USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1917 > Part 8
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The total amount received for the sealing of scales, weights and measures was $54.02, which is an increase of nearly $15.00 over the amount received for any previous year.
The following is a list of the scales, weights and meas- ures either adjusted, sealed or condemned :
Adjusted
Sealed Condemned
SCALES :
Platform, over 5,000 lbs.
2
4
Platform, under 5,000 lbs.
22
45
Counters
12
40
1
Beams
1
2
Spring balances
4
36
11
Computing
13
20
3
Personal weighing
1
1
Prescription
1
3
Miscellaneous
117
118
Adjusted
Sealed Condemned
WEIGHTS :
Avoirdupois
24
269
5
Apothecary
.
3
45
CAPACITY MEASURE :
Dry Measure
10
2
Liquid Measure
57
5
Automatic Pumps
8
18
3
LINEAR MEASURE :
Yardsticks
13
Totals
91
563
30
Number Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Coke and charcoal
3
2
1
0
Coal (in wagons)
2
2
Coal (in paper bags)
2
2
Ice
13
3
0
10
Grain and feeds
1
1
Flour
11
5
6
Butter
14
11
2
1
Dry commodities
42
31
7
4
Fruits and vegetables
9
3
4
2
Meats and provisions .
9
6
1
2
Bread .
14
6
1
-
Oleomargarine
6
6
Pork and lard
14
14
Totals
140
92
22
26
Number cases in court
1
Number cases fined
1
Number cases defaulted
.
0
Money secured for sealing
$54 02
.
-
-
Incorrect
CARL M. SMITH, Sealer.
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
READING, MASS., January 22, 1918.
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
I submit the following report of the Forest Warden for the year ending December 31, 1917.
Number of permits issued to have fires in the open . 314 Number of calls for grass and brush fires answered by
this department 37
(None of these fires were of a serious nature and the resulting losses were small. ) .
Number of calls from Look-out Station, all of which were investigated and reports sent back to the tower 19
I have investigated all fires and sent reports of the same to the State Fire Warden.
Before the opening of the gunning season I posted all lots and paths with fire warnings, as in past years, with the same gratifying results.
From the experience we had last Fall with Birch Meadow fires I think it would be advisable for this depart- ment to burn over this tract next Fall providing the neces- sary permission can be obtained from the owners, so that the boys can have their skating pond without so much expense to the Town.
I have appointed the following deputies :
George F. Blanchard, Forest Street Tel. 154-M A. E. Batchelder, Franklin Street Tel. 567-W John N. Weston, Locust Street Tel. 91-W W. W. Newhouse, South Main Street Tel. 562-M
Willard A. Bancroft, West Street
Tel. 157-W
In conclusion, I wish to thank all who have assisted this department during the past year.
Very respectfully,
HERBERT E. MCINTIRE, Forest Warden.
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Annual Report
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING For the Year Ending December 31 1917
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WALTER S. PARKER, Ch., 55 Walnut St. WILLIAM R. CLARKE, 57 Howard St. Term expires 1920 ARTHUR N. MANSFIELD, 107 Woburn St. Term expires 1918 MRS. ELIZABETH H. BROWN, 53 Prospect St. Term expires 1918 MRS. IDA A. YOUNG. 86 Woburn St. Term expires 1919 Term expires 1919
JESSE W. MORTON, 114 Woburn St.
Term expires 1920
Superintendent of Schools
ADELBERT L. SAFFORD 78 King Street ( )FFICE High School. Hours: School days. 8.30 to 9.30 A. M.
Secretary to Superintendent
IRENE B. ALLEN
369 Haverhill Street
Attendance Officer
EDWIN L. HUTCHINSON. 6 Grove St. Office. 187 Main Street
School Physician
E. DALTON RICHMOND, M. D. 24 Woburn Street
Janitors
HIGH SCHOOL. Clement Gleason 64 Orange St. HIGH SCHOOL MATRON, Ara A. Pratt . 29 Orange St.
HIGHLAND SCHOOL, Jesse N. Hutchinson 7 Parker St. GROUARD HOUSE, Charles H. Stinchfield 20 Highland St.
CENTER SCHOOL, David W. Pigueron 88 Orange St.
UNION ST. SCHOOL, David W. Pigueron 88 Orange St.
