USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1962 > Part 10
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State legislation increasing the minimum salary for teachers to $4500 annually to become effective January 1, 1963, resulted in action by the School Committee to vote a $4500 minimum with equitable ad- justments at all levels of the teachers' salary schedule. A further up- ward revision of the salary schedule was voted to become effective September 1963. To attract capable candidates and to reward deserving Reading teachers, a minimum of $4750 was established with an obtain- able maximum of $9100 for classroom teachers. Salaries of adminis- trative, custodial, clerical and other school personnel were adjusted on an individual basis.
Reasoning that a sound basic salary schedule incorporating justifiable merit factors will enable Reading to maintain high standards of teaching, the School Committee continued its policy of granting double increments to outstanding teachers and electing qualified teachers to the Career Teacher Program. Also teachers were selected to participate in summer workshop groups for research and curriculum development.
117
The Harker Salary Classification Plan was given further study as were other non-traditional salary plans. The School Committee voted to complete its consideration of the Harker Plan during the 1962-63 school year.
Within the category of plant maintenance and modernization several major projects were completed. The home economics food lab- oratory and the boys' locker room at the Parker Junior High School were renovated under a continuing remodeling program financed through Federal funds. The guidance suite at the High School was reconstructed to provide individual counseling offices, a reception area, and a center for vocational and educational information. Upon the recommendation of the Foreign Language Department, the School Com- mittee voted to install a 30-station language laboratory for September 1963.
Contributing to higher costs of maintenance was an increase in vandalism to school property. Anticipating even greater property damage, the School Committee communicated with the Police Depart- ment to bring about more effective patrolling of school property. A survey was initiated to estimate the cost of more adequate lighting of school grounds. The Selectmen were advised by the School Committee that insurance coverage for vandalism should be increased. Measures were taken to insure the closer supervision of non-school groups to minimize vandalism as well as unintentional damage.
A survey of School Committee records for 1962 demonstrates mark- edly the diverse and significant role the School Department serves in the community. The number of groups, individuals and agencies which communicated with the School Committee to consider mutual tasks not only established the comprehensiveness of public education but commended the citizens of Reading for their cooperativeness. For ex- ample, the School Committee consulted with the Director of Civil Defense on the subject of school fallout shelters, and assisted the Lions in the establishment of a remedial speech clinic. Meetings were also held with representatives of the Boosters, Y.M.C.A., Recreation Committee, Teachers' Club and many others.
The most significant cooperative effort developed between the School Committee and the Finance Committee. An organized plan was instituted to have a representative of the Finance Committee attend School Committee meetings at which major financial issues were to be considered. As a result, the Finance Committee was able to anticipate budget increases as well as offer constructive suggestions prior to School Committee decisions. Continuance of this practice will provide Reading citizens with a greater appreciation of the fiscal problems as faced by both the Finance and School Committees.
Dr. Henry M. Paynter, Chairman Mr. Edward W. Palmer
Mr. Stanley I. Robinson Mr. Robert S. Toperzer
Dr. Donald R. Walker Mrs. Barbara E. Winkler
118
SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET - 1962
Appropriations Transfers & Refunds
1962
Salaries
Expended 1962
$
70,574.50
Supt., Clerks, & Enf. of Law
$ 68,959.93
51,083.32
Directors
51,682.88
1,500.00
Misc. Salaries of Instruction
1,300.00
75,575 00
Principals
73,240.88
996,028.28
Teachers
981,188.33
37,066.66
Counselors
37,816.32
117,483.00
Custodians & Matrons
115,888.55
15,306.66
Health
15,045.28
1,105.00
Pension transferred
1,105.00
$1,365,722.42
Totals Salaries
$1,346,227.17
Maintenance:
$
1,000,00
Supt. Office Expenses
$ 1,050.78
400.00
Research & Prof. Study NESDES
400.00
100.00
Assessment, Exec. Sec. M. S. A.
