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Chief of Police
116
Revolver license fees
ANNUAL REPORT
of
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE of
The Town of Reading, Massachusetts
for the year ended December 31, 1957
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
Robert E. Turner, Chairman, 78 Middlesex Ave.
Term expires 1960
William E. Burpee, 178 Wakefield St.
Newell H. Morton, 198 Woburn St.
"
" 1959
Philip R. White, 189 Summer Ave.
1959
Paul R. Bergholtz, 20 Puritan Rd.
",
1958
Mrs. Barbara Winkler, 52 Pearl St.
1958
School Committee Office
High School Building
62 Oakland Road
RE 2-0180 and RE 2-2384
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During summer vacation 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Superintendent of Schools
Robert F. Perry
22 Dudley Street
Secretary to the Superintendent
Mae A. Tanner
26 Mineral Street
Clerks in School Committee Office
Irene E. Reichardt Norma C. Walsh
90 Vine Street 10 Temple Street
School Physician
Dr. Robert W. Wakeling
60 Lowell Street
Supervisor of Maintenance
Roderick E. Macdonald
11 John Carver Road
Supervisor of Cafeterias
Lois Connor
268 Franklin Street
Attendance Officer
Robert A. Grundy
25 Lewis Street or 74 Haven Street
118
"
1960
RETIRED
RUDOLF SUSSMANN
Teacher and Principal
1917 Appointed Teacher in Reading High School 1924 Appointed Principal - Reading High School 1957 Retired as Headmaster - Reading High School
ALBERTA F. DRURY
Teacher of Bookkeeping Reading High School
Appointed 1917
Retired 1957
MARGARET E. TYACKE
Teacher of Physical Education
Walter S. Parker Junior High School
Appointed 1926 Retired 1957
MYRTLE W. TILTON
Secretary to the Headmaster Reading High School
Appointed 1926 Retired 1957
119
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Reading:
The School Committee herewith submits its annual report.
Baptism by fire opened the year 1957-58 for the Reading School Committee. An hour, or possibly an hour and a half, after the Com- mittee had met to reorganize following the annual Town election, the office telephone began to peal and the terrifying news was that the Highland School was all ablaze. It was immediately moved that the meeting adjourn and go see how serious the fire was. Thus the year started more dramatically than anyone could wish. As the members of the Committee watched the flames crackling in the whole east wing of the building and leaping out through the roof, two thoughts occurred to all of us: "How fortunate that this happened at night and not during the daytime when there were children in the building!", and "What are we going to do with all these Highland School children?". Due to a tremendous effort on the part of our Superintendent, principals and staff, the Committee, when it met the night after the fire, was able to approve well-organized plans for the temporary housing of the Highland School pupils. One week from the date of the fire the Town observed the smooth and orderly move to a double-session sched- ule at the Pearl Street School. The people of Reading can be very proud of a staff in both schools which made such a transition possible with a minimum of confusion and lost time for the children.
In the meantime the Committee was faced with the problem of repairing the Highland School. Arrangements were made for the Birch Meadow School Building Committee to add this additional burden to their already heavy responsibility in supervising the construction of a large new elementary school building. Not until some time later was it generally realized how extensive the damage had been and, consequently, how extensive the repairs would have to be. In fact, the Highland School has had quite a complete face-lifting and when it reopened January 2, 1958, was without doubt in better condition from an educational standpoint than when it was originally opened back in 1896. The School Committee extends its sincere thanks for the work done by the Birch Meadow School Building Committee in both the Highland and Birch Meadow Schools.
The second big milestone in the year was marked by the fall opening of the Birch Meadow School, Reading's fourth large elementary school. This building provides beautiful, modern housing on a lovely wooded site and is a valuable addition to our facilities. As always with the opening of a large new school, it was necessary to redistrict the whole town. This shifting around of the school population from one building to another is becoming a fairly routine part of the admin- istration's problem. For the first time in several years we now have sixth grades in elementary buildings, where they belong. Every effort is made to keep hardship, both real and imagined, to a minimum but buildings can't be moved and bus costs can't be skyrocketed indefi- nitely. Perhaps this would be a good place to point out that the actual
120
building where a child attends school is not so important as the teach- ers he has every day. Here again we should cite further evidence of the loyalty and devotion of our teaching staff. The opening of the Birch Meadow School was delayed two weeks after the opening of other schools in town, but the principal and staff met daily during this period to make complete plans and iron out as many difficulties as possible in advance. As a result, when this school did open, it did so with practically none of the disorder which school people usually anticipate in connection with the opening of a new building.
