USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1921 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
Earnings for year
$ 12,866.45
Wilmington Extension
Number of customers December 31, 1921 584
Number of 40 candle power public street lights 459
Number of 40 candle power private street lights 4
Horse power in motors
69.5
Earnings for year $ 21,250.82
TABLE A
Year
Income from
Sale of
Electricity
Income from Other Sources
Appropriations
from Tax Levy
Maintenance
Appropriations
from Tax Levy
Construction
Manufacturing
Expense
Distribution
Expense
Miscellaneous
Expense
Interest
Depreciation
Bond and
Note Payment
Total Cost
of Plant
December 31
1910
$25,668.87
$604.88
$10,000.00
$270.00
$13,228.57
43,271.76 $4,429.32 $2,535.75 $3,556.00 $4,000.00 $135,992.62
1911
31,317.40
410.77
5,800.00
1,000.00
13,066.25
6,353.77
5,753.84
2,767.00
4,079.78
4,500.00
144,714.06
1912
37,171.93
599.07
5,000.00
5,500.00
17,546.87
5,605.41
5,605.18
3,018.21
4,143.80
7,200.00
173,091.96
1913
44,664.70
671.87
6,000.00
5,076.19
20,054.99
10,705.42 10,214.88
3,515.40
4,788.80
6,800.00
202,518.81
1914
49,799.75
791.14
4,500.00
4,132.07
19,014.03
7,784,82
8,697.05
4,453.33
6,051.08
9,000.00
233,509.58
1915
51,603.32
640.25
10,500.00
none
18,292.78
10,329.83
7,730.32
4,640.42
6,972.28
9,500.00
254,349.09
1916
61,900.01
911.69
5,000.00
none
22,261.19
13,986.22
8,316.39
4,704.99
7,597.47
10,800.00
269,898.27
1917
67,593.64
2,422.92
8,750.00
none
30,460.16
14,557.81 11,577.08
5,070.43
8,096.95
11,300.00
285,428.29
1918
78,096.09
1,537.86 · 11,000.00
none
41,006.13
13,572.51 11,311.54
6,882.24
8,529.85
14,800.00
348,871.08
1919
100,844.10
1,100.11
14,450.00
none
45,006.98
13,864.14 13,874.46
7,416.21 10,419.76
14,800.00
389,564.73
1920
126,152.11
1,094.66
11,000.00
none
56,187.74
17,085.95 17,142.48
7,850.70 15,507.13
18,300.00
421,048.20
1921
135,886.69
219.20
17,500.00
none
52,738.98
24,453.15 16,594.65
7,423,10 16,767.55
19,300.00
449.540.12
for
for
TABLE B
Year
K. W. H. Generated
K. W. H. Sold
K. W. H.
Reading St. Lights
K. W. H. Used at
Station Stock Room
andApplianceRoom
Unaccounted For
Tons of Coal Used
Average Cost of
Coal Per Ton
Number of
Customers
Number of Street
Lights
No. of Commercial
Lights in 40 W
Units
Horse Power in Motors
1910
698,597
300,861
227,100
16,269
154,367
1,561
3.877
738
269
16,000
116 1-2
1911
771,011
367,317
244,055
15,403
144,236
1,614
3.742
888
382
19,867
215
1912
919,282
481,801
242,033
13,307
182,141
2,007
4.19
1,078
698
24,700
242 1-4
1913
1,045,592
599,893
255,744
15,283
174,672
2,393
4.414
1,263
903
27,191
272
1914
986,476
578,709
187,590
15,283
204,894
2,229
4.107
1,390
993
29,937
313 7-10
1915
980,688
548,607
156,505
10,403
265,173
2,052
4.008
1,599
1,181
.33,731
381
1916
1,231,677
751,735
170,810
13,916
295,216
2,448
4.407
1,805
1,225
36,700
441
1917
1,291,216
812,507
168,535
12,464
297,710
2,756
6.759
1,964
1,295
39,280
492
1918
1,318,546
976,121
125,820
10,573
206,032
2,990
8.82
2,083
1,303
41,660
672
1919
2,056,834
1,358,028
172,948
189,067
336,791
3,250
8.42
2,333
1,339
44,118
886
1920
2,297,237
1,444,960
175,704
257,999
418,574
3,228
11.595
2,617
1,363
48,378
812.5
1921
2,193,092
1,471,698
178,892
146,206
396,296
2,954
11.392
2,939
1,473
52,242
1120.5
Delivered to
K. W. H.
(2240 Lbs.)