LOWELL ST. SCHOOL. Sylvanus L. Thompson 167 Lowell St. PROSPECT ST. SCHOOL, Geo. N. Hutchinson 246 Summer Ave. CHESTNUT HILL SCHOOL
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ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman
ADELBERT L. SAFFORD, Secretary
Sub-Committees
A. N. Mansfield
FINANCES AND ACCOUNTS W. R. Clarke J. W. Morton
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
J. W. Morton Mrs. Ida A. Young W. S. Parker
SCHOOL HOUSES AND PROPERTY
A. N. Mansfield J. W. Morton W. R. Clarke
RULES AND REGULATIONS Mrs. Elizabeth H. Brown W. R. Clarke A. N. Mansfield
W. R. Clarke
TEACHERS AND SALARIES W. S. Parker J. W. Morton
MUSIC AND DRAWING Mrs. Ida A. Young J. W. Morton Mrs. Elizabeth H. Brown
W. R. Clarke
COURSE OF STUDY Mrs. Ida A. Young J. W. Morton
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1917
TO THE CITIZENS OF READING :
Another year has passed in the educational history of our town. Some progress has been made, although nothing of a startling nature has occurred. We have lost by resig- nation several very competent teachers who were induced to leave our service by tempting offers of substantial in- creases in salaries. The committee is in receipt of a petition from some of the teachers for a twenty-five per cent. in- crease at this time but no action has yet been taken in the matter.
However, it is a mistake for us as patriotic citizens to think that all wages of workers can be increased and teachers' salaries remain the same as in years past. Living expenses have increased enormously. Our teachers' salaries have been only slightly increased during the past five years, while even unskilled laborers are getting three, four and five dollars a day. The committee has asked for an appro- priation for the coming year of $63,100 for the General School Budget. This is two thousand six hundred and fifty dollars larger than last year's. The appropriation asked for the Agricultural Department is $4,400, which is the same amount as was appropriated in 1917. In the General School Budget the natural increase in teachers' salaries according to the schedule adopted three years ago makes the amount somewhat larger than last year, and the cost for janitors has been increased. Altogether about $2,800 more is required for salaries in 1918 than was expended for the same purpose in 1917.
An estimated increase of $1,800 for fuel has been made, but under present unsettled conditions the committee is unable to predict with confidence the exact cost of that item for the ensuing year.
These increases in the budget are offset in part by a cut of $2,066 below the expenditures of 1917 in our estimates for
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text-books, supplies, apparatus and repairs. This cut has been made because the committee feels that the exigencies of war conditions require the strictest economy consistent with the maintenance of the efficiency of the schools and that upkeep and needed improvements that can be deferred without serious consequences should be put off until the general financial situation has improved.
We earnestly urge the attention of the citizens to the financial data in the Superintendent's report, also to the comparative tables taken from the State Report of the Com- missioner of Education showing how Reading stands in the appropriation for schools in comparison with the other towns of 5000 inhabitants and above.
We ask your careful perusal of the letter from the State Board of Education on the subject of Support of Schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at this time.
We are sorry to announce that our former associate on the School Committee, W. R. Clarke, has been obliged to resign from membership on the board because of his de- parture from town. We lose thereby an able, earnest co- worker in the educational field, a man possessed with high ideals of educational values and a great faith in the possi- bilities of our young people.
The work in domestic science, including sewing and millinery, is worthy of high commendation. The war in Europe has brought forcibly to our attention the value of all things pertaining to the art of living and the real essen- tials of social life.
The terms of office of Mrs. Elizabeth H. Brown and Arthur N. Mansfield expire in 1918. These with the resig- nation of Mr. Clarke create three vacancies to be filled by election at the next annual town meeting in March.
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman. ARTHUR N. MANSFIELD
MRS. ELIZABETH H. BROWN
MRS. IDA A. YOUNG
JESSE W. MORTON
School Committee.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, 1917
TO THE HONORABLE, THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF READING, MASS. :
The twenty-fifth annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is respectfully submitted herewith for your con- sideration.
It has been a year of earnest and intensive effort to raise standards of scholarship and efficiency in all depart- ments, both by making the subject-matter of instruction more closely related to the pupil's daily life and future vocation, and by stimulating to a greater degree concentra- tion, clear thinking, and sustained effort on the part of the pupils. The reorganization and expansion of the cur- riculum which has been gradually taking place in the past three years has been halted for the present, and efforts directed towards perfecting and standardizing the projects previously entered upon.
