USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1961 > Part 9
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Under the continuous capable supervision of Mr. John Pacino, our superintendent, and his fine staff of assistants, our summer program was full, and well attended daily, at the play periods, designated by our schedule, and also at our special events such as the Stagemobile, Final Carnival, and trips outside the town.
Each year our program grows, and the attendance parallels its en- thusiasm. An important addition this past year has been the participa- tion in the regional program for Retarded Children. It is a program worthy of your continued support.
Our winter program, although limited this year in its scope, by weather conditions, and other limitations, manages to stumble along. Our hope, is to improve in the year to come.
It is our wish that further upgrading of our playgrounds and their facilities shall continue, as in the past.
To the many Town Departments who have given their cooperation, many thanks for a job well done.
To the excellent coverage, by the local press, and to the volunteers who have made our program a bit easier, we extend our humble ap- preciation.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. WILLSON, JR., Chairman
H. LEE DONLEY, Secretary ALBERT CHISHOLM EDWARD PALMER PHILIP ALTHOFF NEWELL MORTON
HERBERT RIXON DONALD TEEL WILLIAM WATT
98
ANNUAL REPORT of
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE of The Town of Reading, Massachusetts
for the year ending December 31, 1961
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mr. Newell H. Morton, 198 Woburn Street Dr. Henry M. Paynter, 132 West Street Mr. Edward W. Palmer, 45 Pratt Street Mr. Stanley I. Robinson, 273 Pearl Street Dr. Donald R. Walker. 33 Edgemont Avenue Mrs. Barbara E. Winkler, 52 Pearl Street
Term Expires 1962
"
1962
1963
"
1963
"
1964
1964
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Robert F. Perry
22 Dudley Street
Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools Supervisor of Maintenance
Mr. Roderick E. Macdonald
11 John Carver Road
School Committee Office Reading Memorial High School Building 62 Oakland Road
Office Hours - Monday through Friday - 8.00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. During Summer Vacation - 8:00 to 4:00 Telephones - 944-0180 and 944-5220
Mae A. Tanner Anna G. Freeman Norma C. Walsh
Executive Secretary School Committee Accountant Payroll Supervisor
Supervisor of Cafeterias
Mrs. Lois C. Piper
268 Franklin Street
School Physician
Dr. Robert W. Wakeling
60 Lowell Street
100
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Reading:
The following School Committee report summarizes some of the highlights of activities during 1961. More detailed information con- cerning the operation of your School Department is contained in the individual reports of the Superintendent, Supervising Principals, and Directors.
Educational
Several changes to the curriculum and teaching methods of the Reading school system have been adopted during 1961 and more are planned for the near future. Some courses at Reading Memorial High School are being conducted for the first time according to the lecture- recitation approach commonly used at the university level. The length of the high school day has been increased by 30 minutes, and the de- sirability of similar increases at the elementary and junor high levels is being studied.
French will be offered at the seventh grade level to follow-up and build on the elementary school courses which make use of the Channel 2 television series. To accomplish better utilization of library material and establish more effective student use of the library, full time librar- ian positions have been established for the Parker and Coolidge schools.
Your committee has continued its participation in the special study concerning the establishment of a regional technical-vocational high school for towns and cities in the northeast section of the metropolitan area. Approval for Reading to participate formally in this study was re- quested and obtained at the special Town Meeting in June.
Personnel
The following six teachers were appointed to the newly created career leadership program which is concerned with the development and improvement of curriculum and instructional effectiveness: Mr. Stanley Butcher, Mrs. Ann Howe, Miss Hazel Percy, Mr. Arthur Spencer, Mrs. Helen Stockwell, and Dr. Helen Zimmerman.
A new faculty salary schedule was adopted for the school year 1962-63 in order to provide increases for the more experienced teachers. A ratio system was created to determine salaries of Supervising Princi- pals. A merit plan was adopted for custodial salaries.
The special salary study committee under the leadership of Mr. John Harker has continued its exploration of concepts for defining a new salary structure for the school department professional staff.