217
TABLE C Manufacturing Costs per K. W. H. Based on Total K. W. H. Delivered at Switchboard
Year
Fuel
Labor
Repairs and other station expenses
Total
costs
1910
.0086
.0075
.0026
.0187
1911
.0078
.0069
.0021
.0168
1912
.0091
.0071
.0027
.0189
1913
.0101
.0070
.0020
.0191
1914
.0092
.0082
.0017
.0191
1915
.0085
.0087
.0013
.0185
1916
.0087
.0071
.0022
.0180
1917
.0144
.0075
.0015
.0234
1918
.0200
.0085
.0025
.0310
1919
.0133
.0066
.0019
.0218
1920
.01.62
.0071
.0009
.0242
1921
.0153
.0077
.0009
.0240
TABLE D
Average Cost per K. W. H. as Defined by Chapter 77, Acts of 1918
1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921
Operating Costs: . 0397 .0483 .0362 .0586 .0467 .0577 .0538 .0509 .0558 .0640 Fixed Costs:
.0198 .0176 .0254 .0299 .0261 .0249 .0274 .0213 .0259 .0330
Total Costs : .0595 .0659 .0616 .0885 .0728 .0826 .0812 .0722 .0817 .0970
1920
ELECTRICITY
Street Lighting
Not accounted For 18,2 %
10.2 %
Current
Lighting
Commercial
23.5 %
GENERATED
Station and Office 11.2 %
FOR
Cooking and Heating 9.1 70
Commercial Power. 27,8 %
INV
ACCOUNTED
1921
ELECTRICITY
Street Lighting 112%
Commercial . Lighting 27.7%
GENERATED
Current 21.7%
Station and Office 11.2%
Commercial Power 17.4%
AND
FOR
Cooking and Heating
10.8 %
ACCOUNTED
Figure 1 shows graphically in percentage of K. W. H. generated, the number sold, used and unaccounted for
Not Accounted For
1920
INCOME
Cooking and - Heating
Street Lighting
4.76%
Commercial Power
FROM
17.45 %
21.64 %
11121812373
Commercial
Lighting
SALE
OF
1921
INCOME
Street
Lighting 20.8 %
Cooking and Heating 49%
R ON
16.1%
11121813371
Commercial
Lighting
58.2 %
SALE
OF
Figure 2 shows graphically the percentage of income received from the different classes of service
56.15 %
Commercial
Power
1920
DISTRIBUTION
10907
24.1 %
AND
Other
Interest 5.9 %
Depreciation 11.7%
Bonds and Notes 13.8%
INIZW
FOR
51502
1921
DISTRIBUTION
Fuel 27.3%
Labo 28
% 187
or
AND
Interest 5.5 %
Other
Depreciation 12.2 %
Operating
1921
Bonds and Notes 14. %
Costs 12.9 %
CONUNALNIVW
FOR
COSTS
HOW YOUR DOLLAR HAS BEEN SPENT Figure 3 shows graphically in per cent, the division of expense
MANUFACTURING
Operating Costs 16.2%
1920
MANUFACTURING Fuel 28.3 %
221
LIST OF UNPAID BILLS
Addressograph Company
$ 3.65
Ajax Rubber Company
297.38
Bates Garage Company
115.45
Boston Lumber Company
799.24
Buckminster, Geo. H. Company
696.01
Cameron, J. J.
2.70
Castner, Curran & Bullitt, Inc.
12,106.84
Central Garage, D. H Stevens, Prop.
114.41
Chandler & Farquhar
3.38
Clapp & Leach
106.26
Columbia Lamp Division
634.03
Cronkhite, Sands Company
27.00
Dallman, H. I. Company
19.58
Davis, Geo. W. Company
76.14
Cummings Express Company
51.66
Eastern Mass. St. Ry. Company
36.55
Electric Blower Company
24.80
Engineering Supply Company
68.40
Esner, Myer A.
74.05
Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company
11.00
Fairbanks Company
3.85
Flood, E. K. .
