Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960, Part 21

Author: Wilbraham (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 654


USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960 > Part 21


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Wallace C. Tiffany


Betterment Assessment Study Committee


Frank Auchter, Town Counsel


Richard L. Danforth


Albert H. Howes


Leo E. Kuehn


George Alden Safford


Stevens L. Shea


Walter L. Woods


Selectmen's Report


The past year has been a year in which many projects have been completed. These accomplishments include the dedication of two of our churches, Wilbraham United Church and St. Cecelia's Church, the new Post Office, a group of stores at Wilbraham Center and the twelve room addition at the Stony Hill School. The Building Inspector's report indicates that fewer new homes were constructed but new residential building shows a trend toward slightly higher-priced homes. We also completed during the past year a new Highway Department building which now gives us plenty of storage space for the Highway and Police vehicles and equipment.


Another item of major interest was the building of the first radioactive fall out shelter which was completed just south of the Fire Station on U. S. Route 20 at no cost to the Town. Our Fire Department likewise distinguished themselves by build-


7


ing a tanker at a cost of just under $800, which has a valuation for insurance purposes of $15,000.


Your Board, with the cooperation of the Planning Board, Assessors and Finance Committee, have been working hard to encourage business and industrial concerns to locate in Town. By this time a large 24 unit motel and a 30 lane bowling alley are in the process of construction just adjacent to the Parkway Theatre. By Town Meeting time we may know whether the Friendly Ice Cream Corporation will locate its processing plant in Town. Every possible effort to cooperate and assist in this venture has been extended, and to those who have helped we express our appreciation.


Our Highway Department has done a fine job on the new construction of Monson Road from Ridge Road to Bolles Road. under our Chapter 90 construction grant. We realize this project cost more money than was originally contemplated, but because of the change in plans made by the State Engineer and


Wilbraham United Church


Photo by Bogue


8


T


Saint Cecelia's Church


--


Photo by Bogue


the massive washouts due to heavy rains during construction, our cost exceeded its original estimate.


This year, 1959, we hope to do the rough work on Monson Road from Ridge Road to Glendale Road and perhaps finish the job in 1960 or 1961.


Under our Chapter 81 construction grant for the coming year we hope, with the cooperation of the State Department of Public Works, to continue work on Faculty Street. This project was started during 1958.


One item of major importance is the problem of sewerage. It is one of the most needed services when considering Business and Industrial Development. We are also aware that it will be necessary to discontinue dumping sewerage directly into the Chicopee River from the two small systems that we now have. This problem is going to require a great deal of study and the Town must be prepared to provide the necessary solution some- time in the near future. However, extensions of the sewer sys- tem will be expensive and if we can delay action until a specific need is indicated we will, in the meantime, be better able to carry the financial burdens we already face.


Another problem that is foremost in our minds is that of drainage. There are many areas and sections of our highways that are badly in need of proper surface drainage. This is also a very expensive proposition and some consideration will have to be given this subject in the very near future.


9


Some time ago the Selectmen appointed an Insurance Com- mittee to study the insurance problems of the Town and to submit to us any changes they might recommend. You will see by their report that they have been very active. We as Select- men certainly appreciate the help this committee has given to us and our Town.


The new type street lights will be extended during the com- ing year to include those areas where sidewalks are installed and also near the entrances to our various schools. As stated in our previous report we would like to see this program continued by slightly increasing our budget each year until all main roads and major intersections have been properly lighted.


As a result of the vote of the townspeople at the Annual Meeting in 1958, the boundaries of the three voting precincts have been changed so as to balance the population more evenly and thus facilitate the counting of ballots at elections. Also based on the vote at the 1958 Town Meeting, Town Elections and the Annual Town Meeting will, beginning in 1959, be held on separate days, with the election falling on the first Saturday in March and the Annual Meeting following within 30 days on a date set by the Selectmen.


The Massachusetts General Laws require that all persons on the Town payroll, other than those holding elective office, be retired at age 70. Because of compulsory retirement in the past year we were indeed sorry to lose the services of the following persons, who have served the Town conscientiously for many years: Mary G. Logan, Library; George Herter, Building Inspec- tor; Wesley H. Holdridge, School Traffic Officer; and Baltas Skorupski, Highway Department.


The Town has grown to the extent that a new Fire Station is needed in Wilbraham Center. We are currently using a garage loaned by Wilbraham Academy, but the new piece of equipment, together with the old "Reo" must have new and larger quarters. Your Board, with the Fire Commissioners, have had several meetings with an architect to decide on the type of building the Town can afford. All construction bids were re- jected once because of excessive costs. This is one example of our endeavor to keep cost at a minimum for all departments for which we are responsible.