Facilities
The new Arthur W. Coolidge Junior High School was occupied on March 10. An open house was held at the new school on March 26, 1961, and it is planned to conduct formal dedication exercises in the spring of 1962.
101
The second year of the planned three year Walter S. Parker Junior High School renovation program was completed partly with town ap- propriated funds and partly with Federal funds obtained under PL 874. For the final year of the program it is anticipated that only PL 874 funds will be required.
Classroom space continues to lag behind the growing school popu- lation. Currently it is necessary to house a sixth grade in each of the junior high schools, and the cafeteria of the Joshua Eaton School has been converted into a first grade classroom. Accordingly, it is planned to request from the 1962 Town Meeting the establishment of a commit- tee with funds to develop plans for a new elementary school to be con- structed on the Glen Meadow site, with actual construction anticipated for 1963. Looking further ahead, your School Committee expects similar plans will be needed in 1966 for a school on either the Haverhill or Franklin Street sites, with construction to be accomplished in 1967.
Other Highlights
The Reading Teachers Club has continued its fine program of bringing the New England Opera Company to Reading for the third consecutive year.
Mr. James Aldrich, of the Reading Memorial High School faculty, was granted a leave-of-absence to participate in an exchange teaching arrangement with Mr. Lawrence McIntosh, of Inverell, Australia, who is currently teaching here for the 1961-62 school year.
The summer school and high school driver education programs have been placed on a self-sustaining basis by charging tuition to all par- ticipating students.
Respectfully submitted,
NEWELL H. MORTON, Chairman EDWARD W. PALMER DR. HENRY M. PAYNTER STANLEY I. ROBINSON DR. DONALD R. WALKER BARBARA E. WINKLER
102
SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET - 1961
Appropriations Transfers & Refunds 1961 Salaries
Expended 1961
$
63,464.66
Supt., Clerks & Enf. of Law
$ 61,829.00
60,549.98
Directors
60,549.36
3,700.00
Misc. Salaries of Instruction
3,536.38
62,899.96
Principals
62,963.70
876,837.87
Teachers
873,676.16
20,424.99
Counsellors
23,716.40
112,200.00
Custodians & Matrons
111,549.46
13,123.32
Health
12,793.54
$1,213,200.78
Total Salaries
$1,210,614.00
MAINTENANCE:
$
1,000.00
Supt. Office Expense
$ 867.75
400.00
Research & Prof. Study
400.00
100.00
Assessment, Exec. Sec. M. S. A.
100.00
925.00
Printing
498.22
500.00
Travel Expenses
125.09
1,000.00
Principal's Office Expense
955.69
3,650.00
Telephone
4,084.44
$ 7,575.00
Total General Control
$ 7,031.19
INSTRUCTION :
$
1,200.00
Travel Expense Directors & Prin. $ 1,160.66
23,750.00
Textbooks & Supplementary Books
22,902.01
17,900.00
Supplies - School
16.204.09
3,300.00
Supplies - Shop
3,256.34
1,500.00
Supplies - Home Ec.
1,400.02
3,008.50
Audio-Visual
3,335.86
1,005.50
Educational T.V.
1,005.50
1,500.00
Physical Education Equipment
1,206.11
2,130.00
Tests
677.54
8,271.56
Instructional Apparatus
10,996.52
100.00
Express Charges
14.00
$ 63,665.56
Total Expenses of Instruction
$ 62,158.65
OPERATION OF PLANT:
$ 28,400.00
Fuel
$ 24,078.15
2.900.00
Water & Sewer
2,496.10
22,500.00
Electricity
22,527.93
525.00
Gas
433.16
103
200.00
Laundry & Summer Cleaning
61.28
300.00 800.00
Ash Removal
106.75
Travel, & Oper. of Vehicles
1,061.00
S,000.00
Janitors Supplies
8,467.47
$ 63,625.00
Total Operation of Plant $ 59,231.84
MAINTENANCE OF PLANT:
$
2,475.00
Grounds
$
2,744.11
14,305.00
Buildings
18,097.08
S00.00
Service System
1,302.66
8,595.00
Plumbing & Heating
9,878.79
Furniture Repair & Replacement
-
Ş 26,175.00
Total Maintenance of Plant $ 32,022.64
AUXILIARY AGENCIES:
$
5,750.00
Library
$ 3,499.69
650.00
Health Expense
708.06
500.00
Commencement
626.09
$
6,900.00
Total Auxiliary Agencies
$
4,833.84
CAPITAL OUTLAY:
$
1,394.00
New Equipment & Furniture
$
3,741.39
STORM DAMAGE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL:
$
6,100.00
Building Repairs and Electrical System ....