4.25
Foster, McDonald Company
178.01
Francis Bros.
108.63
Jenkins Bros.
10.16
General Electric Company
290.78
Gordon, A. D.
20.25
Hardy, F. S. & Company
411.96
Hoover Suction Sweeper Company (credit)
85.20
Ham, E. W. Electric Company
132.60
India Alkali Works
27.55
Jeanes, C. L. & Company
14.70
Jenkins Bros.
20.47
Lindstrom-Smith Company
3.81
Lynnfield, Town of
360.10
Mathias Hart Company
42.23
North Reading, Town of
140.00
Pettingell-Andrews Company
1,673.32
Pettingell Electric Supply Company
40.37
Prentiss & Parker
2,011.88
Reading Garage, Inc.
43.06
Reading Tire Shop
8.00
Seaman, P. J.
8.50
Sidelinker, Thos J.
350.00
Electric Machine & Instrument Company
119.30
222
Simplex Electric Heating Company
21.18
Simplex Wire & Cable Company
31.81
Smith, F. F.
2.50
Standard Oil Company
299.91
Star Brass Manufacturing Company
5.77
Stembridge, S. R.
34.20
Stuart-Howland Company
1,045.86
Sweetser, P. N.
85.19
Temple, J. S. & Company
12.50
Twombly, W. E. & J. F.
182.27
Waterproof Paint & Varnish Company
137.90
Webster Thomas Company
112.50
Western Electric Company
11.60
Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company
366.17
Wetmore-Savage Company
238.69
Jeanes, C. L. & Company
42.10
New England Tel. & Tel. Co.
39.60
$ 23,876.86
223
REPORT OF AUDITOR FOR YEAR 1921
February 10, 1922.
To the Municipal Light Board,
Reading, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :- The annual audit and examination of the records and books of account of the Lighting Department of the Town of Reading has been completed and the following reports are submitted :
Assets & Liabilities December 31, 1921 and 1920.
Income and Expenses for the years 1921 and 1920.
Profit and Loss and Surplus changes covering the same period.
List of Bonds and Notes originally issued and amounts outstanding December [31, 1921.
Appropriations
The Town authorized at its annual town meeting an expenditure of $7,000.00 to be financed by an issue of bonds, and bonds were issued dated July 1, 1921 bearing 6% and payable $1,000.00 each year. They also appropriated $17,500.00 for operation of street lights, to be paid from the tax levy of 1921. The books show that proper entries have been made recording these transactions.
Cash
A very careful check has been made of the cash receipts and dis- bursements and found to be properly accounted for and correctly vou- chered in each case. Verification was made by bank statements and the Town Treasurer's record of outstanding checks was found to be cor- rect.
Vouchers
These were carefully examined both as to distribution and calcula- tion and found correct, properly approved, and filed numerically to- gether with cancelled checks showing payment has been made. There were very few outstanding checks at the end of the year.
Accounts Receivable
The customers' accounts were carefully checked and the total is in agreement with the controlling account. A good improvement appears over the previous year in the matter of outstanding and delayed-payment accounts. The collection of accounts is an important matter and is worth special energy to guard against loss.
224
Supplies
Inventories were submitted and examined as to extensions and nu- merical calculations. No verification was made as to the details submit- ted, but the examination shows that care was taken in recording the sup- plies on hand.
Bonds
$7,000.00 new bonds were issued under date of July 1st, 1921 in ac- cordance with vote passed at the annual meeting. $13,000.00 of other is- sues of bonds have been paid during the year, and $7,500.00 which had been carried on the records as notes were transferred to the Bond ac- count, making an increase as shown in the statement of $1,500.00.
Notes
No notes have been issued during the year and $6,300.00 have been paid off, which with the $7,500 transferred to the Bond account makes a reduction of $13,800.00.
Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable were carefully examined and found to reconcile with the controlling account. A substantial reduction has been made over the amount outstanding the previous year, and it seems important to me that this reduction should continue as no Town, or Town Depart- ment, should have very many outstanding bills at the end of the year.
Income & Expenses
The gain in operating income over the previous year was $9,734.58. The increase in operating expenses was $3,370.61, showing a gain over the previous year of $6,363.97. The net result of the year's business con- sidering all revenue shows a loss of $2,506.66, which added to the deficit for last year $1,306.59 makes a total deficit of $3,813.25.