1,400.00
Printing
1,001.94
500.00
Travel Expense (including out of state)
126.64
1,000.00
Principals office Expense
1,053.57
4,000.00
Telephones
4,184.68
$ 8,400.00
Total General Control
$ 7,817.61
Instruction:
$
1,200.00
Travel Exp .- Dir., Prin., Heads of Dept. $
1,102.71
25,400.00
Textbooks & Supplementary Books 25,569.88
19,200.00
Supplies - School
15,285.78
3,300.00
Supplies - Shop
3,302.86
1,500.00
Supplies - Home Ec.
1,267.88
4,914.45
Audio-Visual
5,676.50
1,050.25
Educational T.V.
1,050.25
1,800.00
Physical Education Equipment
1,717.76
2,100.00
Tests
943.46
8,414.04
Instructional Apparatus
8,874.39
100.00
Express Charges
16.44
$ 68,978.74
Total Expenses of Instruction $ 64,807.91
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Operation of Plant:
$ 28,000.00 2,900.00
Fuel
Water & Sewer
$ 27,145.51 3,270.17
23.750.00
Electricity
23,087.29
525.00
Gas
393.11
200.00
Laundry and Summer Cleaning Ash Removal
87.89
1.000.00
Travel & Operation of Vehicles
761.00
8,000.00
Janitors Supplies
8,651.67
$ 64,375.00
Total Operation of Plant $ 63,396.64
Maintenance of Plant:
$
3,900.00
Grounds
$ 2,944.50
14,110.00
Buildings
15,766.48
730.00
Service Systems
535.38
9,040.00
Plumbing & Heating
10,824.27
Furniture Repair & Replacement
$ 27,780.00
Total Maintenance of Plant $ 30,070.63
Auxiliary Agencies:
$
4,900.00
Library
$ 5,296.34
650.00
Health Expense
775.98
500.00
Commencement
558.40
$
6,050.00
Total Auxiliary Agencies
$ 6,630.72
Capital Outlay:
$
3,999.30
New Equipment & Furniture
$ 5,460.97
Driver Education:
$
3.495.00
Salaries, Texts & Supplies, etc. $ 2,877.20
Summer School:
$ 9,400.00
Salaries, Texts & Supplies
$ 7,962.34
179,583.04
Total General Maintenance
178,184.48
3,495.00
Total Driver Education
2,877.20
9,400.00
Total Summer School
7,962.34
1,365,722.42
Total Salaries
1,346,227.17
$1,558,200.46
Total
$1,535,251.19
$ 31,670.24
Transportation
$ 31,568.49
$ 5,845.95
Vocational Tuition $
5,359.81
$ 14,826.00
Athletic Account Rotating Account $ 20,880.53
$ 4,300.00
Adult Education
Rotating Account $ 3,605.00
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READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE - 1962 Receipts not from Tax Levy - Showing Net Cost to Town January 1963
General Account 1962
Total Expenditures (less Transportation $1,535,128.44
(less Vocational Tuition) ..
