USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1959-1963 > Part 67
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141
1963
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE Kevin Sullivan, Chairman
Reference is made to the report of the Auditor for specific details on expenditures.
SUMMARY OF CASES
Cases Aided as of Jan. 1,
Open Closed 1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
Old Age Assistance
12
26
115
93
87
84
70
Medical Assistance
for the Aged
31
20
0
23
20
28
39
Aid to Depnt. Children
15
14
25
28
27
26
27
Disability Assistance
11
10
18
22
21
22
23
General Relief
81
75
9
8
6
5
11
Totals
150
145
167
174
161
165
170
The Board of Public Welfare organized the first Tuesday following the Town Election of Officers and Mr. Kevin Sullivan was elected Chairman. The other board members are: Mr. Victor Cluff, Mr. Joseph Whelan, Mr. William Carter and Mr. George O'Connell.
1. Administration
Personnel in the daptrment are employed under Civil Service. There are five employees-the Director of Public Assistance, two Social Workers, and two Clerks. Salaries paid to both the members of the Board and em- ployees for work performed on Old Age Assistance, Medical Assistance for the Aged, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and Distability Assist- ance are reimbursed with both State and Federal funds. The salaries and expenses for the Director, two Social Workers, and one Clerk are reimbursed as follows: O.A.A. Federal-50%, M.A.A. Federal-50%, A.D.C. 75%, D.A. Federal-50%. In addition, the State will reimburse 50% of the balance on O.A.A., M.A.A., A.D.C., and D.A. One Clerk, the Board, and all other administrative expenses are reimbursed about 50% Federal. The Federal funds are set up in revolving accounts and are restricted to the use of the Board of Public Welfare for the purpose of administration. These funds re-anticipated in the annual budget and not raised by the Town. The State's share is returned to the General Fund and is used for any purpose by the Town. This share must be raised by the Town, but the anticipated reimbursement is considered by the Assessors in setting the tax rate. The assessors normally anticipate as reimbursement the actual amount of reim- bursement received in the previous year.
2. Old Age Assistance
This is a Federally-sponsored state plan administered by law by local Boards of Public Welfare. It requires local Boards to aid aged persons sixty-five and over who have resided in Massachusetts for one year prior to application and who are in need. Need is established by applying the budgetary standards set up by the State Department of Public Welfare. Some of the other elements are: A person cannot have more than five
142
Public Welfare . . . continued
hundred dollars ($500.00) in the bank, or cash, savings bonds, etc., and a lien is placed on property if applicant has an interest in such property.
The Federal government reimburses the department $54.00 a month for each case aided. The State pays 70% of the balance and the remainder is paid by the community aiding. The Board, in its budget request, does not include the Federal share, as this amount, by law, is set up in a separate account and can be used only by the Board of Public Welfare for aid for Old Age Assistance cases. The Board, in its budget request, must raise the state share as this amount is reimbursed directly to the general fund to be used by the Town. However, this does not adversely affect the tax rate as the Assessors anticipate the reimbursement based on the actual payments made by the State for this purpose in the prior year.
3. Aid to Families with Dependent Children
Aid to Families with Dependent Children is a Federally-sponsored plan administered by law by local Boards of Public Welfare to aid children, deprived of parental support, who are in need. Need is established by budgetary standards set up by the State Department of Public Welfare.
The following are circumstances under which a child can be considered deprived of parental support-desertion or mutual separation, divorce, legal separation, incarceration, certain types of unemployment, disability of the parent for more than three months, and death. Dependent children of a prior marriage who are in need can be considered on a limited basis for medical care, food, clothing, and personal care, only, if otherwise eligible.
In this program, Federal reimbursement is $20.50 per child; State reim- bursement is one-third of the total expenditure; and the town aiding is responsible for the balance of aid rendered. The Board does not include the Federal share in its budget request. The Town must raise the State share and the local share because the State's share is turned over to the general fund. The balance is a direct cost to the town aiding.