Two other major additions to our plant have been completed during the year, the football field and the practice field. It is hoped that with the further development of Birch Meadow and the improved facilities for a well-rounded physical education program, the whole student body of the High School will benefit.
One of the most important changes in the personnel of the Read- ing schools took place in the High School. The Committee faced with regret the retirement of Rudolf Sussmann as principal after many years in the school. Early in the year the Committee began to receive ap- plications for the position. After much thought and discussion, William W. Rodgers was appointed to the position. Mr. Rodgers comes to us with the finest record and recommendations and has been gradually getting acquainted with the school and the town and developing some of his own ideas about education at the high school level.
The School Committee's problems might well be divided into three major fields: plant, curriculum, and staff. We have already dealt with the plant. Curriculum will be discussed by the principals in a subdivision of this report. The third and most critical problem re- mains staff because only as long as we are able to recruit and keep good teachers will we be able to offer the children of Reading the kind of superior education they are going to need in a world of cold wars and Sputniks. There is little comfort in the fact that Reading is not alone in facing this problem. All over the country school committees are wrestling with it and hoping to beat it. The Superintendent and principals are constantly looking for qualified teachers and trying to lure them to Reading by one means or another. Salary, of course, is the number one drawing card which will attract teachers to any com- munity. Last year a salary study was conducted by a committee made up of representatives from the School Committee, the Finance Com- mittee and the Teachers Club. Much concrete information was gath- ered together and broken down for reference purposes, but the most important result of the study was the increased understanding among the different groups for the very real problems facing each. The great lack in this study was a new approach to the whole problem of teach- ers' salaries. The School Committee feels that the time has come when the whole policy of setting salary schedules must be reexamined and a more modern and realistic approach made. The implications involved in such a move are enormous for all concerned. Developing such a policy will be slow and require much careful thought, since it could no doubt mean a major break with tradition. The School Committee, however, is convinced that such a study should be made
121
with the object of establishing a more equitable schedule. We haven't the time to wait for a ready-made solution to come from a neighboring town or to be handed down by some government agency. We must set about working out our own answers and try to come up with a basic philosophy which will permit us to attract and hold qualified teachers. The citizens of Reading may well ponder these questions and decide how important is the education of their children. The School Committee considers it one of the major problems facing our country today.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT E. TURNER, Chairman
PAUL R. BERGOLTZ
WILLIAM E. BURPEE
NEWELL H. MORTON
PHILIP R. WHITE
BARBARA E. WINKLER
SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET - 1957
Appropriations, Transfers & Refunds 1957
SALARIES:
Expended 1957
$ 46,407.32
Supt., Clerks and Enf. of Law
$ 45,027.01
21,166.66
Directors
22,079.24
1,400.00
Misc. Salaries of Instruction
896.37
31,724.98
Principals
34,382.98
603,246.66
Teachers
596,976.84
78,831.10
Custodians and Matrons
76,604.40
10,501.80
Health
10,547.64
$793,278.52
$786,514.48
MAINTENANCE:
$ 1,000.00
Supt. Office Expense
$ 1,219.77
300.00
Research and Prof. Study
300.00
1,000.00
Printing
1,097.02
400.00
Travel Expense
470.96
800.00
Prin. Office Expenses
830.23
3,200.00
Telephone
3,012.90
150.00
Travel Expense - Enf. of Law
150.00
$ 6,850.00
Total General Control
$ 7,080.88
INSTRUCTION:
$ 1,000.00
Travel Exp. Directors and Prin.