Receipts:
$ 187,951.71
State Reimbursements
$ 175,211.00
4,221.16
Tuition State Wards
4,221.16
8,940.62
Mentally Retarded
8,940.62
4,500.00
-206,613.49
1,000.00
Sundry
1,508.18
-194,380.96
$1,548,889.51
Net Cost to Town
$1,340,747.48
Vocational Tuition
$
8,300.00
Total Expenditures
$ 5,359.81
Receipts:
-2,700.00
State Reimbursement
1,136.49
$ 5,600.00
Net Cost to Town
$ 3,996.32
Estimate 1963 Appropriation Credits $1,755.503.00
Reim. of Salary of Youth Counsellor
4,500.00
Estimate 1963 Appropriation Credits
Transportation
$ 35,704.00
State Reimbursement
1,363.49
Receipts:
-134.73
State Reimbursements
-1,311.47
$
35,569.27
Net Cost to Town
$ 30,257.02
Driver Education
$
3,500.00
Total Expenditures Receipts:
$ 2,754.45
3,150.00
Pupil Tuition Fees
3,150.00
$
350.00
Net Cost to Town
0.00
Summer School
$
9,000.00
Total Expenditures
$ 7,962.34
Receipts:
5,550.00
Pupil Tuition Fees
$ 5,550.00
$ 3,450.00
Net Cost to Town
$ 2,412.34
Federal Funds from P. L. No. 874
Balance January 1, 1962
$ 20,067.59
Total Received during Fiscal Year 1962
24,758.00
Expenditures Fiscal Year 1962
21,563.80
Balance on Hand January 2, 1963
1962
$ 44,825.59
$ 23,261.79
National Defense Education Act from P. L. No. 864 Title III Balance January 1, 1962 Total Received during Fiscal Year 1962
$ 136.47 3,729.25
Expenditures Fiscal Year 1962
$ 3,865.72
0.00
Balance on Hand January 2, 1963
$ 3,865.72
National Defense Education Act from P. L. No. 864 Title V
Balance January 1, 1962 Total Received during Fiscal Year 1962
$ 7,330.58
3,208.30
$ 10,538.88
Expenditures Fiscal Year 1962
4,209.83
Balance on Hand January 2, 1963
$ 6,329.05
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, 1962, it being the seventieth in a series of such annual reports.
Enrollment
The enrollment of the public schools as of October 1, 1962, was 4309 an increase of 108 over the enrollment in 1961. In addition, there were 667 pupils enrolled in St. Agnes Parochial School in grades one through eight. Enrollment projections indicate that there will continue to be a steady increase of the school population in the future.
The number of pupils enrolled in the various grades as of October 1, 1960, 1961, and 1962, is as follows:
Grade
1960
1961
1962
1
379
428
386
2
378
374
436
3
357
379
372
4
378
364
370
5
321
379
361
6
332
320
377
7
351
357
325
8
367
341
350
9
353
383
370
10
267
351
360
11
251
268
325
12
271
238
256
PG
1
Sp. Ed.
16
18
21
4022
4201
4309
Staff
During the year it was necessary for the administrative staff to recruit a total of 33 teachers to replace 20 teachers who resigned plus 13 additional teachers and personnel to take care of the increased enrollment and also provide special instruction and services. These include one additional school nurse, one guidance counselor, two re- medial reading teachers and two full-time librarians for the two Junior High Schools. The following table compares the turnover in personnel in 1962 with changes in the staff during the past three years:
1959
1960
1961
1962
Additional teachers
5
4
15
12
Left system
15
17
21
20
Turnover
10.1%
12.5%
11.9%
11.3%
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Reasons for leaving:
1. To accept positions in other systems
7 6
3
1
2. To accept positions in industry
3. Retirement
0
2
0
4
4. Family reasons
3
4
10
7
5. Leave of absence
1
1
1
1
6. Not reappointed
0
3
0
3
7. Graduate study 2
0
4
2
Recruiting able and qualified people for teaching positions on our staff continues to be a major responsibility of the Superintendent of Schools and the Supervising Principals. To attract and hold competent teachers on our staff is the objective of the salary schedule established by the School Committee. There continues to be no stability in the whole salary structure for teachers in this area of the Commonwealth. During the last session of the legislature, the minimum salary for the enploy- ment of a teacher was raised from $4000 to $4500 effective January 1, 1963. After long and careful study of the salary situation, the School Committee has again found it necessary to revise the salary schedule, first to meet the provisions of the new State minimum salary law, and at the same time maintain a competitive position with respect to the salaries paid by towns in the vicinity of Reading in recruiting teachers for the 1963-64 school year.
