USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1955-1960 > Part 37
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The owners of said land above-described being listed as follows:
Eugene L. Tougas, Jr., and Rose Marie Tougas - indefinite area
Mildred R. Cole - 6.53 acres
Agnes M. Aubut and Robert N. Aubut - 10.53 acres
Howard Whitten - 1.25 acres
Emil Bernsson and Avah Bernsson - 9.01 acres
Estate of Harry P. Nash - indefinite area
George M. Hazel and Barbara Hazel - indefinite area Pauline L. Simou - indefinite area
John D. Woodfin, Jr. - indefinite area James J. MacNeil - indefinite area
William M. Harrigan - indefinite area
Edward C. Malloy, Jr. - indefinite area
Robert M. Butler - indefinite area
Frank W. Mase - indefinite area
Raymond Surette - indefinite area
Frank W. Mase - 11,040 square feet
Geraldine Proia - 11,176 square feet
Geraldine Proia - 12,249 square feet
Geraldine Proia - indefinite area
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And to see what sum the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from the Excess and Deficienty Account for such purchases or takings or take any other action in relation thereto.
High School Building Committee and Board of Selectmen
The Finance Committee recommends the sum of $19.00 be raised and appropriated for land taking by eminent domain.
ART. 60. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Select- men to acquire by purchase or take by eminent domain the fol- lowing described interest in a tract of land consisting of ap- proximately 72,000 square feet for the purpose of ingress, egress, and regress to and from Pine Street to the land now or formerly of Eugene L. Tougas, the location of the proposed new high school ; said parcel of land and said purchase or taking being as follows:
An easement and right of way for the purpose of providing access and utilities over and through the land hereinafter described from said Pine Street to the land connected with the new proposed high school and the right to construct, maintain, and operate thereon and therein pipe lines and conduits for the conveyance of and transportation of water, chemicals, or any other materials and substances, and the right to construct, maintain, and operate telegraph, telephone lines, and electric power lines on, in, and over such right of way, said rights and easements to be owned and operated in common with the owner or any of his heirs, assigns or devisees, said rights to include the right to construct, maintain, and operate a hard surface macadam road or gravel surface road for the length and width of the land hereinafter described; said land being shown on a plan entitled "Pine Street Park Subdivision Plan by Dana F. Perkins and Sons, Civil Engineers and Surveyors" and being recorded at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds, Plan Book 87, Plan 81, and being shown on said plan as Avalond Road for its entire length and width extending from Pine Street to land now or formerly of one Eugene L. Tougas, being approximately 40 feet wide and 1800.9 feet long and being wider at its intersection with Pine Street.
And to see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from the Excess and Deficienty Account for such taking or take any other action in relation thereto.
High School Building Committee and Board of Selectmen
The Finance Committee recommends the sum of $1.00 be raised and appropriated for land taking by eminent domain.
ART. 61. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $125.00 to reimburse Victor N. Cluff for acting as Slaughtering
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:
Inspector.
Board of Health
The Finance Committee recommends the sum of $125.00 be raised and appropriated for this purpose.
ART. 62. To see if the Town will vote to amend the By-Laws by adding the following to Section 2, of Article 4:
"Whenever the Finance Committee makes a recommendation on any article requiring the expenditure of money, a two-thirds vote of those present and voting shall be required to increase the sum recommended by the Finance Committee, provided, however, that the Committee may modify a recommendation prior to the actual taking of the vote by filing with the Town Clerk a statement signed by at least a majority of the Committee indicating such modified recommendation." Finance Committee
The Finance Committee recommends adoption of this article.
And you are directed to serve this warrant, by posting attested copies thereof upon the Town Hall and in the Post Office and by leaving at least five hundred (500) copies at the Post Office and at the Town Hall in said Town, seven (7) days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
HEREOF FAIL NOT, AND MAKE DUE RETURNS OF THIS WARRANT, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of Meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight.
VICTOR N. CLUFF JOHN D. SULLIVAN JOSEPH J. WHELAN JOHN H. HART GEORGE A. O'CONNELL Selectmen of Tewksbury
A true copy, Attest :
Constable of Tewksbury
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Annual Report.