The accumulated losses for the two years ended December 31, 1921 are $7,674.98. The heavy ice storm which occurred late in November, and the resultant damages to the distribution system which the Depart- ment suffered in common with all business of like nature, was responsible for the deficit in the year 1921.
The books and records of the department were found in good con- dition, and all courtesy was extended by those in charge of the various departments.
There will necessarily have to be some changes in the method of ac- counting to meet the requirements as laid out by the Public Utilities Commission beginning January 1, 1922.
The reports submitted, I believe to accurately represent the condition of the Lighting Department of the Town of Reading.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. STANWOOD, Public Accountant.
225
TOWN OF READING-MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT Balance Sheet, Deecember 31st
ASSETS
1921
1920
Increase or Decrease
Land
$ 2,575.80
$ 2,575.80
$
Buildings
20,658.81
20,433.87
224.94
Steam Plant
83,427.99
81,776.36
1,651.63
Electric Plant
37,737.05
39,767.67
2,030.62
Street Lines & Wires
130,067.54
123,025.65
7,041.89
Transformers
24,635.29
21,671.33
2,963.96
Electric Meters
25,268.82
22,606.30
2,662.52
Street Lights
12,771.29
12,803.47
32.18
Office & Store Equipment
1,564.60
1,571.60
7.00
Station Tools & Appliances
1,105.56
1,140.31
34.75
Distribution Tools & Appliances
1,319.25
1,081.61
237.64
Auto Account
2,372.50
2,892.24
519.79
343,504.50
331,346.21
12,158.29
Cash :
Operating Fund
3,506.09
1,891.27
1,614.82
Deposit Fund
856.90
332.26
524.64
Reconstruction Fund
0.00
6,343.31
6,343.31
Accounts Receivable :
Consumers
8,956.95
14,875.03
. 5,918.08
Miscellaneous
5,186.56
8,087.25
2,900.69
Supplies :
Line
10,290.45
12,821.52
2,531.07
Lamps-Commercial
1,831.44
1,741.53
89.91
Fuel
7,694.88
10,717.25
3,022.37
Oils, Waste & Station
937.72
715.29
222.43
Jobbing
3,986.19
4,485.30
499.11
Stationery
501.77
437.09
64.68
Prepaid Insurance
1,905.92
2,154.46
248.54
45,654.87
64,601.56
18,946.69
TOTAL ASSETS
$389,159.37
$395,947.77
$ 6,788.40
1921
1920
Increase or Decrease
LIABILITIES
Appropriation for construction
$ 30,678.26
$ 30,678.26
$ 0.00
Loans, Repayment account
172,200.00
152,900.00
19,300.00
Bonds outstanding
138,500.00
137,000.00
1,500.00
226
Notes outstanding
18,200.00
32,000.00
13,800.00
Loan-Town Treasurer
6,800.00
5,000.00
1,800.00
Guarantee Deposits
856.90
332.26
524.64
Accounts Payable
23,876.86
37,472.97
13,596.11
Accrued Interest (not due)
1,860.60
1,870.87
10.27
392,972.62
397,254.36
4,281.74
Surplus
3,813.25
1,306.59
2,506.66
Total Liabilities & Surplus
. $389,159.37
$395,947.77
$ 6,788.40
Income and Expenses
1921
1920
Increase or Decrease
INCOME
Commercial Lighting
$ 77,282.49
$ 69,427.89
$ 7,854.60
Commercial Power
19,643.40
25,380.22
5,736.82
Commercial Cooking & Heating
6,616.42
6,008.30
608.12
Municipal Lighting
1,780.88
1,401.63
379.25
Municipal Power
2,061.58
1,639.58
422.00
Street Lighting-Reading
17,500.00
11,000.00
6,500.00
Street Lighting-No. Reading
3,302.19
3,341.53
39.34
Street Lighting-Wilmington
5,9,10.53
6,032.00
121.47
Street Lighting-Lynnfield
1,566.57
1,647.12
80.55
Town of Wakefield-Power
66.75
70.16
3.41
Lowell Electric Lt. Corp.
