USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1949-1950 > Part 21
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JOHN F. HARTNETT, Chairman CLOSSON K. BLAISDELL, Vice-Chairman ELEANOR F. GRIMES, Secretary JOHN J. NITCHIE ARTHUR V. LYNCH ERNEST M. CRISPO
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Wilmington School Committee:
Miss Grimes and Gentlemen:
Subscribed please find my twenty-seventh and final report as Superintendent of Schools of this town. The opportunity is here for an historical dissertation on the progress made, in more than a quar- ter of a century, towards adequately educating children at a cost al- ways far below the level of the average town in Massachusetts. Throughout my incumbency in this position, Wilmington has stood at, or very near, the bottom of the list in the per pupil cost of public school education. This has always been partly of necessity, but more from the will of the voters. It has always been possible to show, indeed has been evidenced many times in my reports; that the town was financially able to do better than it was doing.
In spite of our lowly financial status I know that the School Sys- tem of this town, judged by the only criterion we have-the success of its graduates-has been at least equal, and sometimes, superior to many more pretentious systems. To be sure we have never been labeled PROGRESSIVE but by maintaining the even tenor of our way, based on proven methodologies, we have maintained a high standard of sound fundamental educational accomplishment.
It has ever been the keystone in the writers educational philoso- phy, that our main duty is to teach people how to live rather than, how to make a living. Many elements have crept into schools curri- cula whose sole excuse for inclusion is the endeavor to increase the child's market value to business or industry, and thereby to fatten his pay envelope. How wisely the contents of the envelope is spent, or how the increasingly great leisure time is used, seems of no great concern. "Take home pay" is the main objective regadless of what or how much it buys of true happiness, or whether, in many cases, it ever gets home.
My valedictory wish for Wilmington is that it may never be led to worship false gods, either educational, social, or political.
REPORT
By virtue of the full coverage given by my associates as found on these pages it is not necessary that I touch upon many elements of the workings of the School Department.
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The School Committee has covered much of the ground from their angle. The Principal of the High School has adequately proved the advantages of the new building. The Supervisors have indicated the work done in their various departments. Mrs. Nichols, the School Nurse, gives an adequate picture of activities concerning the health of our school children.
One new report is that of a new member of our school family, the Maintenance Man. For many years the employment of such an in- dividual has been urged by the writer. It was always felt that such an employee could eventually more than pay his own way through savings in labor costs as well as by preventing small repairs, when neglected, from becoming major operations involving large expendi- tures.
This faith has been fully justified during the past year. If space allowed, and full figures were available, I believe that a full justifica- tion for this new department could be proved.
The present incumbent in this position has reported, almost daily, to the Superintendent of Schools concerning needs of, and progress in, repair work. At least, once a month, in fact, much more frequently, he has reported to the full School Committee and asked for author- ization for major repair items. He has spent much time, and inciden- tally incurred some enmities, in getting the most reasonable prices on labor that he could not do legally, and on materials needed to keep the School plant in top condition. The care and distribution of janitors supplies was voluntarily taken over, thus relieving the Super- intendent of a time consuming task. All Specifications for bids on major repairs and replacements are prepared with his assistance.
PERSONNEL
When considering the budget prepared by the School Committee for the year 1951 careful attention should be given to the increase in the roster of School employees. This is of course the largest element in the cost of running a School System.
In September of 1950 there were ten more teachers and super- visors employed than in June of the same year. In addition, two supervisors were put on a full time schedule instead of part time. A new law passed by the last session of the General court placed the Special Class teachers on a schedule $500.00 higher than the regular classroom teacher. This amount, however, will be reimbursed by the State, but it still has to be raised first by local taxation.
In the 1950 budget only a third of this increase was felt, but in 1951 allowance must be made for a full year's salary for each.
