of the Cole School and Norwell Elementary School (subsequently renamed as the Ella Osborn School) respectively.
Mr. David Stephansky was named as the Social Studies Department Head. Mrs. Catherine Martin was named as the Director of Adult Education.
The following persons were added to the teaching staff:
Grade
School
Doreen Banner
2
Cole
Mary Elizabeth Billet
2
Cole
Cynthia Bompey
1
Cole
Marjorie Brigham
4
Cole
Alfred Capozzi
English
High
Dominic DiMattia
Guidance
Jr. High
Dorna Eddy *
5
Cole
Janet Freeman
3
Cole
Jane Fillon
5
Cole
Rose Glatky
2
Cole
Helene Gredler
3
Cole
Joan Katz
5
Cole
Carolyn Lenfesty
4
Osborn
Cynthia Luneburg
2
Jr. High
Patricia MacDonald
Home Ec.
Jr. High
Carol Morrison
2 Math.
Cole
H. Leslie Mumford, Jr.
High
Joseph Noble
Math.
Jr. High
Carole Reinert
3
Osborn
Martha Schwartzman
5
Osborn
Constance Shepherd
1
Cole
Cinda Tattrie
6
Cole
* Long-term substitute
Mr. Albert Orlando, who was teaching music part time in Norwell, was put on a full-time basis.
The following resignations were received:
Mary Louise Borges
Charles Hurd
Alice Lovejoy
Cleo B. Neary
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Delleyne E. Osborne
Nancy A. Peters Jeanne Sevigny Leonore F. Taylor
Carolyn Wexler
We were all saddened by the death of Mrs. Helen Dimock, one of our more experienced and inspired teachers.
The following teachers were placed on tenure:
Gertrude Duncan
Barbara Fishwick
David Jones
Albert Orlando
Mary Plemmons Stanley Rice
Our High School Principal, Mr. Robert Jackman, was also placed on tenure.
New non-teaching staff members include:
Ernestine Bustard, Secretary, Junior High School
Clifton Leake, Custodian, Cole School
Everett Magoun, Custodian, Junior High and Cole
Non-teaching staff resignations include:
Earl Raymond, Secretary, Junior High School
CURRICULUM
Areas where substantial revision and improvement in curricula were effected include Social Studies and Music. The High School Program for Social Studies is being substantially revamped to effect greater continuity and to reduce repetition as well as to offer a more inclusive curriculum. The added time of Mr. Orlando in the Music Department is being devoted to more intensive band instruction.
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The changeover to Modern Mathematics teaching has now reached the point where each grade is receiving it to some degree.
The addition to the Cole School includes an excellent library. Also, a library has been established in the kindergarten room of the Osborn School and the Junior High School library has been moved to Room 6 and expanded. These changes indicate in a material way the revolution taking place in our schools with regard to the usage of libraries and their close relationship to all classwork.
The Curriculum Committee has been especially active of late and is working toward increased continuity of curricula from Grade 1 through Grade 12.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY
The committee has made some additional progress toward completion of its comprehensive written policy. The first draft was completed this Summer. It will be reviewed once more by the committee before final acceptance.
As an interim measure, the committee did vote to adopt one policy item to the effect that salary increments will be withheld for teachers who do not perform up to standards. Such action will be taken upon recommendation of the Associate Superintendent, a principal, or the School Committee. Al- though this specific policy has been considered to be in effect in the past, its official adoption should dispel any misunderstandings should its use become necessary.
1964 BUDGET
This is the first year for some time that the School Department has operated under a single lump-sum budget. This budget was established at the Annual Town Meeting in March on the basis of a $12,000 reduction from the total cost estimated on a segregated basis. At this time, it appears that this experiment has been quite successful.
1965 BUDGET
The committee has held many long meetings in the process of arriving at an operating budget for the fiscal year 1965. The final lump-sum amount is $845,000, which has been approved by the Advisory Board.
This amount represents an increase of approximately $97,000, or 13%, over the effective budget for 1964 (after an allowance for extra salary ex- penses in 1964 of approximately $21,000 and provision for Federal funds of approximately $16,000 that were allocated to the 1964 operating account). This increase is due primarily to the increased pupil population (requiring more classroom teachers, books, supplies, etc.), a full year of operation of the Cole School addition, and teachers' salary increases.
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The committee has voted to raise the salary schedule for teachers by $200 over the schedule for 1964. This change brings our minimum (starting) teacher salary to $5,000 per year, which is the new State minimum. Further, the basic formula for step increases (in accordance with degrees held, years of experience, and tenure) has been kept intact by this action.