155.88
203.68
47.80
Total Income
$135,886.69
$126,152.11
$ 9,734.58
Expenses
Manufacturing
$ 52,738.98
$ 56,187.74
$ 3,448.76
Distribution
24,603.15
17,235.95
7,367.20
Overhead
12,013.45
13,261.24
1,247.79
Miscellaneous
4,431.20
3,731.24
699.96
Total Expenses
93,786.78
90,416.17
3,370.61
Net Profit on Sales
42,099.91
35,735.94
6,363.97
$135,886.69
$126,152.11
$ 9,734.58
Detail of Expenses
1921
1920
Increase or Decrease
Fuel
$ 33,654.23
$ 37,431.98
$ 3,777.75
Oils and Waste
210.13
102.69
107.44
Water for Power
89.00
74.75
14.25
227
Wages at Station
16,912.76
16,487.77
424.99
Repairs Building
296.56
103.78
192.78
Repairs Steam Plant
621.92
931.17
309.25
Repairs Electric Plant
240.22
457.40
217.18
Station Tools & Expense
714.16
598.20
115.96
Manufacturing Expense ...
52,738.98
56,187.74
3,448.76
C-o Meters and Commer. Lights
2,368.39
2,508.23
139.84
C-o Street Lights
3,492.51
2,145.34
1,347.17
Repairs Street Lines & Wires
12,868.30
7,417.87
5,450.43
Repairs Transformers & Meters
756.55
590.50
166.05
Dist. Tools and Expense
435.31
221.09
214.22
Garage Expense
4,532.09
4,202.92
329.17
Rent of Stock Room
150.00
150.00
0.00
Distribution Expense
24,603.15
17,235.95
7,367.20
Salaries of Light Board
225.00
225.00
0.00
General Salaries & Clerk Hire
9,118.18
9,579.70
461.52
Light Board Expense
178.01
143.38
34.63
General Office Expense
2,492.26
3,313.16
820.90
Overhead Expense
12,013.45
13,261.24
1,247.79
Insurance
3,761.87
3,266.20
495.67
Taxes
650.29
465.04
185.25
Legal
19.04
0.00
19.04
Miscellaneous Expense
4,431.20
3,731.24
699.96
Total Expenses
... $ 93,786.78
$ 90,416.17
$ 3,370.61
·
Profit & Loss Account
1921
1920
Increase or Decrease
Add :
Balance from Operations .. $ 42,099.91
$ 35,735.94
$ 6,363.97
Loss from Jobbing
846.43
239.89
1,086.32
Interest recd., Bank Bal'ces
114.20
283.08
168.88
Premium on Bonds
105.00
571.69
466.69
$ 41,472.68
$ 36,830.60
$ 4,642.08
228
Deduct :
Bonds Paid
$ 13,000.00
$ 12,000.00
$ 1,000.00
Notes Paid
6,300.00
6,300.00
0.00
Bond and Note Interest
7,423.10
7,850.70
427.60
Bond Expense
10.85
52.18
41.33
Depreciation Allowed
16,767.55
15,507.13
1,260.42
Bad Debts charged off
477.84
288.91
188.93
Balance to Surplus
2,506.66
5,168.32
2,661.66
$ 41,472.68
$ 36,830.60
$ 4,642.08
Surplus Account
Surplus Jan. 1st, 1921 & 1920 ..
$ 1,306.59
$ 3,861.73
$ 5,168.32
Add: Bal. to surplus (12 mos.)
2,506.66
5,168.32
2,661.66
Surplus Jan. 1st, 1922 & 1921 ..
$ 3,813.25
1,306.59
2,506.66
r'
BONDS
No. of
Issue
Date Issue
Original Amount
Payments on Principal
Rate of Interest
Date Int. Pay.
Purpose
Amt. outstand- ing 12-31-1921
1st
10- 1-94
$ 50,000.00
$1,000 yearly 10 years $2,000 yearly 20 years
4 90
April Oct.
Establishing Plant
$ 6,000.00
2nd
10- 1-07
26,000.00
$1,000 yearly 26 years
41/2%
Apr .- Oct.
Additions
12,000.00
3rd
7- 5-11
20,000.00
$2,000 yearly 10 years
4
Jan .- July
Wilmington Lines
0.00
4th
10-15-13
23,500.00
$1,500 yearly Oct. 15
41/4%
Apr .- Oct.