Salary Schedule-September 1963
Step
Increase
BA
MA
MA+30
1
$-
$4750
$5050
$5250
2
100
4850
5150
5350
3
100
4950
5250
5450
4
100
5050
5350
.. 5550
5
150
5200
5500
5700
6
150
5350
.5650
5850
7
150
5500
5800
6000
8
150
5650
5950
6150
9
200
5850
6150
6350
10
200
6050
6350
6550
11
200
6250
6550
6750
12
300
6550
6850
7050
13
300
6850
7150
7350
14
300
7150
7450
7650
Career-Salary Schedule
Minimum
$7600
$7900
$8100
Maximum
8500
8900
9100
1
4
7
A summary of the School Department Budgets for the past ten years is again presented to indicate that expenditures for education have steadily increased each year and certainly will continue to increase to accommodate an expanding school population.
125
School Department Budgets-1954-1963
Year
Budget Amount
Increase
% of Increase
Amount of Increase in Salaries
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
*1963
1,799,507.00
187,042.00
11.5
153,909.00
*Proposed Budget for 1963
Salaries of School Department personnel account for 84.4% of the total estimated budget for 1963.
Estimated Increase for 1963
Money for the normal operation of the Reading Public Schools comes from the annual appropriation voted at the Annual Town Meeting. The School Department does receive income from a variety of sources. All of this money is deposited with the Town Treasurer and is not available for school expenditures except those funds received from the Federal Government under the provisions of Public Law 874. However, these funds do serve to determine the net operating costs of the schools. The estimated income for 1962 is as follows:
State Aid
General
$ 187,951.00
Transportation - Physically Handicap-
ped
91.00
Mentally retarded
8,940.00
Transportation-Vocational School Students
134.00
Salary-Youth Adjustment Counselor
4,500.00
Tuition
Vocational
2,700.00
State Wards
4,221.00
Sundry
Receipts
1,000.00
Driver Education Tuition
3,150.00
Summer School Tuition
5,550.00
$ 218,240.00
On Account of:
Joshua Eaton School
12,629.00
Senior High School
46,659.00
Birch Meadow
15,655.00
Arthur W. Coolidge Junior High School
23,046.00
Federal Funds-P.L. 874
(estimated)
20,000.00
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A New Elementary School
The School Committee at the Annual Town Meeting of 1962 present- ed two Articles in the Warrant dealing with the problem of providing additional facilities for our elementary schools. The first Article voted established a Special Building Committee for the purpose of construct- ing an elementary school upon land owned by the Town in the so-called "Glen Meadow" area. Under the second Article, this Building Committee was given $10,000 to secure engineers and an architect to furnish plans and surveys for the construction of the school.
The Building Committee, as established by the vote under Article 30, included the following:
1. John H. Austin, appointed by the Moderator
Kenneth P. Roberts
William Bishop William Burpee
2. Robert S. Toperzer, appointed by the School Committee
3. Fred C. Kenney, Jr., appointed by the Board of Public Works
4. Thomas F. Galvin, appointed by the Finance Committee
The Building Committee held its first meeting on May 9, 1962, and for the purpose of organization elected Mr. John Austin Chairman, and Mr. Kenneth Roberts Secretary.
There are now 73 available classrooms in our elementary school buildings. In September 1962, 78 classrooms were needed to accommo- date the enrollment. The five rooms over capacity are now housed in the Junior and Senior High School buildings, and the cafeteria in the Joshua Eaton School.
In September 1964 there will be a need for 82 elementary class- rooms, and on the basis of projected increases in enrollment there will be needed 87 elementary classrooms when the school year 1966-67 arrives On this basis the School Committee recommended the con- struction of a building providing 14 classrooms and auxiliary rooms similar in nature to those now available at the Birch Meadow and Joshua Eaton Schools.
After interviewing several architects, the Building Committee se- lected Mr. Clinton F. Goodwin, of Haverhill, to prepare the preliminary plans and surveys for the new school. After a thorough study of several preliminary plans and sketches submitted by the architect, the com- mittee selected a design that utilized the site to best advantage, and also met the prepared educational specifications. The School Building Assistance Commission in Boston has studied the plans and have formally approved the project. The total cost of the whole building project has been estimated at $890,000, and the Commonwealth will share in this cost to the extent of approximately 40%.