4. Disability Assistance
Disability Assistance is a Federally-sponsored state plan administered by law by the local Boards of Public Welfare. It requires local Boards to aid persons who have been declared permanently and totally disabled by the State Department of Public Welfare Medical Review Team and who are in need. Need is established by budgetary standards set up by the State Department of Public Welfare.
The Federal reimbursement for money expended in this category is $46.50 per case and the town's share is a standard twenty-five (25) per cent of all the total cost. The balance is reimbursed by the State Department of Public Welfare. The same method of financing is in effect as on Old Age Assistance and Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
5. Medical Assistance for the Aged
During the past, considerable publicity has been given to this program because of its relation to the proposed changes in social security which would cover certain items such as hopspitalization (acute and chronic) under the social security system. Referrals are frequently made by doctors, hospitals,
143
Public Welfare ... continued
and other interested groups, to this department for applications. This has caused an increase in the rolls during the year, and, as more publicity is given during the coming year, additional increase is anticipated. The bill authorizing this form of assistance was passed in 1960.
The bill, as passed at that level, recognized a need for medical care for aged persons. As in all plans for assistance under the Social Security Act, the individual states set up their own plan conforming to the general Federal requirements. This must be done before states are allowed Federal grants.
Under Chapter 781 of the Acts of 1960, the local Boards of Public Wel- fer in the various cities and towns are obliged to administer the program. As adopted by the General Court, briefly the program is as follows: Aged persons, sixty-five or over, who reside in the Commonwealth are entitled to medical assistance, providing they do not have an income, if single of more than $150.00 a month, or, if married, $225.00 a month; and providing further that, if single, they do not have bank deposits, securities, cash on hand and/or similar assets amounting to more than $2,000.00 or, if married, more than $3,000.00. Persons eligible for this form of assistance shall be entitled to part or all of the cost of: (1) in-patient hospital ward care; (2) public medical institution services; (3) nursing home services; (4) physi- cians' services; (5) out-patient or clinical services; (6) nursing services; (7) physical therapy and related services; (8) dental services; (9) home health care services; (10) laboratory and X-ray services; (11) prescribed drugs, eyeglasses, dentures, and other prosthetic devices; (12) diagnostic screening and preventative services; (13) any other medical care or remedial care recognized under the law of the Commonwealth; and (14) other medical care in accordance with the Department of Public Welfare Medical Care Plan.
In most cases, payment will be for medical care only and will be made direct to the vendor furnishing such care. The one exception is for persons in public medical institutions, chronic hospitals, and nursing homes. This group will be guaranteed for their own personal use, $15.00 per month, either by direct payment by the Board of Public Welfare, or by utilizing the first $15.00 of their income.
Reimbursement for care under this program is fifty (50) per cent of all monies expended reimbursed by the Federal Government; two-thirds of the balance by the State, and the local community will assume the one-third difference.
6. General Relief
This program requires local boards to meet the community's statutory obligation to relieve a person in need. How this is done is left entirely up to the Board's discretion. Unlike the Federal programs where the final decision rests with the State through an appeal process, the Board in General Relief has the final say. They in their policies and decisions, attempt to reflect community thinking.
The financing of this program is between the State and the local com- munity. The State pays 20% of the cost, and the local community pays 80%. Settlement has been dropped from this form of assistance, as well as Old Age Assistance, effective January 1, 1964.
144
- Annual Report
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Town of
TEWKSBURY
OF TEW
S
NMOL
RY
INCOR
1734.
P
RA
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1963
SCHOOL CALENDAR - 1964
Open January 2, 1964
Close February 21, 1964
Vacation One Week
Open March 2, 1964
Close April 17, 1964
Vacation One Week
Open April 27, 1964
All Schools Close June 19, 1964
Summer Vacation
Open September 9, 1964
Close December 23, 1964
Reopen January 4, 1965
School Holidays
Good Friday
October 12
November 11
November 26 and 27
(and such other days as the School Committee may designate)
The School Calendar may be subject to change.
(The Junior High calendar differs from above in order to make up days due to the late opening in September)
No School Signals
When school is called off because of severe weather conditions, the following systems will be used: Coded 2-2-2 on the Fire Department and State Hospital whistles.