cs
4,333.06
$ 169,334.56
Total General Maintenance $ 169,019.55
6,100.00
Total Storm Damage Senior High School
4,333 .. 06
1,213,200.78
Total Salaries
1,210,614.00
$1,388,635.34
Grand Total
$1,383,966.61
34,540.00
Transportation
32,909.75
5,000.00
Vocational Tuition
4,010.88
8,659.20
Athletic Account
8,659.20
4,300.00
Adult Education
3,840.00
104
READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE - 1961
Receipts not from Tax Levy - Showing Net Cost to Town January 1962 GENERAL ACCOUNT
Estimate 1962 Appropriation Credits $1,548,305.46
1961
Total Expenditures (less Transportation) (less Vocational Tuition) ..
$1,383,966.61
Receipts:
$ 175,211.00
State Reimbursements
$ 158,896.71
4,719.00
Tuition State Wards
4,719.00
8,452.37
Mentally Retarded
8,452.37
4,500.00
-193,882.37
1,000.00
Sundry
3,779.78
-180,347.86
$1,354,423.09
Net Cost to Town
$1,203.618.75
VOCATIONAL TUITION
$
5,000.00
Total Expenditures
$ 4,010.88
Receipts:
-1,300.00
State Reimbursements
-1,373.69
$ 3,700.00
Net Cost to Town
$ 2,637.19
Reim. of Salary of Youth Counsellor
4,500.00
1961
Estimate 1962 Appropriation Credits
TRANSPORTATION
$
30,140.00
Total Expenditures Receipts:
$ 34,540.00
1,250.00
State Reimbursements
-1,252.97
$ 28,890.00
Net Cost to Town $ 33,287.03
DRIVER EDUCATION
$
3,495.00
3,495.00
Total Expenditures Receipts: Pupil Tuition Fees
-
Net Cost to Town
-
SUMMER SCHOOL
$
9,400.00
-6,300.00
$ 3,100.00
Total Expenditures Receipts: Pupil Tuition Fees
P.T.A.
Net Cost to Town
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee and Citizens of Reading:
I herewith submit the report of the Superintendent of Schools for the year ending December 31, 1961, it being the sixty-ninth in a series of such annual reports.
ENROLLMENT
The enrollment of the public schools as of October 1, 1961, was 4,201, an increase of 179 - or 4.5% - over the total enrollment in 1960. In addition, there were 603 pupils enrolled in St. Agnes Parochial School in grades one through eight. Total public school enrollments in Read- ing have climbed steadily from 2,059 pupils in 1945 to 4,201, pupils in 1961. Except for the year 1957 when the last of the North Reading pupils left the Reading Memorial High School, enrollment gains have added an average of 175 new pupils to the total public school system annually.
The number of pupils enrolled in the various grades as of October 1, 1960. and 1961, is as follows:
Grade
1961
1960
1
428
379
2
374
378
3
379
357
4
364
378
5
379
321
6
320
332
7
357
351
8
341
367
9
383
353
10
351
267
11
268
251
12
238
271
PG
1
Sp. Ed.
18
16
4,201
4,022
The enrollment in Grade I is the largest ever in the history of the school system.