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Town of
TEWKSBURY
OF TEW
S
B
TOWN
URY
INCO
34
7
D
R
also REPORT of SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1957
SCHOOL CALENDAR - 1958
Open January 2, 1958
Close February 21, 1958
Vacation One Week
Open March 3, 1958
Close April 18, 1958
Vacation One Week
Open April 28, 1958
(Elementary) Close June 18, 1958 (High) Close June 25, 1958
Summer Vacation
Open September 8, 1958 Close December 23, 1958
Reopen January 5, 1959
School Holidays
February 22 Good Friday May 30
October 12
November 11 November 27 and 28
(and such other days as the School Committee may designate) The School Calendar may be subject to change.
No School Signals
When school is called off because of severe weather conditions, the following system will be used: Coded 2-2-2 on the Fire Department and State Hospital whistles.
7:00 A. M. No School All Schools
8:00 A. M. No School Elementary Schools
12:00 Noon No School Junior High School
Radio Stations WLLH, Lowell, and WNAC, Boston and Law- rence, will carry announcements on their regular no school broadcasts.
The practice is to close schools only in case of extreme weather conditions, otherwise to hold regular sessions. It should be noted in the schedule above that sessions may be cancelled for any one or more of the groups. Therefore, when school is in session on stormy days, parents are urged to exercise their personal judgment as to the wisdom of sending their children to school.
School Census
October 1, 1957
Age 5-6 480
Age 7-16 2426
Age 17-21 71 2977
Total
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires
Mrs. Loella Dewing, James Street 1958
Francis X. Kelley, Marie Street.
1959
James A. Johnson, Arkansas Road 1960
Organization Francis X. Kelley, Chairman James A. Johnson, Vice-Chairman Mrs. Loella Dewing, Secretary
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Everett G. Thistle Office: Foster School
Office open from 8 A. M. to 12 M. and from 1 P. M. to 5 P. M. except Saturday.
The Superintendent may be seen at his office by appointment. Telephone ULysses 1-2431 Secretary: Mrs. Thelma Whitehouse
School Physicians
Morris Kelman, M. D., McDonald Road, No. Wilmington Telephone: OLiver 8-4531
George A. Ryan, M. D., Miland Avenue, Chelmsford Telephone: GLenview 3-4874
School Nurses Mrs. Ora MacLaren, R. N., 1928 Main Street, Tewksbury Telephone: Ulysses 1-2198 Mrs. Rachel Killeen, 778 Main Street, Tewksbury Telephone: ULysses 1-7467
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REGISTRATION OF MINORS AGE - GRADE DISTRIBUTION October 1, 1957
Age/Gr.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
1 14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
TOTALS
-
85
226
14
325
2
169
205
23
2
399
3
145
202
33
4
384
4
108
188
41
8
345
5
105
198
29
2.
1
1
336
6
2
113
129
20
5
1
2
272
7
1
60
104
18
7
190
8
57
104
33
4
I
199
9
2
56
87
24
9
I
179
10
59
65
12
4
141
=
27
44
16
4
-
92
12
37
44
3
84
Ung.
-
2
8
3
2
8
1
2
3
1
31
Total
85
395
365
335
338
360
228
193
244
196
72
95
62
8
1
2977
SCHOOL - GRADE DISTRIBUTION
School /Grade
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Ung.
Totals
Flemings
70
70
Foster
76
99
59
10
244
Heath Brook
106
135
132
100
12
95
680
North Street
120
155
78
37
69
38
497
Shawsheen
99
109
98
109
96
69
10
590
Junior High
190
199
=
400
Total Elementary
325
399
384
345
336
272
190
199
31
2481
High School
179
141
92
84
496
Grand Total
325
399
384
345
336
272
190
199
179
141
92
84
31
2977
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Educational and Employment Certificates
Every person from 14-16 years of age must have an employment certificate or permit, and those between 16-18 years of age must have an educational certificate before starting work. These certificates and permits may be obtained from the offices of the Superintendent of Schools, the High School Principal, and Mrs. William Dewing of the School Committee. When one makes application for a certificate (or "working card"), he must apply in person and bring birth certificate and report of last grade attended.