Other 1965 budget factors include: the addition of a half-time teacher and half-time Assistant Principal at the High School, an added Art Teacher, an additional day per week of Physical Education at the elementary schools by Mrs. Scheller, and an additional half-time Music teacher. Two other new teaching positions were recommended by the Associate Superintendent, but not voted by the committee. These were a developmental reading teacher for the Junior High School and a foreign language teacher for the elementary schools.
In the couse of budget discussions the question of economic advisability of the football program was raised. This question is under study and will be discussed at an open forum in January, 1965. However, at the present time, football remains a part of the athletic program and provision for its continuation has been made in the 1965 budget.
OTHER BUSINESS
Other important business conducted by the committee during the past year include:
Re-naming the Norwell Elementary School as the Ella Osborn School.
Drastic changes in the boundaries separating the areas served by the Cole and Osborn Schools, as necessitated by the opening of the Cole School addition.
An important change in the procedure for children to use alighting from buses. Children now cross the street in front of the waiting bus in order to take advantage of the bus' flashing lights and the State law against passing stopped school buses.
FUTURE NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
The increased rate of growth of our school population makes the planning and building of additional classroom space more urgent. A new elementary school should be in operation by September, 1966, to avoid an extremely crowded condition. Planning on the basis of opening a new school after that date will introduce considerable risk that there will be a shortage of class- room space even after auditorium and gymnasium areas are temporarily converted to classroom use.
The need for an addition on the High School is anticipated no later than September, 1968, and possibly a year earlier.
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Additional Junior High School classrooms will probably be needed by 1970.
The need for expanded outdoor athletic facilities at the High School and Junior High School becomes more acute as our school population grows and as the Physical Education and Athletic Program expand.
The need for continual growth and revision of the curricula of all schools at all levels is foreseen in order to just keep abreast of the increas- ing demands upon our graduates who are entering colleges or going directly to jobs.
We should continue to work toward the full implementation of the valid recommendations that were made by the committee that evaluated our High School last year.
The School Committee should strive to increase its effectiveness in ac- complishing long-range planning and implementing policies that will permit the achievement of its goals. In this respect, every effort should be made to avoid over-entanglement in "brush-fire" situations that tend to diminish the effectiveness of the committee.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this committee has met the challenges of 1964, coped with changing times, and laid some plans for the future. The actions of the committee have been tempered by the consideration of the heavy burden that present-day school operations place on the taxpayer.
The committee should continue to strive for the advancement of our educational program as required to prepare our students to meet the increasing demands of modern civilization. The challenge that it faces is to accomplish this within reasonable costs to the Town of Norwell.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT N., MAGLATHLIN, Chairman FLETCHER S. BOIG, Vice Chairman J. PETER HALL, Clerk GEORGE B. GREGORY, Member MARGARET E. C. REESER, Member
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE Norwell School Department NORWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Robert N. Maglathlin, Chairman, 1965 Fletcher S. Boig, Vice Chairman, 1966 Margaret E. C. Reeser, 1966 George B. Gregory, Jr., 1965 J. Peter Hall, Clerk, 1967
ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Frederick A. Small Office: Junior High School Building, Norwell
PRINCIPALS
Robert H. Jackman
William H. Penn
John H. Croley
Walter H. Kaetzer
Senior High School Junior High School Grace Farrar Cole School
Ella Osborn School
DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Hugh W, Chandler
DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Felix J. Dixon
ELEMENTARY SPECIALIST
Grace B. Alvey
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Raymond G. Vinal, M.D.
SCHOOL DENTIST
Blake Lombard, D.M.D. Charlotte Gilmore, Hygienist
SCHOOL NURSES
Catherine A. Roe Mildred V. Wilcox
CAFETERIA SUPERVISOR
Hazel Robbins
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SECRETARIAL
Barbara Cox Office of Associate Superintendant
Edith Devine
Senior High School
Jean Field
Senior High School
Ernestine Bustard
Junior High School
Janice Litchfield
Ella Osborn School
Phyllis Beauregard
Grace Farrar Cole School
CUSTODIAL
Ruth Pike, Matron
Senior High School
Robert Pike
Senior High School
Edmund Lapham
Senior High School
Elphege Daneau
Senior High School
Raymond Merrill
Junior High School
Walter Brown
Junior High School
Emil Rosenberg
Ella Osborn School
Thomas McNiff
Ella Osborn School
George Alexander
Grace Farrar Cole School
Clifton Leake
Grace Farrar Cole School
Everett Magoun
Grace Farrar Cole School
and Junior High School
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1964-1965
September 8 Teachers' meeting, registration
September 9
All Schools open
October 12
Columbus Day
October 30
Teachers' Convention
November 11
Veterans' Day
November 25 (noon), 26, 27 Thanksgiving recess
December 23 (noon)
Christmas reces s
January 4
Schools reopen
February 22-26
Winter recess
April 16
Good Friday
April 19-23 Spring recess
May 31 (Monday) Memorial Day observation
All Schools Close June 25
REPORT OF THE ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Norwell School Committee:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Associate Superintendent of Schools.