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Of the ten new positions created, one was that of Supervisor of Physical Education and Coach of Girls' Sports in the high school. He is a full time employee and receives the same salary as is paid to all full time supervisors. Two extra teachers were added to the fifth and sixth grade staff now housed in the Buzzell School and two more were needed for the seventh and eighth grades in the old high school building, now called the Junior High, for the purpose of dis- tinction. Since two of the fifth and sixth grade teachers were moved from Silver Lake Portable to the Buzzell School, it was possible to create another first grade, and a second grade under Mrs. Daley's supervision in that district. The balance of the new teachers were added to the high school faculty as mentioned in Mr. Kambour's re- port.
FINANCE FOR FIFTY-ONE
Looking back on the days when we had to operate the schools on a budget of $68,000.00 the current need seems staggering. When however, living costs in the two periods are compared the proportion is such that it is surprising that it is not much larger. Of course we must consider, at the same time, the marked growth in school en- rollment. After all, the cost of education is based upon the number of children of school age. Any comparison of school expenditures is based upon this factor, just as any reimbursement from State Funds is on a similar basis. This mention of reimbursement brings the thought that our increase in child population between the ages of 7 and 16 has been more or less in proportion to the over all in- crease. For the current year the town should receive from Sect. 643, now by law to be reported as School Fund, as follows:
1330 X $130
$172,900.00
.006 X 4,651,107 27,906.64
50% of this balance
$144,993.36
72,448.44
To this may be added the estimated reimbursement on transportation of $10,000.00. As in previous years there is a further return from tuition and transportation of State and City of Boston Wards, again estimated at about $4,000.00.
A further reimbursement of $1,000.00 will be paid on the salaries of Special Class Teachers.
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Summarized this shows:
Reimbursement School Fund $ 72,448.44
Reimbursement Transportation 10,000.00
Reimbursement State and City Wards. 4,000.00
Reimbursement Special Class Teachers 1,000.00
$ 87,448.44
On a percentage basis this would give a rough estimate of about 35% of the total budget as prepared by the School Committee prior to the annual dicker with the Finance Committee or Board.
Under the preceding section it is clear that a substantial increase in costs is inevitable. One factor in this increase. not mentioned there, is the fact that when Wilmington hires its new Superintendent of Schools the salary of that office will not be less than $5.000.00 as compared to $3.640.00 now paid for that official. Incidentally, in this connection. it is interesting to note that after May 31. two men. each with a secretary, will carry approximately the same burden that the "old man" has borne for years for less than half of the $10.000.00 that they must be paid. "Born thirty years too soon."
ENROLLMENT
With the new school year in September 1950 came the predicted increase in school population, but it ran far ahead of the prediction. While tabulations appended to this report show an enrollment of 1575 on October 1. 1950, the actual figures were 1596 at the peak. This was an increase of more than a hundred pupils from June to Sep- tember.
The end is not yet in sight. Next June there is a class of 65 pos- sible graduates from high school. In September approximately 180 should be expected in the first grades. This means pupils enough to fill three rooms; but since one roomfui will be cared for by in- creased high school enrollment, at least two new rooms, of about 35 seating capacity each, must be provided somewhere. Where ??? that is what is popularly called the "$64 question". There is not too much time for the solution of this problem. Such annual increases may continue for several years. If previous experience with the result of military inductions is any measure. we may expect the birthrate to maintain a high level for a number of years to come. Long range planning is imperative to meet this probable condition.
HEADQUARTERS
For the first time in twenty-six years your Superintendent of Schools and your School Committee are properly housed.
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The present offices are at last in accord with the dignity of the position of Superintendent of Schools. They have drawn very favor- able comment from salesmen who see many such suites, good, bad. and indifferent. With the new sign to identify it and the improve- ments both external and internal to the Roman House the town has an administrative center of which it may be justifiably proud. In fact, the use made of the Roman property has added very materially to the effectiveness of the school system. This was money well spent. Its advertising value alone can well justify the cost.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
After the lapse of too long a period we have again been able to put into effect a program of Physical Education which has been sore- ly needed. During the recent war this program was made impossble because of our inability to secure properly qualified supervision. The number of people trained for this work was so small that the larger centers took all of the available personnel. The G. I. educational pro- gram helped' to produce a greater supply and candidates were avail- able with excellent training for the smaller towns.