Station
11,500.00
5th
9-15-14
8,000.00
$ 500 yearly Sept. 15
41/2%
Mar .- Sept.
Reading
4,500.00
6th
5-15-16
10,000.00
$ 500 yearly May 15
4 %
May-Nov.
New Construction
7,500.00
,
7th
10- 1-17
55,000.00
$3,000 yearly Oct. 1
41/2%
Apr .- Oct.
Additions
43,000.00
BONDS (Continued)
8th
1- 1-19
12,000.00
$1,000 yearly 4 years
$ 500 yearly
16 years
41/2%
Jan .- July
Additions
10,000.00
9th
4- 1-19
20,000.00
$1,000 yearly
Apr. 1
43/4%
Apr .- Oct.
Additions
18,000.00
10th
5- 1-20
20,000.00
$1,000 yearly May 1
5
May-Nov.
Additions
19,000.00
11th
7- 1-21
7,000.00
$1,000 yearly July 1
6 %
Additions
7,000.00
$251,500.00
$138,500.00
NOTES
No. of Issue
Date of Issue
Original Amount
Payment on Principal
Rate of Interest
Date Int. Payable
Purpose
Amount out- standing 12-31-21
8th
9-27-10
$12,000.00
$1,000 yearly Mar. 27
4
%
3-27 & 9-27
No. Reading Lines
$ 4,000.00
10th
4-16-13
13,500.00
1500 yearly Apr. 16
41/4%
4-16 & 10-16
New Construction
1,500.00
11th
5-15-15
12,000.00
800 yearly May 15
4 %
5-15 & 11-15
New Construction
7,200.00
12th
7-15-15
4,000.00
500 yearly July 15
4 %
1-15 & 7-15
Reading
1,000.00
13th
9-22-17
6,500.00
500 yearly Sept. 22
5 %
3-22 & 9-22
New Construction
4,500.00
14th
11-20-19
3,000.00
1,500 yearly Nov. 20
41/2%
5-20 & 11-20
New Construction
0.00
$51,000.00
$18,200.00
·
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING
For the Year Ending December 31 1921
234
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Walter S. Parker, Ch., 55 Walnut St.
Leone F. Quimby, 25 Howard St.
Term expires 1923 Term expires 1923
Mrs. Elizabth H. Brown, 83 Prospect St.
Term expires 1924
Henry Q. Millet, 59 Linden St.
Term expires 1924
Mrs. Ruth A. Lumsden, 116 Summer Ave. Jesse W. Morton, 114 Woburn St.
Term expires 1922 Term expires 1922
Superintendent of Schools
Adelbert L. Safford
8 Middlesex Ave.
Office High School. Hours: School days, 8.30 to 9.30 A. M.
Attendance Officer
Edwin L. Hutchinson, 6 Grove St.
Office, 187 Main Street
School Physician
Charles R. Henderson, M. D.
126 Woburn Street
School Nurse
Mabel M. Brown, R. N.
53 Fourth St., Medford
Janitors
High School, Clement Gleason, 64 Orange St. $1,300.00 High School Matron, Ara A. Pratt, 29 Orange St. 1,040.00
Highland School, Jesse N. Hutchinson, 79 Bancroft Ave 1,300.00
Grouard House, Wm. Killam, 15 Locust St. 127.50 Grouard House, Myrtle Mansfield, 98 Pearl St. 100.00
Center School, David W. Pigueron, 88 Orange St. 1,040.00
Union St. School, David W. Pigueron, 88 Orange St.
Lowell St. School, Arthur J. Condry, 27 Hancock St.