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There are employed currently by the School Department 98 professional persons in the areas of instruction, supervision, administration, and health. Thirty-four persons are employed full or part time in various non-professional categories.
Enrolled in the four school buildings are approximately 1,700 pupils, about 10 per cent more young people than a year ago.
The Grace Farrar Cole School addition was ready for occupancy with the beginning of the fall term in September, a tribute to the Norwell Building and Maintenance Committee, Mr. Harold Cranton, Chairman.
As of this writing, both elementary schools, Cole and Osborn, are at pupil capacity. In September of 1965, there will be need for six additional classrooms at the elementary (grades 1-6) level. Space for two of these rooms may be found in the Junior High School building. It will be necessary to use library and auditorium space at both the Cole and Osborn Schools to contain the required number of elementary classrooms in the school year of 1965-1966.
The Junior High School will be at capacity in 1965 and the Senior High School will be ready for additional space.
There is IMMEDIATE need for planning NOW for additional elementary classrooms and attending facilities ready for occupancy no later than September, 1966.
There is also IMMEDIATE need for planning NOW for extended Senior High School spaces ready for occupancy and use no later than 1967, if we are to support the program of secondary education that is both current and contemplated.
The facts of school-space needs have been made known to the Planning Board and to the Building and Maintenance Committee.
The academic program at all schools is sound and progressive.
All school buildings now have libraries which exist and function as "learning centers" in all subject matter areas. The library has rather limitless possibilities in a planned program of education. It is hoped that these important facilities and their services can be extended. Experienced and full-time personnel for the control and supervision of elementary libraries would, indeed, be desirable.
The total operating budget, in round figures, for the year 1964 was $755,000. In the process of spending this amount, the Town of Norwell is reimbursed approximately $125,000. This means the amount spent out-of- pocket is $630,000. Dividing this figure by our approximate school enroll-
51
ment of 1,700 pupils, we derive a per-pupil cost of $370. Further division of the $370 per pupil by 180 school days of attendance results in a per-day cost per pupil of $2.06. Add 30ยข for a hot lunch at noon, and we have a $2.36-cost for the entire school day for each pupil!
Each day a young person is picked up practically at his door, is de- livered to a well-heated, lighted, and ventilated building; is instructed by professionally trained and competent personnel; has medical care at his disposal; is furnished with every supply item to cater to his physical and intellectual needs; is provided with textbooks and reference materials; is encouraged to participate in athletics and co-curricular activities; is fed a complete hot lunch; and is transported home again after being the re- sponsibility of the School Department for a length of time that may vary from seven to nine hours from departure in the A.M. to return in the P.M. Many times the school continues its function in the evening hours. The cost? $2.36 a day -- a wage any self-respecting teen-age baby sitter would spurn in derision.
It becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a progressive and forward- looking school program in the face of mounting costs. And yet this is the responsibility of school administration.
The vast good that comes from an educational program of merit DOES cost money -- more each year in this highly competitive society of ours. It is the hope of this office that a continuing program of sound education can be offered to the youth of Norwell and that the Citizens of the Town will manifest a willingness to financially support such a program.
Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK A. SMALL, Associate Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Frederick A. Small Associate Superintendent of Schools Norwell, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Small:
Just where to begin my 1964 report to you, and what to include in it has been a problem. During the year 1964 there has been continued improve- ment in overall achievement of the students at Norwell High School. This improvement has been due to several factors. One of the most important
52
factors is that there was no teacher turnover in the high school. In Septem- ber, 1964, we added two teachers to our staff, but other than these additions we opened school this year with the same personnel with which we closed school in June. To have all teachers return to a school is a rare occasion in these days of a shortage of good experienced teachers.
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