$ 815.72
16,350.00
Textbooks and Supplementary Books
14,446.52
12,700.00
Supplies - School
12,489.37
2,500.00
Supplies - Shop
2,563.12
1,000.00
Supplies - Dom. Science
759.83
122
1,785.00 1,200.00
Physical Ed Equipment
962.44
850.00
Tests
926.93
Instructional Apparatus
7,240.55
Express Charges
123.83
$ 44,030.10
Total Instruction
$ 41,054.15
OPERATION OF PLANT:
Fuel
$ 25,377.44
2,000.00
Water and Sewer
1,632.56
14,000.00
Electricity
12,892.64
550.00
Gas
492.08
300.00
Laundry and Summer Cleaning
326.45
600.00
Ash Removal
354.75
400.00
Exp. of Supr. of Bldgs. and Grounds
514.51
7,000.00
Janitors' Supplies
6,942.69
$ 51,850.00
Total Operation of Plant
$ 48,533.12
MAINTENANCE OF PLANT:
Grounds
$ 6,546.46
8,762.00
Buildings
13,902.19
540.00
Service System
840.58
3,835.00
Plumbing and Heating
3,822.82
110.00
Furniture Repair
648.69
$ 19,709.00
Total Maintenance of Plant $ 25,760.74
AUXILIARY AGENCIES:
Library
$ 1,868.43
600.00
Health Expenses
622.22
400.00
Commencement
464.01
$ 3,500.00
Total Auxiliary Agencies
$ 2,954.66
CAPITAL OUTLAY:
$ 200.00
New Equipment and Furniture
$ 621.92
$126,139.10
Total General Maintenance
$126,005.47
793,278.52
Total Salaries
Transferred to Transportation
788,278.52
786,514.48
$914,417.62
Grand Total
$912,519.95
33,836.00
Transportation
5.000.00
Transferred from Salaries
38,836.00
37,051.20
3,000.00
Vocational Tuition
2,836.16
Athletic Account
10,500.00
10,500.00
3.075.00
Cafeteria
3,075.00
123
6,495.10 150.00
Audio - Visual
725.84
$ 27,000.00
$ 6,462.00
$ 2,500.00
5,000.00
with the object of establishing a more equitable schedule. We haven't the time to wait for a ready-made solution to come from a neighboring town or to be handed down by some government agency. We must set about working out our own answers and try to come up with a basic philosophy which will permit us to attract and hold qualified teachers. The citizens of Reading may well ponder these questions and decide how important is the education of their children. The School Committee considers it one of the major problems facing our country today.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT E. TURNER, Chairman
PAUL R. BERGOLTZ
WILLIAM E. BURPEE
NEWELL H. MORTON
PHILIP R. WHITE
BARBARA E. WINKLER
SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET - 1957
Appropriations, Transfers & Refunds 1957
SALARIES:
Expended 1957
$ 46,407.32
Supt., Clerks and Enf. of Law
$ 45,027.01
21,166.66
Directors
22,079.24
1,400.00
Misc. Salaries of Instruction
896.37
31,724.98
Principals
34,382.98
603,246.66
Teachers
596,976.84
78,831.10
Custodians and Matrons
76,604.40
10,501.80
Health
10,547.64
$793,278.52
$786,514.48
$
1,000.00
Supt. Office Expense
$ 1,219.77
300.00
Research and Prof. Study
300.00
1,000.00
Printing
1,097.02
400.00
Travel Expense
470.96
800.00
Prin. Office Expenses
830.23
3,200.00
Telephone
3,012.90
150.00
Travel Expense - Enf. of Law
150.00
$ 6,850.00
Total General Control
$ 7,080.88
INSTRUCTION:
$ 1,000.00
Travel Exp. Directors and Prin.
$ 815.72
16,350.00
Textbooks and Supplementary Books
14,446.52
12,700.00
Supplies - School
12,489.37
2,500.00
Supplies - Shop
2,563.12
1,000.00
Supplies - Dom. Science
759.83
122
MAINTENANCE:
1,785.00
Audio - Visual
725.84
1,200.00
Physical Ed Equipment
962.44
850.00
Tests
926.93
Instructional Apparatus
7,240.55
150.00
Express Charges
123.83
$ 44,030.10
Total Instruction
$ 41,054.15
OPERATION OF PLANT:
Fuel
$ 25,377.44
2,000.00
Water and Sewer
1,632.56
14,000.00
Electricity
12,892.64
550.00
Gas
492.08
300.00
Laundry and Summer Cleaning
326.45
600.00
Ash Removal
354.75
400.00
Exp. of Supr. of Bldgs. and Grounds
514.51
7,000.00
Janitors' Supplies
6,942.69
$ 51,850.00
Total Operation of Plant
$ 48,533.12
MAINTENANCE OF PLANT:
Grounds
$ 6,546.46
8,762.00
Buildings
13,902.19
540.00
Service System
840.58
3,835.00
Plumbing and Heating
3,822.82
110.00
Furniture Repair
648.69
$ 19,709.00
Total Maintenance of Plant $ 25,760.74
AUXILIARY AGENCIES:
Library
$ 1,868.43
600.00
Health Expenses
622.22
400.00
Commencement
464.01
$ 3,500.00
Total Auxiliary Agencies
$ 2,954.66
CAPITAL OUTLAY:
$ 200.00
New Equipment and Furniture
$ 621.92
$126,139.10
Total General Maintenance
$126,005.47
793,278.52
Total Salaries
5,000.00
Transferred to Transportation
788,278.52
786,514.48
$914,417.62
Grand Total
$912,519.95
33,836.00
Transportation
5.000.00
Transferred from Salaries
38,836.00
37,051.20
3,000.00
Vocational Tuition
2,836.16
Athletic Account
10,500.00
10,500.00
3.075.00
Cafeteria
3,075.00
123
6,495.10
$ 27,000.00
$ 6,462.00
$ 2,500.00
modated on a reasonable teacher-pupil ratio without extending our costs for transportation which are already excessive. Pupils were dis- tributed to buildings as follows.