When financial conditions permit, some further obvious deficiencies and weaknesses in our school system will doubt- less be remedied. Several of these matters were enumer- ated in last year's report, and others might be added if the circumstances were more favorable for action. In the mean- time, under the conditions created by the war, new prob- lems have arisen in the management of the schools. Wise counsel and energetic effort will be necessary in order to maintain the schools in their full efficiency. We are warned by the experience of both England and France that it is vitally necessary as a war measure as well as an after- the-war measure that the integrity of the education in the schools shall be preserved. Notwithstanding the exhaust- ing financial drain of the war in both of these countries, expenditures for education have been increased instead of curtailed.
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The following letter from the Massachusetts Commis- sioner of Education defines the policy of the Massachusetts Board of Education in the present crisis :
"TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, READING, MASS.
"With the approach of the annual town meetings, when the question of appropriations is to be taken up, our people should give thoughtful attention to the unusual conditions confronting the schools. Increased costs in every direction bring the towns and cities face to face with the necessity of increasing school appropriations for the coming year. The schools have never before required more thoughtful atten- tion to their needs, and it will not be safe to handicap them with a policy of retrenchment.
"It is worthy the attention of the American people that, in spite of enormous expenditures for war purposes, France is giving unprecedented attention to her public schools, and England, for the current year, increased her expenditures for public education 30 per cent. over that of any preceding year.
"In the school year 1915-16, Massachusetts expended approximately $27,000,000 for public education. This amount was increased to $28,500,000 for the school year 1916-17. This increase of approximately 6 per cent. shows the serious intention of our people to maintain a vigorous educational policy. In view of the present situation, Massa- chusetts cannot afford to relax, in any degree, her efforts to carry on her schools at highest efficiency.
"Education is a long time investment. Its purpose is to protect democracy through the right training of the youth. Even temporary interference with this purpose, through inadequate financial support, may seriously impair the quality of our future citizenship. In the present crisis, it is imperative that towns and cities give careful considera- tion to the needs of the schools,
Sincerely yours,
PAYSON SMITH, Com. of Education."
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I suppose that the amount which a community ought to tax itself for education is a matter of opinion which is affected very much by the degree of one's faith in education as a paying investment for the community and by one's willingness to subordinate personal interest in a low tax rate to the social welfare of his town.
The increased cost of the Reading Schools is not due to recent improvements in organization, nor to any great ex- tent to any new subjects or methods that have been intro- duced, but has resulted (1) from increased number of pupils requiring additional rooms, teachers, and overhead charges; (2) from increased prices of fuel. supplies, and text-books ; and (3) lastly and chiefly from the payment of higher salaries.
The average membership of the schools in 1917 was over nineteen per cent. greater than it was in 1913; the cost of fuel and many school supplies has increased one hundred per cent. or more; the increase in salaries was about twenty per cent. in the Primary grades, about fifteen per cent. in the Junior High School, and about ten per cent. in the High School.
Notwithstanding these increases, it must not be in- ferred that Reading is increasing its cost for schools faster than other towns. In 1913, in tax rate for schools Reading ranked thirty-sixth below the highest of the seventy towns in Massachusetts of over 5,000 inhabitants. In 1917, Read- ing ranked forty-fifth.
In amount of money expended per pupil from tax levy. the rank of Reading has greatly decreased in the past ten years. In 1907, Reading ranked 84 in the state; in 1908, 93: in 1909, 99; in 1910, 140; in 1911. 111; average for the five years, 105. In 1912, Reading ranked 164; in 1913, 125; in 1914, 202; in 1915, 187; in 1916, 159-average for the last five years 167 as against 105 for the preceding five years. Some say that the smaller towns. like Reading, should spend less per pupil than larger places. There are only 81 towns and cities in the state larger than Reading, but in 1917 there were 145 that had a higher tax rate for schools and
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246 that spent a larger sum from all sources per pupil in the average membership. The average cost from all sources per pupil in average membership for the towns of over 5,000 inhabitants was $39.05; the cost in Reading was $37.68. Forty-four towns of over 5,000 inhabitants had a higher tax rate for schools than Reading. Of the thirty-one towns of over 5,000 inhabitants having a lower tax rate for schools than Reading twenty-one of them spent a larger sum per pupil than Reading; that is, the lower tax rate yielded a larger amount per pupil because of greater valuation per pupil.