6:45 A. M. - No School All Schools, All Grades
8:00 A. M. - No School Grades 1-5 (elementary schools only)
Radio Stations WLLH and WCAP, Lowell, WNAC, Boston and Law- rence and WCCM, Lawrence, will carry announcements on their regular no school broadcasts.
The practice is to close schools only in case of extreme weather con- ditions, 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.
147
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
-
Term Expires 1964
LEO D. CHIBAS, Dewey Street
MRS. LOELLA DEWING, James Street 1964
ROBERT L. BERNIER, Woburn Street 1965
WARREN J. SHEEHAN, So. Oliver Street 1965
JEREMIAH H. LONERGAN, Kent Street 1966
ORGANIZATION LEO D. CHIBAS, Chairman ROBERT L. BERNIER, Vice-Chairman MRS. LOELLA DEWING, Secretary
Superintendent of Schools JOSEPH E. BASTABLE
Office: Junior High 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 851-2431
Secretary: Mrs. Thelma Whitehouse
School Physicians
Morris Kelman, M. D., Telephone: 658-4531
Edward F. Duffy, O. D., Telephone: 851-2857 Felipe Novo, M. D., Telephone: 851-7792
School Nurses
Mrs. Ora Maclaren, R. N., 1928 Main Street, Tewksbury 851-2198
Mrs. Rachel Killeen, R. N., 778 Main Street, Tewksbury 851-7467
Mrs. Doris Osterman, R. N., 65 Whipple Road, Tewksbury 452-8894
148
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Tewksbury School Committee during the past year held regular meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month, plus almost weekly meetings during the months of October, November and December to work on the budget.
One of the important decisions the School Committee made was con- cerned with the new Tewksbury Junior High School which was not quite completed at the opening of schools in September. After consulting with the Contractor, Architect, and Superintendent of Schools, and inspecting the building to determine whether the safety of the students could be guaranteed, and upon receiving this assurance from all parties concerned, the School Committee authorized the partial occupancy of the new Junior High School building and students were allowed to enter on September 23, 1963. This action avoided double sessions at the High School and allowed a full program for both Junior and Senior High students.
The School Committee compliments the Junior High staff on the smooth opening and operation of the new building with the handicaps of workmen continuing the construction of certain areas of the building. Obviously much preplanning went into the smooth operation of the school from opening day on. The preparation for approximately 940 students was carried out extremely well and the facilities of this fine new building were utilized most effectively.
The School Committee authorized the use of the Center School as an upper elementary school, housing all of the 6th Grades and several 5th Grades. This reduced the class sizes in all of the elementary schools in town and allowed use of the gymnasium at the Heath Brook School which formerly had been used for two classrooms, and allowed the Shawsheen School to discontinue the use of the basement rooms in the old Shawsheen School.
The School Committee has used monies from Public Law 874 to build and equip a cafeteria in the Center School so that these students would also be able to participate in the Hot Lunch Program. The Center School cafeteria should be ready for operation about the first of the year, 1964. : When this cafeteria is in operation all schools in Tewksbury will be enjoy- ing the Hot Lunch Program.
The School Committee studied the value of a Work-Study Program for those students in the High School not contemplating further education beyond High School. They authorized the plans of the Industrial Arts teacher and administration to put into effect a Work-Study Program in the area of Auto Mechanics. Participation this year, which is on a pilot-study approach, is limited to several Senior boys in the Industrial Arts Program in the High School. They receive formal training in their school work and receive practical on-the-job training in several service stations in Tewks-
149
bury. They leave school at approximately twelve o'clock and are super- vised on the job at regular intervals by the Industrial Arts teacher.
The School Committee is enthusiastic about this type of program, hoping that it will provide increased educational and vocational opportunities for those students interested in the skilled trades and that it will give incentive to many students who otherwise might lose interest in school in a straight academic program.