School
Grades
Rooms
Enrollment
Lowell Street School
1-4
4
107
Prospect Street School
1-4
4
122
Pearl Street School
1-6
15
420
Highland School
1-6
13
438
Joshua Eaton School
1-6
18
535
Birch Meadow School
1-6
18
467
Junior High School
7-8
18
486
Senior High School
9-12
42
1000
Special Education
1
10
Staff
With the opening of a new elementary school it was necessary to add eight new teachers to our teaching staff. There were 31 resigna- tions at various grade levels for reasons as follows:
To other school systems
13
Not reappointed
4
Left teaching
6
Marriage, maternity, travel
5
Retirement
3
Acting upon the recommendations of the State Department of Edu- cation, and under special Acts passed by the General Court, the School Committee appointed Mr. William O'Keefe to the position of Youth Adjustment Counselor. Mr. O'Keefe works with children of the ele- mentary school age, grades one through eight.
Three respected members of our staff retired during the year, after long and faithful service to the Reading School Department.
1. Mr. Rudolf Sussmann, Principal of the Senior High School - 1917 to 1957 - 40 years.
2. Mrs. Margaret Tyacke, teacher of Physical Education and English, Junior High School - 1926 to 1957 - 31 years.
3. Miss Alberta Drury, teacher in the Commercial Department of Reading High School - 1917 to 1957 - 40 years.
As the number of qualified teachers continues to be in short supply in the face of increased demands, it becomes more difficult each year to recruit new personnel for the teaching staff. This problem requires the combined effort of all the principals and the superintendent over a period of several months and is a time-consuming process. In this connection, it should be noted that salaries are not always the deter- mining factor in securing new teachers. The fact that Reading has a reputation for having good schools and is located close to the Boston area proves to be helpful in this situation, since many teachers desire to work in a community which is within easy commuting distance of the many educational and cultural opportunities that exist in this metro-
126
politan area. However, in these times of inflation and high cost of living our salaries must be at a level which compares favorably with other surrounding towns. At present there is no stability in the whole salary structure for teachers either here in New England or other parts of the nation. For the past two years, the legislature has established by law the minimum annual salary which must be paid to a teacher- first at a level of $3000 in 1956, then $3300, effective in September 1957. There are bills now filed which, if enacted by the General Court, will establish new minimum salaries for teachers in the Commonwealth at $4000. For this reason, all communities are faced with the problem of revising their salary schedules annually and making necessary salary adjustments for all teaching personnel. Considering the overall prob- lems of financing all the requests, services and programs of capital outlay which face the Town of Reading, it may well be that certain priorities will have to be placed on items of capital outlay and that salary adjustments which may be decided upon may have to be spread over a period of more than one year. Furthermore, there are many people who are not happy or satisfied with the existing, traditional approach to teacher salary schedules. If there is to be a new look at this problem with the idea that any schedule of salaries should attract qualified people and at the same time make provision for re- warding competent and outstanding teachers on the basis of merit, then considerable study should be given as to how such a schedule would be administered. This study in its initial stage can well be the responsibility of our administrative staff with the help of School Committee members.
Instructional Program
In a rapidly changing world, schools must constantly reappraise and evaluate the program of instruction. This work goes on in our schools under the direction of the supervising principals and special supervisors. Reference to the reports of the principals indicate that we have made some progress particularly in the areas of Science, Art, Music and Guidance in the elementary schools. During the latter part of this year much has been written and said about the work of the American public schools. There is widespread concern that our schools are not placing the proper emphasis on those subjects which are vital if we are to supply the necessary manpower to develop the missiles, satellites, and gadgets for the new world of space. It is entirely a good thing for the people to become concerned about the education of their children, particularly if they are intent upon seeing to it that their children make the most of the educational op- portunities that are provided by the schools. America has committed itself to a program of Secondary Education for all the pupils of all the people, not alone for those who wish to prepare themselves for further education at the college level. It is not likely that the people will wish to abandon this program in favor of a limited offering that serves but one objective. After all, the society and standards of living and government in the free world of today have their foundations
127
built upon the principles, ideals and thought that have come from the liberal arts. Mathematics and science must continue to receive considerable emphasis throughout the twelve years of schooling pro- vided by the public. This is being done in the Reading Schools.