Some might think that too large a part of the total tax rate was devoted to schools. Here again Reading makes a more favorable showing than the majority of the seventy- six towns of over 5,000 inhabitants. In 1917 Reading ranked 127 below the highest in total tax rate and 146 below the highest in tax rate for schools showing that the portion of the whole levy devoted to schools in Reading was less than the average of the whole state. The same is true of Read- ing's rank in the seventy-six towns of over 5,000 inhabi- . tants. Reading devoted nearly 29% of the whole tax rate to schools. Fifty other towns devoted as much or more and only twenty-five towns a less per cent. to schools. Three towns devoted less than 20% of the whole levy to schools; ten towns, 20-25% inclusive; twelve towns, 26-28% inclu- sive; seven, including Reading, had 29%; nineteen had 30-34% inclusive; sixteen had 35-39% inclusive; nine had 40-47% inclusive. Tables showing the standing of each of the seventy-six towns of over 5,000 inhabitants in the various items quoted above are published elsewhere in this report, and may be verified by comparison with the annual reports of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, from which all of the above data was obtained.
It is obvious, from the above data, that Reading has increased the cost of schools less rapidly in the last ten years than the majority of towns of the Commonwealth, and at the present time ranks well below the average in tax rate for schools, in cost per pupil and in the percentage of the total tax levy devoted to schools, and much lower in
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these respects than was the case either five or ten years ago. The actual increase in average cost per pupil for the past four years, compared with the preceding four years, is 83 per cent .; considering the increased cost of wages and all kinds of supplies, the inference is plainly in favor of more economical management in the last four years.
The school population of Reading is growing steadily. The school census of 1917 showed an increase of more than 6 per cent. over 1916. Already the Prospect Street School- house is nearing the limit of its capacity. The Highland School, which was relieved somewhat by the establishment of grades five and six at Lowell Street, Prospect Street, and Chestnut Hill, is again filled, and should be relieved soon by providing accommodations for the fifth and sixth grades of the Center district in some other building. There are fourteen rooms now occupied by the first six grades in the Center district ; four at Union Street Schoolhouse, six at the Center Schoolhouse, and four at the Highland Schoolhouse. In many ways the interests of the pupils of this district would be best served by uniting all the classes in one large modern building. The Union Street building is far below the required standards of present day schoolhouse construc- tion, yet is tolerably suitable for its present use. The Cen- ter School is very seriously lacking in its facilities for heat- ing and ventilation, as well as being objectionable on some other accounts. The School Committee has been requested by the inspectors of the District Police and by the Fire Commissioner to make improvements in this building, but the time does not seem opportune to undertake work of this character. Neither the Center nor the Union Street building is suitably designed or located for enlargement. On the other hand, the construction of another small build- ing near these two is not a very satisfactory solution of the problem. Some study has been given to the idea of making a new district. While considerable numbers come to the Center from long distances, as from Haverhill Street, North Main Street above Forest Street and Pine Street and Lower Salem Street, these pupils are scattered and there does not seem to be any convenient center for enough pupils to war-
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rant erecting a new schoolhouse. The Highland School- house needs tinting of halls and corridors and some rooms; and also the installation of a lighting system, at an esti- mated expense of $500.
War conditions have affected our schools, particularly the High School, in many ways. Several pupils and many former pupils volunteered for service, entering nearly all branches. The boys in the school now are given, twice a week, the system of gymnastics used in training cadets at West Point. The needs and benefits of this training are obvious to those at all familiar with the physical condition of our pupils. Classes in conversational French, for pros- pective war workers and soldiers, have been organized. The High School building has been used by the State Guard as headquarters and drill hall; by the Auxiliary of the 101st Engineers; by the Home and School Association; by the Boy Scouts and by the Girl Scouts; also by a variety of agencies in the interest of food production and conservation. The Food Production Committee, as a branch of the Public Safety Committee, has had its office and meetings in the High School building. Also, the High School gymnasium has been used frequently by soldiers in training from the Wakefield Rifle Range, or elsewhere.