STAFF
During the year it was necessary for the administrative staff to recruit a total of 36 teachers to replace 21 teachers who resigned plus 15 additional teachers to take care of the increased enrollment and the opening of the new Arthur W. Coolidge Junior High School. The follow- ing table compares the turnover in personnel in 1961 with changes in the staff during the past three years:
107
1958
1959
1960
1961
Additional teachers
2
5
4
15
Left system
20
15
17
21
Turnover
13.5%
10.1%
12.5%
11.9%
Reasons for leaving:
1. To accept positions in other school systems
13
7
6
3
2. To accept positions in industry
3. Retirement
2
0
4. Family reasons
3
4
10
5. Leave of absence
1
1
1
6. Not reappointed
3
0
7. Graduate study
2
0
4
Recruiting able, qualified and competent people for teaching posi- tions on our staff becomes one of the major responsibilities of the Super- vising Principals and the Superintendent of Schools. White salary is not the only factor that persuades teachers to accept positions in Read- ing, it is a very important consideration, and the reason for maintaining a salary schedule that is competitive with salaries paid by towns in the vicinity of Reading. There continues to be no stability in the whole salary structure for teachers here in this area of the Commonwealth. Each year school committees find it necessary to revise salary schedules in order to keep pace with ever increasing minimum and maximum salaries offered here in New England or other parts of the Nation. After- careful study of the salary situation, the School Committee has again found it necessary to revise the teachers' salary schedule effective September 1, 1962. Higher maximums are established in order to retain and obtain those strong, capable teachers who have accumulated a number of years of experience either here in Reading or in other communities.
SALARY SCHEDULE - SEPTEMBER 1962
Step
Inc.
BA
MA
MA+30
1
$4300
$4600
$4800
2
$100
4400
4700
4900
3
100
4500
4800
5000
4
150
4650
4950
5150
5
150
4800
5100
5300
6
150
4950
5250
5450
7
150
5100
5400
5600
8
200
5300
5600
5800
9
200
5500
5800
6000
10
200
5700
6000
6200
11
300
6000
6300
6500
12
300
6300
6600
6800
13
300
6600
6900
7100
Career Maximum
7200
8100
8300
-
1
4
-
108
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET - REQUESTED 1962
The budget of the School Department continues to increase annually. In a growing residential community there seems to be no chance to "hold the line" in the forseeable future as far as expenditures for educa- tion are concerned. The following summary of the School Department Budgets 1954 to 1962 indicates the trend that forecasts the future.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS 1954-1962
Year
Budget Amount
% of Amount of Increase Increase Salary Increase
1954
$ 728,001.00
1955
814,372.00 $
86,371.00
11.9
$ 79,502.00
1956
877,044.00
62,672.00
7.7
55,777.00
1957
969,828.00
92,784.00
10.6
72,192.00
1958
1,067,022.00
97,194.00
10.0
102,367.00
1959
1,156,590.00
89,530.00
8.4
84,530.00
1960
1,268,798.00
112,208.00
10.8
195,084.00
1961
1,435,034.00
166,236.00
11.6
142,536.00
1962
1,624,631.00
189,597.00
13.2
164,686.00
I. Salaries of School Department personnel account for 84% of the total estimated budget for 1962, and amount to $1,377,887.00. The salary budget shows an increase of $164,686, or 13.57%, over the 1961 budget. The proposed budget increase is the result of the following factors:
1. Increase in salary rates of teachers effective September 1, 1961, in accordance with salary rates voted at the Annual Town Meeting in March 1961 for the school year 1961-62, plus increases in salary rates for the period of four months established in the revised salary schedule for the school year 1962-63.
2. Employment of additional personnel for school year 1962-63, including six additional classroom teachers; two librarians for the two Junior High Schools; two remedial reading teachers for the elementary schools; one physical education teacher for elementary school; one additional guidance counselor at the Senior High School; one additional school nurse; and two secretaries.