JESSE L. RICE, Chairman RICHARD L. DANFORTH


ROGER T. HINTZE


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-


Photo by Bogue


Wilbraham Post Office


Assessors' Report


Appropriations to be raised by taxation


$940,144.27 221,563.00


$1,161,707.27


Tax and Assessments:


State Parks and Reservations


$2,509.85


State Audit of Municipal Accounts


1,004.39


County Tax


11,880.36


Tuberculosis Hospital assessment


396.08


Overlay of current year


18,110.83


33,901.51


Gross amount to be raised


$1,195,608.78


ESTIMATED RECEIPTS


Income Tax


$71,047.53


Corporation Taxes


20,833.82


Reimbursement on account of


publicly owned land


379.57


Old Age Meal Tax


776.18


Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise


84,000.00


Licenses


6,300.00


Fines


2,000.00


Special Assessments


5,000.00


General Government


2,000.00


Protection of Persons and Property


100.00


Charities (other than Federal grants)


5,000.00


Old Age Assistance (other than Federal grants) 12,000.00 Veterans' Service 1,000.00


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Appropriations taken from available funds


Schools (Funds from Income Tax not to be included) 43,000.00


Public Service Enterprises (Water)


45,000.00


Interest (On Taxes and


Assessments $500.00. Deposit $2,000.00) 2,500.00


State Assistance for School Construction


64,000.00


Farm Animal Excise 100.00


Overestimates County T. B. Hospital


344.01


Taken from Available Funds


221,907.01


$586,944.11


Net Amount to be raised by Taxation on Polls and Property


608,664.67


$1,195,608.78


Number of Polls - 1,980


$3,960.00


Valuation of Personal Property


$650,200.00


Tax on Personal Property


35,761.00


Valuation of Real Estate


10,344,430.00


Tax on Real Estate


$10,994,630.00


568,943.67


$608,664.67


Tax Rate per $1,000 - $55.00


Tax on Motor Vehicles


$123,964.82


Abatements on 1958 levy


7,369.73


Number of dwellings assessed - 1,910


GEORGE ALDEN SAFFORD, Chairman E. RAY PEASE ALLAN R. KINNEY


New Stores in Wilbraham Center


Photo by Bogue


HARDWARE CENTRE


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12


School Committee Report SUMMARY OF 1958 ACTION


The record of the Wilbraham Public Schools in 1958 is one of growth and improvement. The expansion of the physical plant, culminating with the opening of the Stony Hill addition in September, provides adequate space in which to maintain an excellent pupil teacher ratio and to provide a sound learning situation. The long range planning and conscientious efforts of the several study and building committees and the enthusiastic support of the citizens over the past years are reflected in the enviable Wilbraham school facilities.


One method of appraising the quality of the instructional program in the local school system is to study carefully the academic growth and achievement earned by our pupils in the competitive high school situation. The results of this study indicate a rising level of improvement and strong evidence that the Wilbraham pupils are entering high school well prepared to be successful.


In 1958, for the fourth successive year, the Wilbraham public schools made available a six weeks summer school program. Originally conceived as an opportunity for pupils to overcome academic difficulties, acquire basic skills not mastered during the school year, and to compensate for instructional time lost through absence and illness, the program has annually been productive. The 1958 summer school prepared 51 pupils for promotion and 91 additional pupils were able to remove an academic deficiency from the records. Throughout the last four years, the program has been observed and studied by school officials in this area. Last year, two area committees introduced a summer school.


The sudden awareness by the public of the importance of public school education and the nation wide demand for more effective use of teaching facilities and personnel, as evidenced by repeated studies and reports in national publications, have not required major revisions in the program offered in Wilbra- ham. A directive, received in September from Dr. Owen B. Kiernan, Commissioner of Education for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, establishing a minimum number of school days and school hours below which state financial assistance would be withheld, had been anticipated and enacted in Wilbraham four years ago. The philosophy of the committee continues to be based on providing an effective educational opportunity for


13


our pupils. Our reading, science, and mathematics programs have been well established and continue to improve.


Believing that the best results can only be realized by fully coordinating the efforts of parents and teachers, the committee, in September, introduced a systematic program of teacher parent conferences. Each week at scheduled times, teachers are avail- able to meet with parents on an appointment basis. Such a conference may be requested, either by the parent or the school staff. A limited evaluation of the conference program, based on the four month period, recommends its continuance.