If the Reading School Department operates with some measure of success in fulfilling the purposes for which it exists, then this suc- cess is the result of the efforts, hard work, devotion to duty and self sacrifice of many individuals - 222 of them, in fact - teachers, super- visors, administrators, secretaries, nurses, doctors and custodians. Dur- ing the year many organizations, parents and interested citizens assist us in our work.
School Committee members receive little recognition. In my po- sition, I know a great deal about their personal sacrifice, hard work and serious purpose in attempting to deal with the variety of problems presented to them for decision and action. These people represent democracy in action at its best.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT F. PERRY, Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF MAINTENANCE WORK Completed during year 1957
Mr. Roderick Macdonald, Supervisor of Maintenance
With one or two exceptions, all items in the school budget under Grounds, Buildings, Service System, Plumbing and Heating, and Furni- ture Repair were completed. One painting job was done by a con- tractor and all other painting in the schools was done by custodians and summer help.
For the amount of money, equipment and help available the grounds are improved over a year ago as far as general appearance. However, the care of grounds is the weakest part of the maintenance program.
The list of items includes budget items, school safety items under an article passed by the Town Meeting to cover requirements of Public Safety Department and maintenance and repair items that develop through the year.
Because of two resignations and the building of a new school it was necessary to hire new custodians. We were fortunate to be able to get exceptionally good men. All schools are in excellent con- dition except the Lowell Street Schcol. The credit for the fine con- dition of our schools belongs to the custodians.
Senior High School
Shower rods and curtains in coaches' shower-room Mat hooks in gymnasium Music room cabinet shelves removed and new partitions installed Storage shelves under cafeteria
Fluorescent light fixtures installed under cafeteria
128
4 grilles installed in makeup rooms to take care of condensation
Installed grilles in gymnasium folding doors to take care of conden- sation
Electric outlet installed under auditorium seats Installed hooks and wires in cafeteria for fastening decorations
Kitchen pig installed in pre-rinse sink in cafeteria
Gland replaced on Nash centrifugal pump in boiler room New chalkboards installed in Room 114 and music room Window shades in Rooms 105, 106, 107, 12. and 212
41/2 tons fertilizer and 5 bales peat moss used on grounds Iron nipples replaced with brass in crawl spaces Blowoffs on boilers piped to drains
12 shower rods and curtains in girls' shower room
Installed clock in girls' shower room
New steel goal posts in new football field Astragals on roof doors
Lock cylinders keyed by departments: Boys' gymnasium, girls' gym- nasium, science, mathematics, commercial and shop
5 blackout shades in upper library - Room 119
New storage area under gymnasium floor - floor, door and driveway
Painting
Ceiling of dressing and makeup rooms
Outside areaway grilles
Lines on parking space
Interior smoke doors, stair risers, classroom outside doors All exterior doors
Exterior lally columns and railings
Goal posts
New Equipment
Kitchen pig
7' Triplex National mower
10' magnesium stepladder
40' magnesium extension ladder
Junior High School
Installed outlet for new refrigerator in cafeteria
New smoke doors installed in basement corridor
Tile ceiling installed in Mechanical Drawing Room
Installed new door from basement corridor to football field; remounted door check
Made and installed 48 locker room bench bases and made new tops Repaired door jamb and remounted door check on King Street basement door
Repaired door and lock at Temple Street entrance
24 lights of wired glass replaced in girls' shower room
Girls' locker and shower rooms repainted
Window shades in Rooms 202, 203, Office, 4 on south side of auditorium balcony
129
Blackout curtains in Room 205
11% tons fertilizer spread on field and lawns.
Trimmed shrubbery and trees
Used weed control under bleachers and around fence and on poison ivy New gaskets on fan motor oil gauges
Replaced 30 bleacher planks
New dry wall and cork bulletin boards in Rooms 102 and 202
Radiator in Mechanical Drawing Room installed
Loamed and seeded low spots on lower athletic field
Capped flue in chimney
Replaced bolts in all lockers
Installed 2 new gymnasium exit doors, panic bars and door checks Installed new exit door from boys' locker room, panic bars, door checks and locks
Replaced broken wire glass in basement fire partition.
Painting
Bike racks
Girls' locker and shower room
Art Room walls
One wall in Room 101
One wall in Room 102
New Equipment
8' magnesium stepladder
18" Excello rotary mower
Country flag set
11 cu. ft. G.E. refrigerator for Home Economics Room New refrigerator for Cafeteria
Birch Meadow School
Installed basketball backboards
Stainless steel plates under soap dispensers
Installed fire extinguishers
Racks and hooks for custodians' equipment
Painted floor of storage loft
Hooks for mats in gymnasium installed Teachers' mail box for office constructed and mounted
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