The School Committee reviewed the Superintendent's proposal of intro- ducing Modern Mathematics in the Junior and Senior High School curricu- lum. The Committee approved the school Mathematics study group text- books for instructing in Modern Mathematics for the students in these two schools. Most comments from faculty, students and parents have indicated their approval of the School Committee's recommendation.
The School Committee approved a new curriculum in Science in the Junior High School, recommended by the administration and faculty, and authorized the purchase of modern textbooks for this new approach to the teaching of Science. The textbooks for this new Science curriculum have a copyright of 1963 and incorporate the thinking of educators and scientists in the teaching of Science in our modern world.
The Committee continued the second year of their three-year salary plan to put all teachers on the proper salary step consistent with their training and experience. The Committee feels that this salary plan is a just one in that it rewards those teachers who have loyally served the school children of Tewksbury for many years, despite not receiving salary credit for their years of teaching experience when they were first employed in the Tewksbury Public Schools.
The Committee had the sad task of accepting with deep and sincere regrets the resignation, as of December 31, 1963, of Dr. Everett G. Thistle, who resigned his position as Superintendent of Schools in which he had served the best interest of students and citizens of Tewksbury loyally and with distinction for many years, to accept a position as Director of Elemen- tary and Secondary Education for the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The School Committee appointed Joseph E. Bastable as Superintendent of Schools, effective January 1, 1964. Mr. Bastable has served the Town of Tewksbury as Guidance Director for many years and more recently as Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
Because the incoming Superintendent wished to emphasize curriculum improvement and coordination, the Committee accepted his recommenda- tion for a Curriculum Coordinator and appointed Miss Dorothy Woodhams to this position.
In summary, the Committee this past year has taken action to introduce modern methods of instruction in Mathematics and in Science. They have strengthened and enlarged the Industrial Arts Program in the High School
150
by the addition of personnel and equipment and the introduction of a new program known as the Work-Study Program. The cafeteria in the Center School has been added which serves the needs of many students.
The Committee views with pride the growth of the school system over the past year and would urge the parents of school children to visit the schools, to see our expanded facilities in Industrial Arts in the High and Junior High, to pay particular attention to the Electronics Laboratory in the High School and to observe the Language Laboratory at the Junior High School and in the Senior High School. The Committee feels that these facilities which have been added to the Tewksbury School System best exemplify modern methods of instructing students and also illustrate the desire of the Committee to have instructional programs for all students.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the entire school system for their cooperation and loyalty to me during my service as Board Chairman. To my fellow board members, I extend thanks for their cooperation and hard work during the past year. I am aware of the many long nights which they worked in order to serve the school children of the Town of Tewksbury. For this I am most grateful and will long remember their dedicated service and effort.
LEO D. CHIBAS, Chairman
Tewksbury School Committee
The School Committee has set the following sums as the amounts required for the support of the Tewksbury Public Schools for the calendar year 1964.
Salaries
$ 1,334,976.00
Expenses
277,560.00
Outlay
190.00
Out of State Travel
1,000.00
Total
$ 1,613,726.00
Also included in the basic request for Schools is the following amount for Non-Public School transportation
$ 15,265.00
Gross Total
$ 1,628,991.00
The sums above have been based on the following estimated requirements:
A. Salaries and Wages
Administration $ 26,206.00
Instruction
1,146,322.00
Attendance 400.00
Health
16,534.00
151
Operation
121,314.00
Maintenance
14,900.00
Food Services
No request 9,000.00
Student Body Activities
Community Services
300.00
Total
$ 1,334,976.00
B. Expenses
Administration
$ 2,980.00
Textbooks
22,500.00
Library and Audio-Visual
4,750.00
Instructional Supplies
32,325.00
Related Instruction
12,000.00
Health
750.00
Public Transportation
88,755.00
Heat
40,000.00
Utilities
33,000.00
Custodial Supplies
11,000.00
Contracted Services
12,000.00
Replacement of Equipment
500.00
Related Maintenance
1,000.00
Student Body Activities
16,000.00
Private Transportation
15,265.00
Total
$ 292,825.00
C. Outlay
Sites
No request
Buildings
190.00
Equipment
No request
Total
$ 190.00
D. Out of State
$ 1,000.00
$ 1,000.00
Total for Public Schools
$ 1,628,991.00
The above explanation of the 1964 Appropriation Request for the operation of the Tewksbury Public Schools gives some indication of the extent and complexity of its operation. It is the financial framework within which we discharge our tremendous responsibility of providing a suitable and appropriate education for all our young people.