From a number of candidates which included Mrs. Anne Mullane Fourneau, one of the best of our former Supervisors, the School Com- mittee selected Mr. Lawrence Cushing, a local resident. Mr. Cushing had a long record of experience as a coach and referee of baseball and football. He is active in the Boosters Club and has taken some courses in Physical Education at Boston University. If devotion to duty and the will to work hard are major factors, Mr. Cushing may well prove very successful. He certainly is diligent.
REMEDIAL READING
Miss Mary Boutilier has had a full year and four months of the current school year to get this work well under way. It is still some- what early to evaluate the effectiveness of this work. Much of last year was occupied in preliminary surveys and work with some of the more pressing cases in the fifth and sixth grades.
We have been able to give this teacher better working conditions since September in one of the small rooms in the old high school building. Here larger groups can be handled and better groupings made for more efficient use of her time.
A report on this work will be found on later pages as written by Miss Boutilier.
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THE HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
The progress made in this part of our school program is nothing short of amazing. It is my belief that if the High School Cafeteria could swing into efficient operation in this school year it would be a job well done. Not only does this seem to be accomplished, but an excellent service is being rendered to the other three buildings located nearby. For the smaller schools more remote from this center, hot soup is provided and transported to them in vacuum containers daily. Thus every school pupil in town can have something hot at lunch time if his parents so desire.
To this project the School Committee released $500.00 out of its 1950 funds and a like sum is allocated for this purpose in the 1951 budget. In tinie this element in our program should become self supporting.
Great credit is due Mrs. Esther Nichols, Miss Shirley Bedell and Mr. Kambour for the planning and the workers in the High School Cafeteria for carrying out the plans. To Miss Bedell as manager and her associates who carry on the work in the kitchen high com- pliment is due for the variety and quality of the menus provided.
ORGANIZATION
There seems to be a misapprehension as to the type of organiza- tion followed in our local school system. Citizens and teachers are prone to refer to the seventh and eighth grades as the Junior High School. This may be a convenient way of differentiating the old High School building from the new, but it has no bearing on our form of educational organization.
In Wilmington we are working on what in the profession is known as the 6-2-4 Plan. This means six elementary grades, two of what used to be called grammar school grades, the 7th and Sth, and four high school grades. A town as small as Wilmington cannot operate a true Junior High School, therefore should avoid the 6-3-3 Plan. For us the best eventual organization is probably the 6-6 Plan whereby the upper six grades are organized as a High School unit.
It is upon this basis that the new High School building is planned. In time this form of organization will be realized; until then it is a misnomer to call any part of our system the Junior High School.
The above explanation is of course, only good for the current school year. Under a new administration in this office many changes may, and probably will, occur. The newer school of thought on Edu-
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cation is very fond of new labels for old things; but given time the clear fundamental stream rids itself of superficial froth, fills up de- ceptive short cuts with the silt of muddy thinking stirred up within it, and eventually resumes its clear cut channel to its objective.
FINALE
Thus comes the end of twenty six full years of reporting on the local school situation and probably the last official report this writer will ever sign for Wilmington.
This period has been one of marked growth in the school popula- tion in step with the increase in the total population of the town. This is a peculiar town with respect to the ratio of school population to the total population. It has always been markedly higher than that of the average community in this State, At times nearly 30% of the local residents have been enrolled in school. A 25% ratio has been common, and 20% or more the general rule. The present ratio is ap- proximately 22%. This high ratio has a distinct bearing upon the cost of our public schools as reflected in the tax bill. In a town like this, where the major part of the tax burden falls upon real estate and where there are no large and valuable estates, the burden is necessari- ly heavy. This condition can be alleviated only by the addition of the taxable properties in the form of industries. It has always been, and still is, a source of wonder to this scribe, that a town located on two main lines of a great sectional railroad system, with a third freight line spur cutting through its heart, and located moreover, within about 15 miles of one of the nation's great seaports, has never developed industrially.