Although teachers' salaries have been raised in the past three years according to the schedule adopted, we have lost seven teachers from the High School during the past year, and the present sub-master is subject to the draft and will probably leave before June. Three of the six teachers in the Junior High School have recently received offers above our maximum salary; one of them has already resigned to accept a position elsewhere.
The agricultural department of the High School has had a most prosperous year. We were very fortunate in retain- ing the present instructor, who was offered a very lucrative and honorable position in the service of the U. S. govern- ment, but remained in Reading because he disliked to be absent from home travelling continually as was required in the government service.
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Another year of experience with the Junior High School has served to strengthen our first impressions that it is a great improvement over the old organization of the seventh and eighth grades. The work in General Science has been further developed and some instruction in elementary Agri- culture introduced. Penmanship and Reading have received special attention in the elementary grades. Changes have been made also in the course of study in Geography. Work in Sewing and Millinery has been particularly successful; also the cooking and canning at the Grouard House have been worthy of special note. During the summer vacation the Grouard House was opened as a Community Preserving Kitchen.
The schools have sought to cooperate as far as possible in meeting the conditions imposed by the war at the same time endeavoring to maintain to the highest degree possible under the circumstances the main function for which the schools are maintained, the education of the young and their preparation for bearing an honorable and efficient part in the business of life.
Respectfully submitted,
ADELBERT L. SAFFORD, Superintendent. Dec. 31, 1917.
REPORT OF INSTRUCTOR IN AGRICULTURE, 1917
MR. ADELBERT L. SAFFORD, Superintendent of the Schools of Reading:
DEAR SIR-In accordance with your request I herewith submit my first annual report on the work of the Agricul- tural Department of the Reading High School. This report covers the time from April 5, 1917, to December 25, 1917.
Upon assuming his duties in April, the instructor found the department with nineteen boys. It was in excellent condition and for that reason the same plan of work was continued without interruption.
The subjects for 1916-1917 were poultry for the younger and fruit growing for the older division. Proper emphasis was laid upon the seasonal work for these subjects. This included among other things practice in pruning the grape, fruit bushes and fruit trees, the spraying of various fruits and the proper methods of setting out spring stock.
The second week after taking up his duties the instruc- tor made a personal visit to the homes of all the boys in order to get a "close up" view of the conditions under which the pupils were to carry on their home projects.
The purpose of our course is strictly vocational and the methods used are directed toward that end. By far the most important part of the work is "Project Work," both at home and at school. The project is the test as it were. It is the carrying out on the home place of some approved project directly by the pupil and absolutely under his man- agement, subject to interference only by the department.
Alongside of "Project Work" and growing out of it at every point is "Project Study." "Project Study" is :
1. A detached study of the agricultural principles in- volved in the project as they occur, then focusing the atten-
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tion of the pupil on each principle when his own interest necessitates an understanding of that principle and his home work offers a concrete example of it.
2. A study of the agricultural methods and practices which he is to carry out and training in the technique of each, together with a clear statement in his notebook of facts and principles acquired and of the plan of action for his own project.
Project study is carried out by directing the pupil to as many sources of information as possible, to books. pamphlets, bulletins, to men of experience in the various lines of work involved in such projects as that which is being studied by the pupil, to consultation with parents and suc- cessful farmers and then by applying reason to his own con- dition, leading him to select the one plan of action best suited to himself. The "Project Study" is a cross section, so to speak, of each boy's individual project. Growing out of this "Project Study" is the "School Project," its purpose being to illustrate by means of practical work some of the chief agricultural processes.
The school projects included laying out the orchard, pruning and setting young trees, pruning small fruits and grapevines, preparing spray materials, spraying, picking and packing fruits ; making plans and specifications for lay- ing and breeding houses, building poultry houses; incuba- tion, brooding, fattening and killing.
The class room work is divided as follows: The first period each day is given over to what is known as the "Agricultural Survey." This consists of daily recitations from a text book supplemented by a considerable amount of laboratory and field work and vitalized by means of con- crete and practical problems. The main body of the allotted time of each division is given over to "Project Study," and the last thirty minutes is taken up by the "Round Up," the purpose of it being to subject individual ideas and plans to the criticism of the entire class and thus clarify principles and intensify impressions.
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