1,040.00
Prospect St. School, Arthur J. Condry, 27 Hancock St. Chestnut Hill School, Harry S. Lovejoy, 47 Hopkins St. 520.00
235
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Walter S. Parker, Chairman
Adelbert L. Safford, Secretary
Sub-Committees W. S. Parker, Chairman, is member ex-officio of each sub-committee
L. F. Quimby
Finances and Accounts H. Q. Millett J. W. Morton
Books and Supplies
Mrs. Ruth A. Lumsden
J. W. Morton
H. Q. Millett
School Houses and Property J. W. Morton L. F. Quimby
Rules and Regulations
Mrs. Elizabeth H. Brown L. F. Quimby
H. Q. Millett
Teachers and Salaries
L. F. Quimby
J. W. Morton
Music and Drawing
Mrs. Ruth A. Lumsden J. W. Morton
Mrs. Elizabeth H. Brown
Course of Study
L. Quimby
Mrs. Ruth A. Lumsden J. W. Morton
236
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1921
To the Citizens of Reading:
In accordance with custom and legal requirements, the School Com- mittee renders herewith a report of the management of the public schools during the year nineteen twenty-one. The commission conferred upon members of the School Committee by the electorate is one of importance. The future well-being and prosperity of our children is dependent upon the wise administration of our schools. In last year's report we quoted from the address of Governor Cox delivered at the opening of the legis- lature, setting forth at some length how "to a peculiar extent the eco- nomic as well as the political and social welfare of the Commonwealth depends on education." We would again take the liberty of making a quotation from the governor's address at the opening of the legislature this year :
"The people of Massachusetts have always recognized the basic and essential importance of education. Upon its healthy condition rests in large measure the hope of the continued welfare of the Commonwealth. It is gratifying, therefore, to be able to record the recent progress that has been made in the field of public education. Legislation en- acted at recent sessions of the General Court has increased the funds available for the support of schools; has tended to equalize the cost of education; and has resulted in more adequate compensation for teachers. Provision has also been made for raising standards of teacher-training and for im- proving the status of the teacher .. Among the prac- tical and beneficial results of the active interest of the people in education and of the legislation which has been en- acted are to be noted the increase in the average salary of our teachers from $744 in 1910 to $1,486 in 1920."
Reading, in advancing its teachers' salaries, has been doing only its part in common with the other towns and cities of the Commonwealth. The present salaries may be a little less than some or a little more than others but are certainly moderate in comparison with those paid in other towns with which we may be appropriately compared.
Co-operation of Parents
The interest which many parents are showing in the Parent-Teacher Associations is a hopeful sign and very encouraging to the teachers. As
237
parents we sometimes forget our responsibilities for the development of our children in the early years of their childhood. The great French philosopher, M. Victor Cousin, said, "Give me the child for his first five years and I will mark out his destiny." While this may not be wholly true, it is certainly partly so. There is one thing we may be sure of, the spirit of obedience and co-operation can be cultivated in the child during his earliest years. Solomon declared in his Proverbs "Train up a child in the way he should go and even when he is old he will not de- part from it." The emphasis should be placed on "train."
School Budget
The attention of the citizens of the town is respectfully directed to the financial report and the estimates made for the requirements of the schools for 1922. The superintendent in his report has called attention to the fact that the cost of our schools is moderate in comparison with other towns in the group having over 5,000 inhabitants. The sub-com- mittee having the matter in charge has made a detailed study of the ex- penditures of the last few years and has prepared the budget of 1922 with a thorough knowledge of the requirements of the schools. They have scrutinized each item with a view to effecting economies so far as pos- sible without seriously impairing the education imparted to the pupils. The maximum salaries for teachers remain the same as in 1921. Consid- erable increases in the number of pupils in the Junior High School and in the Senior High School make some additions to the corps of teachers imperative. The Committee is asking for no more this year than they deem essential to maintain the present standards. Any less sum would necessitate lowering the quality of the education to be given. In con- sidering the amount appropriated by the town for schools it is necessary to bear in mind that over one-eighth of the amount is returned to the treasury in receipts for tuition, re-imbursements and payments from the State for teachers' salaries.
Agricultural Department
Reading is justly proud of its agricultural education. Visitors from far and near, including many foreign countries, have come to inspect it and have uniformly expressed admiration for the equipment, the meth- ods, and the results obtained. According to the report of the State Department of Education, the sum earned by the pupils of the Reading department in 1920 was the largest of any of the fifteen High Schools departments then in operation in Massachusetts, in fact the Reading pupils earned over one-seventh of the entire earnings of the fifteen de- partments. The average earnings per pupil in 1921 were even larger than in 1920, amounting to about $400 for each pupil enrolled.
At the present time the Reading department has the largest enroll- ment in its history. In addition to twenty High School pupils, the stand- ard number, eight service men are enrolled, making a total of 28. I
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.