At present the architect is in the process of preparing the detailed drawings and specifications for the new building. At a Special Town Meeting in October it was voted to appropriate $40,000 for these work- ing drawings and specifications. The Building Committee plans to ask
127
the Special Town Meeting in January for an appropriation to complete the building. It should be noted that at the Annual Town Meeting of 1962. $100,000 was voted into the Stabilization Fund with the intent to use this money for future school construction. State law provides matching funds for this stabilization money, if voted out for school construction in a subsequent calendar year.
If the whole building project proceeds according to plan and pro- jected time schedule, the school will be ready for occupancy at the beginning of school in September 1964.
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. Workshops involving sixteen teachers during the summer of 1962 for the purpose of revising curriculums in Social Studies, Mathe- matics and the English and Science programs of study at the Senior High School.
2. Expansion of the Remedial Reading program for pupils in the elementary schools.
3. Employment of two full time librarians for the Junior High Schools.
4. Organization of the master schedule at the Senior High School so that all major academic subjects would meet four periods per week and the laboratory sciences six periods per week. Under this arrange- ment more pupils find it possible to elect enrichment courses in Art, Music and other areas.
5. Extension of the Foreign Language program of the elementary schools so that pupils in Grade 7 may have the opportunity to elect French two periods per week starting in September 1962.
6. Expansion of the Instrumental Music program at the elementary school level to include instruction in the string instruments.
7. During the year all items approved in the General Maintenance Budget were completed as well as the usual program of general pre- ventive maintenance. Items of major importance are as follows:
1. Senior High School-Alteration of the office area of the Guid- ance Department; cut and straightened front of No. 2 boiler; installed large cork display area in Art Room; relocated and added cabinets in Art Room; rebuilt brickwork in front of No. 2 and No. 3 boilers; installed 55 tempered masonite tops for Science desks in Rooms 125-127; installed 16' metal chalkboard on corridor wall of Room 6; pointed chimney to boiler room; installed new disposall in cafeteria kitchen; installed new bake oven in cafeteria kitchen; installed chalkboards in Rooms 1-2-3-4-5-104.
128
2 Walter S. Parker Junior High School-Painted walls around bubblers en third floor; installed counter cabinet in Room 105; repaint- ed Room 105; installed rubber base at front of Room 105; completed new boys' shower and toilet area; new steel overhead door in Metal Shop; one coat of Gym Finish on Rooms 101-102-103-104-105 and Con- ference Room; three coats Gym Finish on Rooms 201-202-203-204-205- 206-207; installed new sink cabinet in Sewing Room; bleachers re- paired; rubber base in Rooms 201-202-203-204-205-206-207-Women's Teach- ers' Room-Visual Aids-Library Workrooms; built new bench in boys' locker room; painted windowsills on front of building; installed corkboard in Sewing Room; new corkboard and chalkboard in Room 307; new fin radiation in Room 207; map rails in Rooms 301 and 307; repaired 38 Art Room tables-bolts, ratchets, hinges. Sanded desk tops in Rooms 102-103-104.
3. Arthur W. Coolidge Junior High School - Installed sink in Teachers' Room; made sliding doors for counter in Teachers' Room; replaced doors in Main Office and Principal's Office (from break) ; installed key switches on Cafetorium drapes controls; installed floor tile in Custodians' room; replaced chalkboards in six rooms; installed pipe rack for uniforms in Music storage room; bricked-up openings in ornamental wall at rear of building; built partition and installed door between shops; made and installed bulletin board in Office; installed new heating element in steam table; installed two chalkboards in Gymnasium and one in Music Room; panels on ends of lockers in boys' shower room; cork bulletin board on end of lockers-boys' locker room; built piers and two chimney caps to keep water out of chimney base.