Age of Admission to School
All children born as of October 1, 1952 are eligible to attend school in the coming fall term. No entrance tests for children under the age requirement will be given.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The School Committee has had forty scheduled meetings this year to deal with the many routine problems associated with the operation of the schools and in addition there have been many problems of planning for the improvement of the future educational program. The most significant activities and problems of 1957 are summarized below.
During the past year the number of members to be elected to serve on the School Committee has been increased from three to five. The increased population of the Town and associated expansion of the school system seems to warrant this increase in representation.
The opening of the new twenty room Heath Brook School and the six room addition to the Shawsheen School has increased the capacity of the elementary school system and has allowed all elementary grades (1-6) to enjoy a full-time educational program. The Committee an- ticipates that the educational program in these new schools will be in keeping with the high quality of construction of these facilities.
Plans and specifications are being developed for a new high school. There are few who would question the need for this new school. Facts and figures relative to present enrollment and the pre-school census are available and support the plans now under development. The School Committee is encouraged by the practical approach of the High School Building Committee and anticipates both a functional and minimum cost building.
A report has been received from a special committee appointed by Dr. Owen B. Kiernan, Commissioner of Education, and under the direction of Dr. Patrick J. Sullivan, Director, Division of Elementary
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and Secondary Education. This report was requested to permit the educational experts of the State Department of Education to examine the local school problem and become aware of our situation. Space does not permit duplication of this report, however, the following are significant extracts from this document.
.. "It is obvious, as the present elementary classes move up that the capacity of the new high school will be reached housing grades ten through twelve, and that further study must be made of re-vamping the old high school as a junior high school, or of expanding the new high school within a short time after completion." " ... The offerings of Tewksbury high school in certain subject matter fields such as science, home economics and industrial arts, and perhaps business education, are limited by inadequate facilities and the offering in physical educa- tion, art, and music are non-existent. It is clear that such limitations as concerns the program of studies applies equally well to the lack of a well-planned program of activities since that latter is not possible without the elements of a modern high school available."
The above quotations from this report from the State Department of Education summarize the serious problem at the high school and points out the immediate and future needs at the secondary level.
A new high school will resolve only the problem of overcrowded conditions. There are, however, unsatisfactory situations which have existed for some time, and are presently magnified by the expanded population. Decisive actions by the Superintendent, with the support of the School Committee, will be required to establish a satisfactory secondary school program when this new facility becomes available.
A new elementary parochial school is under construction adjacent to St. William's Church. This facility will relieve the pressure at the elementary level at least until construction of our new high school is under way and further study is given to the growth of the pre-school population.
At North Street, two major problems have existed since the build- ing has been constructed. A leaking roof has caused considerable interior damage. The heating system has been a constant source of difficulty. The roof is now being completely replaced, and extensive work to the heating system has been completed. Repair of the interior of this school will be accomplished on a scheduled basis as part of the overall maintenance program.
Destruction of School Department property continues to be a problem. Recent breaks into the Heath Brook and Shawsheen Schools, in addition to glass breakage, is costing the Town needless expense. Contrary to popular belief, insurance does not cover the cost of all this damage. The Committee has approved the scheduling of custodian work-hours to have custodians in the schools during the evening hours. The Police Department has also increased its surveillance of the schools.
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The School Committee is determined that its expensive new buildings will be maintained and protected, and anyone found destroying school property will be prosecuted.
Recognizing the increasing problem of young people having a need for organized activities, and the fact that the schools have been built to function as community centers, extended use of school build- ings has been initiated. Organized groups are now using the basketball facilities after school hours. Contact has been made with Little League officials regarding the use of the school yards as playing fields. Any group interested in assisting young people through organized activities and who may desire to use the schools should contact the Superintendent of Schools.
The school lunch program has been instituted again and all schools with the exception of the High School have a full program. Mrs. Ruth Sutton and her staff deserve special mention for their very excellent job. By good planning and purchasing procedures, in addition to taking advantage of the surplus food available, no funds are required to subsidize this program during the coming year. Previous appropria- tions have averaged in excess of $5,000.00 per year.
School transportation contracts have been renewed for another three-year period. As a result of open competitive bidding, contracts have been signed at slightly less than the contract price for previous years. One new bus of a larger capacity is now operating at the same contract price as the smaller busses. It is recommended that all busses be of this larger capacity for obvious reasons. More rigid rules and regulations have been adopted for persons operating school busses, and more frequent inspections of vehicles is now required.