The need for some pupils to receive individual help has long been a problem of group instruction. In September, on a formal basis, an after-school helping period was established to give special assistance for a pupil, either as requested by the parents or upon the recommendation of the teacher. Again, only a limited evaluation is available because the program has had a four months trial basis. Present results indicate the program is of value.


The committee is proud of its experienced and trained teach- ing staff. It firmly believes that the record of the past few diffi- cult years during which time Wilbraham has been able to both attract outstanding beginning teachers and hold experienced staff members, is the result of establishing and maintaining a realistic competitive salary schedule. In a period of rapidly increasing pupil enrollments and an acute shortage of qualified teachers, our salary schedule has provided an improved staff. Coupled with the competitive schedule in making Wilbraham a desirable place of employment, is the in service training pro- gram leading to professional proficiency and advancement, and the availability of supervisors and helping teachers skilled in guiding beginning teachers. The quality and number of candi- dates applying in Wilbraham reflect the reputation the school system has earned.


The community use of the school facilities again shows an increase. While a large percentage of the after-school hours continues to be utilized by youth activities, adult use of the schools is increasing. The cost of these programs, custodial sala- ries, heat, light, and maintenance has been partly paid by appro- priated funds. In an effort to more equably assess these affairs that are of a fund raising nature, the committee has revised the regulations and rental schedule. Youth and educational programs


14


will continue to be subsidized.


Early in June, the auditorium of the Stony Hill School was dedicated with appropriate exercises as the H. Willis Cutler Auditorium in memory of Mr. H. Willis Cutler, Chairman of the Wilbraham School Committee from 1920 to 1948. Taking part in the dedication exercises were Mr. Dorrance T. Green, Committee Chairman; Mr. Jesse Rice, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen; Mr. J. Loring Brooks, former Selectman; Mrs. Arthur Preston, former School Committee member; and Mr. Frederick A. Wheeler, former Superintendent of Schools for Wilbraham. Mrs. H. Willis Cutler unveiled the memorial plaque and presented an American flag for use in the auditorium.


The School Committee wishes to express its appreciation to the citizens and official committees of Wilbraham for the assist- ance and support received this year. The continued conscientious work and educational efforts of the school staff are commend- able and are reflected in the pride this committee feels towards the school program.


BUDGET ESTIMATE, 1959


General Expenses:


Expense of School Committee


$175.00


Superintendent's Salary


8,700.00


Expense of Superintendence (to include out-of-state travel)


8,656.00


Expense of Instruction :


Supervisors' Salaries


21,834.00


Principals' Salaries


12,275.00


Expense of Principalship


5,583.00


Teachers' Salaries


246,939.00


Textbooks


5,890.00


Supplies


10,286.00


Expense of Operation :


Custodians' Salaries


24,792.00


Fuel


11,260.00


Miscellaneous


13,286.00


Maintenance :


Repairs and Replacements


4,195.00


Auxiliary Agencies:


Health


5,224.00


Transportation


58,642.00


Tuition


90,130.00


Miscellaneous Auxiliary


4,500.00


Outlay :


New Equipment


500.00


$532,867.00


Less Public Law 874 money


10,000.00


$522,867.00


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1959 CREDIT ESTIMATES ON ACCOUNT OF EDUCATION


Chapter 71, Section 7A, Transportation


Chapter 70, Section 3


$41,000.00 64,000.00


Vocational


4,000.00


Vocational Balance, 1958


301.72


State Wards


1,500.00


Special Class


3,000.00 $113,801.72


Chapter 70, Section 3B Regional


9,627.00


MR. DORRANCE T. GREEN, Chairman


MR. ALEXANDER W. MARCO


$123,428.72 MRS. ETHEL F. MUSSELMAN MR. MARSHALL E. ROPER MRS. MARGARET L. WILLIAMS


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


(By vote of the Wilbraham School Committee, the report of the Superintendent of Schools has been adopted as part of the Annual Committee report)


To the School Committee of the Town of Wilbraham:


As Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Wilbraham I submit my seventh annual report. The charts and tables at the end of this report constitute a summary of this year's growth and progress.


Advances in education are the result of evolutionary rather than revolutionary processes. As parents desire broader educa- tional opportunities for their children and as society constantly requires a higher level of achievement and proficiency from its citizenry, the public schools of this country will continue to reflect the changing aspirations and needs of the students and the nation. The period during which a first grade pupil advances through the elementary, secondary, and perhaps college years, into the arena of adult living and gainful employment, and begins sending his children to school, constitutes the time required to accurately weigh and judge the success of an educational pro- gram.