4. Birch Meadow School-Replaced glass in Room 15-4014x45x3/8 Installed clock motor in Room 17; repaired floor tiles in Cafetorium; master clock and clock in Room 14 repaired.
5. Joshua Eaton School-New Univent motor and control in Room 102; bypassed relay on electric-eye control on Rooms 14 and 18; repaired mixer in kitchen-new gears; two motors (new) in clock tower, Oak Street side; installed new cabinet and sink in Room 1; replaced two flushometers in boys' lavatory; removed gutters on long wing; repaired roof leaks around vents on long wing, over gym, over stage; re-tubed No. 1 boiler 5/62; installed wet cells and charging panel on fire alarm system; installed new doors on front of lower wing; covered procenium arch of auditorium with waterproof plywood panels; new panels in arches over auditorium windows; secured door frame at Oak Street entrance; repaired tiles on gymnasium ceiling; sanded desks-34 in Room 1 and 37 in Room 18; hot-topped holes in parking area; repaired brickwork in both boilers; plastered ceiling over stairwell to second floor; glass blocks replaced in boys' lavatory and Room 11; installed Beveridge-Air milk cooler.
6. Highland School-New sink cabinet in boys' basement; new sink cabinet in girls' basement; cork display area in cafeteria; rubber base around sink cabinets in boys' and girls' basement; repainted back wall in auditorium where roof leaked; repaired brick sides of steps on both ends of building.
129
7. Pearl Street School-Powers Regulator repaired Univents in Rooms 103 and 106, auditorium-back right; installed new 400-amp switch in electrical room; bypassed electric-eye controls in electrical room; new sink boards in Rooms 101 and 102; repaired plaster damage caused by roof drain leak in Room 103; rubber base in Rooms 103-104- 107; installed wet batteries and charging panel on fire alarm system; new electric hot water tank in kitchen; refinished desk tops-37 in Room 102 and 32 in Room 105; replaced two doors at back of auditorium; repaired second floor fire doors on south end of building; installed cork board in Room 103.
8. Lowell Street School-Changed cylinders in all exterior locks; loamed and seeded holes in lawn; installed new door on "girls" side of building.
9. Prospect Street School-Installed emergency lights on first and second floors; hot-topped north playground area; repaired plaster in back stairwell and boys' lavatory; boxed coatroom pipe in First Grade.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the members of the School Committee for the time and thought which they have devoted in the interests of the public schools during the past year.
I also wish to thank the members of the administrative staff and all teachers, custodians, secretaries, cafeteria workers, Town officials and citizens who have continued to contribute so much toward our ef- forts to maintain good schools in Reading.
Robert F. Perry
Superintendent of Schools
READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1962
The explosions in education and population which are progressing at tremendous rates exerted considerable influence on the planning and organization of the instructional program at the Reading Memorial High School during 1962 and will continue to do so for years to come. As the knowledge of the world doubles and almost redoubles from the time a child enters the first grade until the time he is graduated from high school, the problem of what should be taught to whom becomes increasingly complex and hard to resolve. There can be no question that curriculums have to be examined critically, revised frequently, and expanded as necessary. There are increasing pressures on teachers and administrators to keep abreast of the growing volume of significant research and development that is being carried on in every subject matter field in all parts of the country and at all levels of instruction. Considerable study, meditation, and planning are required of all educators to select and prepare units of study that will provide the best possible general education for the coming generations.
The first summer workshop program provided the opportunity to some of our teachers to make important beginnings in revising existing courses of study and in developing new units of study. Three members
130
of the English Department worked together to develop new courses of study for the two top-ability sections in grades 10, 11, and 12. These courses of study were based on related thematic units that will provide greater continuity and sequence to the reading, writing, and thinking of our pupils. Detailed study guides, test materials, bibliographies, discussion questions, and lesson plans were prepared for one unit of study at each grade level for immediate use in the fall and for the purpose of serving as pilot studies for the remainder of the English Department to base their future work upon. A beginning was also made toward bringing about closer coordination between the English and social studies programs.
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