On the same subject of contracts, milk purchased for the schools is now contracted at a lower cost than during previous years. In ad- dition and more important, all milk for the first time is now subject to regular inspections, and must conform both to the State minimum standards and contract specifications.
The matter of keeping the citizens informed of School Committee actions has been capably handled by Mr. Joseph A. Killeen who has attended many of the forty meetings held this year. His coverage of these meetings and reports in the Lowell Sun have contributed much to a better general understanding of school problems.
A good deal of time and effort was expended during the past year by the teachers and principals in organizing and preparing a curriculum guide. This work has been one of the most constructive projects toward improving the educational program. The continuation of this initial study should be a major concern of those who may be responsible for the future educational program.
Much time has been devoted to the creation of a "Policy Guide". This guide, when complete, will contain in an organized form the rules
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and regulations of the Tewksbury Public Schools. It will also cover the duties and responsibilities of all school employees. The publication of the guide should contribute to a more efficient organization. It is expected that the first section of this "Policy Manual" will be available early in 1958.
The increased size of the school system has necessitated ever in- creasing school budgets. This trend will continue in the forseeable future. In order to maintain an efficient method of budget control, a more detailed breakdown of the school budget has been adopted. This new budget presentation is based on the recommendations contained in the publication "Financial Accounting for Public Schools" issued by the United States Department of Health, Education and Public Wel- fare. The use of this form in budget preparation appears to meet the objectives of the Committee in providing accurate detailed information relative to the control of school appropriations.
The opening of the new Heath Brook School added a serious problem of providing protection to the many children who are now walking to and from this school. The Police Department and a group of mothers of these children have taken over this responsibility and are providing the much needed protection. Recognition is also in order of the combined efforts of the Highway and Tree Departments in pro- viding the walk on Shawsheen Street. This walk has kept the children off the streets and provided a safe walking area especially during the recent snow storms. The loan of the Tree Department truck for use in transporting school supplies and equipment has also been of assistance during the past year.
The School Committee by formal vote has set the sum of $736,058.00 as the amount required for the support of the Tewksbury Public Schools for the year 1958. The sum is based on the following estimated requirements:
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries:
Principal, High
$ 6,667
Principal, Elementary
27,337
Supervisors, High
5,934
Supervisors, Elementary
6,160
Teachers, High
111,400
Teachers, Elementary
300,769*
Substitutes, High
2,000
Substitutes, Elementary
7,500
Home Tutoring
1,750
Clerical, High
2,700
Clerical, Elementary
7,100
Textbooks, High
5,000
Textbooks, Elementary
10,500
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Supplies, High
6,500
Supplies, Elementary
14,000
Tuition, High
500
Tuition, Elementary
1,000
Expenses, High
415
Expenses, Elementary
1,065
Operating Expenses
Salaries:
Custodial Supervision
3,946
Custodians, High
8,366
Custodians, Elementary
32,269
Fuel, High
4,500
Fuel, Elementary
14,500
Utilities, High
3,175
Utilities, Elementary
9,850
Custodial Supplies, High
1,000
Custodial Supplies, Elementary
4,500
Other Operating Expenses, High
1,550
Other Operating Expenses, Elementary
2,250
Custodial Travel
360
Maintenance of Plant
Repairs, High:
Buildings
1,000
Equipment
800
Repairs, Elementary:
Buildings
2,000
Equipment
1,700
Maintenance, High
200
Maintenance, Elementary
350
Auxiliary Agencies
Salaries:
School Physician
1,350
School Nurses
6,600
Physical Education, High
3,500
Physical Education, Elementary
5,200
Health, High
250
Health, Elementary
700
Health, Travel
200
Library, High
1,000
Library, Elementary
1,000
Physical Education, High
3,000
Physical Education, Elementary
1,025
Transportation
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High Elementary
27,992
41,988
General Control
Salaries :
Clerical, Central Office
7,600
Clerical, School Committee
200
Superintendent
9,000
Attendance Officer
100
Census Enumerator
600
School Committee Expense
1,000
Superintendent Expense
400
Office Expense
750
Capital Outlay
New Equipment
8,490
Permanent Improvement
3,500
$736,058
*The amount needed is $310,769.00. This has been reduced to $300,769.00 by the transfer of $10,000.00 from the funds available under Public Law 874.