3. Increases in salary rates of Directors, Supervisors, Guidance Counselors, Administrators, Nurses, Secretaries, Matrons and Custodians.
4. Employment of 22 teachers for special summer workshops and the operation of the summer school program.
5. Salaries for those additional teachers eligible for the Career- Maximum Schedule established in September 1961.
6. Increase in salary item for substitute teachers and home instruc- tors for handicapped children as required by law.
II. The General Maintenance Budget shows an increase of $23,143.00, or 13.67%, over 1961. The main reasons for the increases are as follows:
109
1. Increase in amount for textbooks, instructional supplies, ap- paratus and equipment due to increase in enrollment, and continued expansion of various academic programs in the secondary schools.
2. First complete year of operation of the Arthur W. Coolidge Junior High School.
3. Expenses for the operation of the Driver Education and the . Summer School programs are included in the 1962 General Maintenance budget. The Driver Education program at the Senior High School is self-supporting; receipts from fees paid by pupils are returned to the Treasurer. The estimated income from registration fees from pupils attending the summer school will amount to approximately $6,300.00 and will be returned to the Town Treasurer as a reimbursable item.
4. The budget contains numerous items of instructional apparatus for Science and Mathematics which may be reimbursable on a matching basis under the terms of Title III of the National Defense Education Act in the amount of approximately $5,000.00.
III. The Athletic budget for 1962-63 shows an increase of $6,166.00 over the 1961-62 budget. The budget request (expenditures less anticipated receipts) amounts to $14,826.00. The increase is due to an expansion of all existing programs in interscholastic athletics, and intra-mural sports in the elementary and secondary schools, plus the addition of the new sports of Indoor Track, Wrestling, and Tennis for girls at the Senior High School. In addition to the expenses for the operation of the Athletic program salary differentials are paid to all coaches in the amount of $10,860.00; these salary differentials are included in the salary budget for teachers.
IV. The budget in the amount of $30,140.00 for Transportation is a re- duction of $4,400.00 due to the elimination of one bus since the opening of the new junior high school.
V. Estimated Income for 1962. While the only money for the normal operation of the Reading Public Schools comes from the annual ap- propriation of the Town, the Reading Schools are credited with income from a variety of other sources. All of this is deposited with the Town Treasurer and is not available for school expenditures. It does, how- ever, serve to determine the net operating costs of the school. The estimated income for 1962 is as follows:
State Aid.
School Fund
$175,211.00
Special Classes
8,452.00
Salary-School Adj. Counselor
4,500.00
Tuition
6,092.00
Transportation
1,253.00
Sundry
1.000.00
Driver Education
3,700.00
Summer School Tuition
6,300.00
Federal Funds-NDEA
5,000.00
$211,508.00
110
Federal Funds-Public Law 874:
Received during 1961 20,456.00
Balance, December 15, 1961
22,054.31
These funds received from the Federal Government have been allocated to the renovation and repairs of the Walter S. Parker Junior High School. During the year 1961 the major items completed were the installation of oil-burning equipment for the three boilers, a new roof, and sanding and refinishing of office, stage and six classroom floors. These repairs to the building are a part of a three-or four-year program of renovating the Parker Junior High School using available funds received under the terms of Public Law 874. This program was suggested by the Finance Committee and approved by the School Com- mittee two years ago.
MISCELLANEOUS
In the various reports of the Principals. Directors and the School Committee reference is made to the following significant items relating to the instructional program and operation of the schools:
1. The reorganization of the secondary schools on the 6-3-3 plan as the result of the opening of a new junior high school.
2. Experimental programs of instruction in both elementary and secondary schools involving so-called team-learning and team-teaching.
3. Expanded program of instruction utilizing Education Television broadcast by station WGBH.
4. Request of the School Committee for the appointment of a building committee and supplied with necessary funds to make plans and surveys for a new elementary school to be built on the "Glen Meadow" site and ready for occupancy by September 1963.