In carrying out this responsibility, we could mention the following facts. We need to transport, to feed, to house, and to teach the many
152
thousands of our students. To accomplish this goal our 23 school busses run over 1,125 miles daily. Our school cafeteria feeds approximately 3,000 students daily. Our 9 school buildings house over 4200 students. Our school teachers teach a myriad complex of subjects to prepare our students for an increasingly complex world.
This gives one a picture of the physical apparatus necessary in carrying out our responsibility for the education of all of our young people. But we feel that it is more meaningful to report on some of the ways we provide educational opportunities for children of differing abilities, varied interests, and levels of accomplishment.
In our elementary schools, beginning in the 4th Grade, we use grouping in order to facilitate instruction. We have also provided Guidance services and the services of Remedial Reading teachers to help those individuals experiencing difficulty in keeping up with the rest of their classmates. We have provided supplementary textbooks in Reading to assist the individual child to maintain the same progress as his classmates.
In the Junior High School we continue the grouping of students but on a different basis than that of the elementary schools. In the Junior High we have grouped students by subject area according to established criteria. Although this type of grouping involves serious problems in scheduling, it does allow for the movement of students from one group to another. Thus a student may be in one group in Mathematics and with another group of students in Social Studies. The grouping and programming of students has generally proven satisfactory to faculty, pupils and parents.
The course offerings at Tewksbury Junior High School are on a par or exceed that of most Junior High Schools in the area. With the expanded facilities in this building an extension of our curriculum with broader programs has followed. Physical Education, Home Economics, Manual Training, Art, Language and Science curricula have undergone changes due to the availability of specialized equipment. An increasing number of students can now be accommodated in these various areas. These programs do, of course, provide opportunities for many more students than were formerly possible.
The introduction of the so-called Modern Mathematics also provides new learning opportunities for students in the Junior High School.
In the High School the individual needs of the students are provided for by a flexible program in which students may select subjects consistent with their ability and vocational or career objectives.
The grouping and scheduling of pupils in the High School is carried out as in the Junior High School to accommodate the individual educational needs of students.
During the past year the program in Industrial Arts has been strength- ened by the addition of personnel and by the introduction of wider
153
curricular offerings. Presently the boys in the Industrial Arts Program have learning opportunities in masonry work, house frame construction, sheet metal, welding, surveying, electronics (in a fully equipped laboratory), metal work, and automotives. The Work-Study Program mentioned pre- viously is the latest in our attempt to provide educational opportunities for all students.
We anticipate adding IBM data processing equipment in the near future to our commercial program. After a survey of the business establishments throughout the Merrimack Valley area and consulting with fellow educators, the desirability of adding data processing equipment became quite evident. There apparently is a great demand for students trained on this data processing equipment, both girls and boys. The possibility of using Federal funds for the rental of this equipment has been suggested by the School Committee.
In providing a flexible program of studies for all students and pro- viding the educational specialists in Guidance, Remedial Reading, Speech and Hearing, and Physical Education it is noteworthy that we are achieving success in providing educational opportunities for all students as may be seen from a section of the report of the High School Principal.
"Cognizant of the problems facing high school drop-outs in our highly competitive society, the school employs a variety of methods in an effort to discourage students from leaving school. However, contrary to our counseling and advice 25 students or 2.55 percent of our student body dropped out during the past year."
"On the national scale, approximately 40 percent of high school students drop out before graduation. Our low incidence is attributable to one or more of the following media: a flexible curriculum; better preparation of professional staff members; parental cooperation; testing, guidance, and counseling services; the 'new look' in our Industrial Arts program; and a greater variety of curricula and extra-curricular activities."
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