Out of State Travel
400
Discussion of anticipated reimbursements will be found in the Report of the Superintendent of Schools.
In conclusion the Committee extends a sincere expression of thanks to all the members of the school staff and to all individuals and groups who have helped in making the year one of success and progress.
FRANCIS X. KELLEY
Chairman, School Committee
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
The calendar year 1957 was marked by the return of grades one through six to a regular school day. For the first time in several years temporary classrooms and multiple sessions were eliminated. This became possible with the opening of the six-room Shawsheen Addition in November following the September opening of 20 rooms at the Heath Brook School. Another important factor was the increase in class size voted by the Committee. We must be very careful, however, not to look on large classes as the answer to all our problems of housing and financing.
Housing at the secondary level continues to be on an emergency basis. The gym at the high school has been cut up into five temporary classrooms. Grades 9 - 12 attend on a morning shift from 8 A. M. to 1 P. M. Grades 7 and 8 attend from 1:15 P. M. to 5:15 P. M.
The combination of large classes, temporary rooms, and two shifts at the secondary level make it impossible to do justice to the pupils involved. The faculty and administration are to be commended for maintaining the standards of the program as well as they have.
The progress of the High School Building Committee has been most encouraging. Yet, we must look forward to sub-standard con- ditions at the secondary level for about two years while awaiting the completion of additional facilities. Such facilities of course depend on favorable action by the Town on the request for funds to construct a new high school.
The problem at the secondary level is becoming accentuated. While the action of the Town in curtailing construction is reflected in our overall pupil population figures, the pupils now living in Tewksbury are advancing through the grades and placing great pressure on the secondary school facilities. The enrollment on October 1, 1957 was 2977. This is an increase of 231 pupils over the 1956 figure of 2746 or an increase of 8.4%. Comparable figures for the four year high school show an increase of 19.5% from 415 to 496. Examination of the enroll- ment figures indicates the sizable increases in the classes to enter the high school in succeeding years.
The restriction on building together with the increase in the entrance age to the first grade have made a marked difference in en- rollment compared with our recent experience. The percentage increase of 8.4 in 1957 is very low as compared to 20.4 in 1956 and an average of 22 for the four years prior to 1956. We look forward, however, to a normal entering first grade of somewhat over 400, a resumption of new construction on a limited basis, and the continued increase in size of successive classes. We cannot be complacent but must look ahead to additional school housing in future years.
:
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In anticipation of the completion of the Heath Brook School and the Shawsheen School Addition, the elementary school districts were revised. The redistricting was done on the basis of the space available in the three elementary schools. District 1 generally includes the area south of the Shawsheen River and is served by 181/2 rooms at the Shawsheen School. District II, served by the 20 rooms at the Heath Brook School, is bounded by Billerica, Chandler Street, Main Street, and Shawsheen Street. This district is consolidated enough that most of the pupils are within walking distance. District III, which is larger in area than the other two combined, makes use of 14 rooms at North Street School, eight rooms at Foster School, and two rooms at Ella Flemings School. Since there are not sufficient pupils of one grade level living near the Ella Flemings School, it is necessary to operate two shuttle busses from the North Street School. It is expected that District III will be subdivided further as it becomes necessary to create future elementary school districts.
A portion of the work has been completed toward providing side- walks to serve the pupils attending the Heath Brook School. The School Committee transferred $1000 of its 1957 appropriation for this purpose together with $3200 made available by the Finance Committee. The Road Commissioners have supervised the work done to date. There remains work to be done on Foster Road, Patten Road, and a portion of Shawsheen Street. The Town should look forward to appropriating funds on a regular basis to provide sidewalks as needed throughout the Town.
On the basis of our present estimates we should expect in September 1958 a total of 3325 pupils divided approximately as follows: Grades 1-6, 2230; 7-8, 465; 9-12, 595; ungraded 35. Examination of the facilities available reveals that our present 6-2-4 arrangement will need to be abandoned due to overcrowding at the secondary level. It would not be possible to house grades 9-12 in the present high school on one shift even using the rooms in the gym.
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