Fortunately in the past two years the burden has been relieved materially by increased State participation in the cost of our schools. Wilmington has fared particularly well because of the high ratio of school to total population. It is a fact, however, that Massachusetts does not share this cost in any measure comparable to many states in the Union. Here is a problem in State management in which our local leaders should assume a leading part in pressing for a better solution. There is no need to fear "State domination" so long as Chapter 76 of the general laws is not weakened by self seeking poli- ticians.
To any officials, parents, or teachers to whom I have said "110" when they wanted a "yes" may I say, that I have always acted accord- ing to honest conviction based on long experience. I have endeavored
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to administer my office for the greatest good of the greatest number and have never "played favorites". I have carried out policies deter- mined by my superiors even when I did not sanction them.
To the many individuals with whom I have served as their ad- ministrative agent, the School Committee members past and present, I offer thanks for cooperation, kindness, and often forebearance.
To the small army of loyal teachers who have labored under my direction during these many years I render homage for their cooper- ation and for the friendly way they have reacted to my leadership.
To all of "my boys and girls" wherever you may be, I say, may God guard you and keep you ever.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN G. BEAN
Wilmington, Massachusetts. February 3, 1951.
Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Wilmington, Massachusetts Wilmington High School, January 29, 1951
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
It is with deep gratitude and real satisfaction in the accomplish- ments of the last twelve months that this annual report is written. The tremendously improved situation in the new Wilmington High School building permits a greatly enriched program for students. The first unit of the new Junior-Senior High School, planned so carefully and constructed so well under the supervision of the School Build- ing Committee, when operated in conjunction with the Roman House and Shop, has the facilities necessary for a modern, well planned secondary school program.
The splendid new plant provides for the physical comfort of the students and staff. Toilet rooms are spacious and adequate. Drinking water, which is cool and palatable, is available in a proper number of places throughout the building. A system of forced circulation of air assures a satisfactory amount of fresh air at all times. The well lighted, attractively decorated classrooms and offices are an induce- ment to study and to wholesome activities. But more important than the fact of added physical comforts is the fact that with facilities now available the educational needs of Wilmington High School students can be more adequately met.
There is now in operation a library which contains several hun- dred volumes including a good variety of reference books. Our thanks and appreciation are here publicly expressed to the Class of 1949 for the gift of a new edition of Encyclopedia Britannica. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Biggar have given a fine atlas in memory of their son, Paul, Class of 1943. A generous friend of the school, who wishes to remain anonymous, has given the school two excellent paintings of George and Martha Washington. Gifts, such as these, are lasting, and of real value to the student body. Mrs. Webster Hall was engaged to be the part time Librarian. After doing a great deal of preliminary work, family responsibilities forced her to resign. Mrs. Arthur Day, who was secured as her successor, has carried on this work with en-
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thusiasmn and vigor. At present the library is open throughout the day. Junior and Senior girls have volunteered to be assistant libra- rians during each period of the day.
The health suite with its splendidly equipped Dental Clinic is ull- doubtedly a topic in Mrs. Guy Nichols' report. We expect it to be- come more and more of an asset to the High School students.
Another part of the plant which makes possible a new and valu- able activity is the shop. Mr. Hubert Durling, a graduate of the Fitchburg Teachers' College, teaches all Freshman boys fundamentals in Industrial Arts two periods a week. This plan gives every boy some training in elementary skills and the proper use and care of basic tools. It also provides an experience upon which to decide whether to pursue the course in succeeding years. Boys in upper classes may elect the course for six periods a week. Much valuable training and many worthwhile projects are coming out of this de- partment.