In this connection, the Master Plan Report for the Town of Reading devotes considerable space to the subject of present and future school facilities. The recommendations in this report for a long term school housing program should receive careful study by the School Committee and those delegated to plan and construct the new elementary school on the site now owned by the Town in the "Glen Meadow" area.
5. As a result of the hard work and conscientious efforts of our custodial staff, under the direction of Mr. Macdonald, our school build- ings and grounds are in excellent condition. During the year all items approved and planned for in the budget were completed as well as many items in a program of general preventive maintenance. Items of major importance are as follows:
1. Completion of grading and seeding of the new baseball diamond and field at Birch Meadow.
2. Senior High School. Installed additional chalk-boards in Science areas. New cork runners in aisles of auditorium. Painted part of ex- terior of school.
111
3. Joshua Eaton School. Installed rubber base coving in four rooms and formica sink tops in five classrooms. One boiler re-tubed; two rooms of furniture refinished; electric pre-heaters installed on two boilers.
4. Pearl Street School. Painted exterior of building, four class- rooms, and one corridor. Replaced two classroom floors. New electrical panel installed in boiler room. Two drinking fountains replaced. Fire alarm system checked and improved. Milk cooler added to cafeteria.
5. Highland School. Replaced hot water tank and installed addi- tional cork bulletin boards in corridors and classrooms. New sewer line laid and connected to sewer.
6. Birch Meadow School. Exterior doors repainted and kick plates installed.
7. Prospect and Lowell Street Schools. Added refrigerator for stor- age of milk.
In conclusion it can be said that many people devote hours of hard work at considerable personal sacrifice to provide the best possible program of education for the boys and girls who are enrolled in our public school. These are the 255 members of the School Department staff; the parents who work for the improvement of their schools through the activities of the Parent-Teacher Associations; the citizens who serve on such special assignments as members of Building Committees, School and Recreation Site Committees, The Booster Club, members of the Reading Council for Better Schools; finally, the six individuals who run for the dubious honor of being elected as members of the School Committee in the annual political campaigns of the Town of Reading. It has been my personal experience that it is an honor and privilege to be associated with the many people who give so generously of their time and efforts to support an ever expanding, changing and more costly program of education for the young people of Reading.
Respectfully submitted, Robert F. Perry Superintendent of Schools
READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1961
1961 was a year of change and innovation at the Reading Memorial High School. As the Class of 1961 was graduated in June, the school reverted to a three-year high school housing only grades 10, 11, and 12. Pupil population in the school shrank from approximately 1140 in June to 860 in September. This diminution in size of student body eliminated the need to use laboratory areas as homerooms and permitted greater flexibility in scheduling large and small groups. There was no lessen- ing of teacher load, however, as transfer of personnel to the junior high schools resulted in the net loss of nine classroom teachers.
Efforts begun last year to give students a greater sense of responsi- bility for their own education and attempts to individualize instruction
112
as much as possible have been continued and enlarged. To this end, the special privileges accorded honor pupils have been expanded to allow for early dismissal from school and opportunity to audit other classes. The almost complete lack of abuse or misuse of honor privi- leges has been most encouraging.
In another attempt to improve the instructional program it was de- cided to experiment with large-group lectures and team teaching. The ideas and recommendations of the Commission on the Experimental study of the Utilization of the Staff in the Secondary School as pro- pounded by Dr. J. Lloyd Trump and his associates were studied and modified to fit our particular needs.
Because of lack of opportunity for thorough planning and organiza- tion, it was decided to combine large-group lectures, small-group dis- cussions, and independent study periods with the traditional classroom organization for the 1961-1962 school year. Tuesdays and Thursdays were set aside as days for large-group lectures and, if necessary, classes of irregular size and duration. Traditional classroom instruction was reserved for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Teachers who wished to participate in the large-group lecture program submitted topics, and by June some twenty teachers had volunteered to deliver some ninety- odd lectures, mostly in the sciences, English, and foreign language areas. These lectures fell into two categories that might best be classi- fied as lectures of basic information and lectures of enrichment.
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