On the first floor of the Roman House, Miss Shirley Bedell, a graduate of the Framingham Teachers' College, and an experienced teacher in Household Arts, is conducting classes on the same plan as is followed in the Shop. All freshman girls are asked to take an in- troductory and exploratory course in Household Arts of two periods a week. The Industrial and Household Arts Courses are providing experience and training that will pay high and very apparent divi- dends.
Another of the activities which our new building has made pos- sible is the Hot Lunch Program. The writer has been designated as Agent for that program throughout the Wilmington schools. We are proud of the operation from every point of view. Well balanced, in- expensive meals are served. Students are thriving on the lunches. Visitors say that manners and attitudes shown by our students in the Cafeteria is better than in most schools. Up to the present, the Lunch Program is self-supporting. Not only is a complete student lunch offered to each member of the High School but also to the members of the Junior High, Buzzell, and Center Schools. Most townspeople have heard of the delicious and nutritious lunches which are served there each school day. Miss Shirley Bedell, as the super- visor and dietician, deserves much credit for the operation of the Cafeteria in such a manner that it is receiving high praise from all State School Lunch officials, casual visitors, and the students who patronize it. The splendid work of the cafeteria is carried on by a staff of four capable ladies headed by Mrs. Ernest Bousfield. In addition to these four ladies, there are twenty-four students who work
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forty-five minutes per day for their lunch. This loyal and enthusiastic group of workers help to make the program the success it is. In addition to offering a well balanced meal to all students attending schools in the center of the town-hot soup and milk is delivered to every other School where more and more pupils are benefiting by the program.
The athletic program has not changed significantly. Mr. Constan- tine O'Doherty, a graduate of Georgetown University, was appointed Head Coach of Football, Ice Hockey and Baseball to succeed Mr. Ed- ward Palimeri, who entered private employment. Mr. Joseph I. Don- ovan, Jr., continues to assist in the sports program. Mr. Cesidio Tessi- cini, who is an alumnus of this school and of Bates College, was en- gaged to assist in coaching Football and Baseball and to be Head Coach of Basketball. As part of his work in Physical Education, Mr. Lawrence Cushing is coaching Girls' Basketball. Each of these gentle- men has had a wealth of experience in sports and is capably leading the groups for which they are responsible. Plans are being made to reintroduce Field Hockey as a girls' varsity sport. It is expected that as athletic fields are developed in the rear of the new building, and as existing facilities are used more and more, the athletic pro- gram will thrive. More students will participate. Other sports will be introduced. The record of our athletic teams will improve.
Another part of the greatly expanded program is the Driver Edu- cation Course. In June, 1950, there was obtained from the Gildart Chevrolet Company a new 1950 four door Chevrolet for a token pay- ment of $1.00. Mr. Ralph Ambrose was the instructor who held the Certificate from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. When he was called into the Service last August, Mr. Joseph Donovan, Jr., agreed to un- dertake the work, after qualifying by taking the Instructor's Course to obtain his Registry certificate. Twenty-four Seniors are nearly ready to take the Registry's driving test for their driver's license. If by proper instruction, correct driving attitudes and habits are incul- cated so that only one fatal accident is avoided, the course will have paid for itself a thousand times over.
In addition to his other duties, Mr. Ambrose was Director of Guidance in the High School. In his absence, this responsibility was given to Mr. Harland Whittredge, who had been serving as Director of Employment in addition to his regular teaching assignment. As the opportunity develops, more and more time should be devoted to this important work.
Of the new personnel in the school, all have been mentioned save two. Because of increased enrollment, Mr. Anthony DeLuca, a grad-
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uate of Salem Teachers'-College, was engaged to teach in the Com- mercial Department. He is proving to be a competent teacher and an excellent addition to our staff. Miss Barbara Lewis was invited to fill the new position of office secretry, and cashier and bookkeeper for the Lunch Program. To these tasks she has brought superior ability, good judgment and absolute integrity.
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