No single scientific accomplishment, even the awe inspiring launching of a man-made satellite, can obscure the magnificent achievement of the American public schools over the last forty years when our youth were preparing for a changing world. Twice within this period, our citizenry has totally mobilized the industrial, scientific, and productive resources of the free world and has provided the moral and physical leadership to end the conflict in victory.


16


Faced with the world wide depression of the thirties, citizens of some nations surrendered both personal and political freedom rather than contend with an uncertain future. Surely, the will- ingness displayed by the American people to work long, hard hours in the face of every adversity, to accept defeat and labo- rious toil as the price of a better opportunity for their children, and to thoughtfully and critically examine each new philosophy, seeking out both the promise of improvements and the price of attainment, are the products of an educational system that charges each individual with the duty and responsibility of deciding wisely, not only his fate, but that of society. The very framework of the Constitution contains the foundation of the American success formula - freedom of opportunity for all, regardless of race, color, or creed. The opportunity to try, fail, and to try again is guaranteed to all our youth and all our citi- zens. Not equality in physical possessions, financial, intellectual, or social position, but equality of opportunity to grasp and to hold the symbols of achievement is guaranteed. Within the laws of our society, no goal is unobtainable, no dream too vision- ary, for those who are willing to sacrifice and meet the harsh terms of success.


Our schools are founded on the principle of equal educational opportunity for all our youth. Each is guaranteed the oppor- tunity to search and discover his own area of successful achieve- ment. Two factors continue to keep the education program and process fluid and changing: one, the evaluation by students and faculty in revising objectives and methods, and, two, society's appraisal in meeting the requirements of a changing world.


Russia's success, the first man-made satellite in orbit, was achieved by channeling all creative and productive efforts into one project. All political and personal freedoms, all efforts to improve the standard of living and to re-establish the importance of the individual, all hopes for a better world tomorrow and a brotherhood of nations at peace, were sacrificed for this mam- moth project. There are those among us, beneficiaries of the American way of life, successful today because they were granted the opportunity to make their own decisions and seek their own goals, who would disregard the record of the last forty years and convert our educational system into a facsimile of Russia's.


Unless we continue to develop an informed citizenry with a knowledge of the civilizations of the past and the successes and


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failures of leaders who destroyed their own creations in a lust for power, individuals who can think and decide for themselves, a society that is willing to meet its responsibilities not only for the present but for future generations, no major concentrations in any single area of learning by all the available intellectual manpower inherent in generations to come, can produce citizens equipped to govern themselves. Any nation, formulating a sys- tem of education that attempts to control the dreams and aspira- tions of men, that denies the opportunity to try, fail, and try again to all citizens, is as doomed to failure as the destroyed empires of the past.


The American school system must continue to develop within each individual the ability to make wise decisions and to follow intelligently a course toward self achievement. The value of each goal attained must be measured in the effort expended and the sacrifice made. The stern assignment facing the schools of today is not to out produce Russia, but rather to make certain that the next generation is as well prepared, courageously effec- tive, decisive in thought and action, and unselfish in sacrifice, as the school graduates of the past forty years.


Any appraisal of the soundness and the accomplishments of the American educational system emphasizes the importance and need for continued evaluation and improvement. Our excel- lent facilities and competent teachers can always be utilized more efficiently. Too often, the inherent potential has not been developed. In our search for improved educational development, as evidenced by the tremendous annual investment in public education, we need to remember that the successes of the free world have always been based on the ability of the majority of our people to reason resourcefully and to create opportunities through their own efforts. Neither an emergency program, spend- ing millions to produce uncultured specialists at the expense of all other areas, nor a complacency with the methods and achieve- ments of the past, can produce the citizens this country must have. Only as the present educational plan and process is refined and strengthened by the critical evaluation and support of all the citizens, only as educational goals are reviewed and rede- fined in the light of changing world responsibility, and only as the youth in each generation rediscovers the rewarding promise of freedom of opportunity, can we be certain that our educa- tional efforts are successful.


IRVING H. AGARD


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PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS


Name


Position


Year Appointed


Education and Professional Training


Office :


Irving H. Agard


Superintendent


1950


Christine Clark


Executive Secretary


1950


Joann L. LedDuke


Secretary


1957


The Pines School :


Robert D. Bengle


Principal, Grade 6


1953


B.S., Tufts; M.Ed., Springfield College


Helen S. Strauss


Grade 5


1930


B.S., M.S., Columbia, Springfield College


Thelma G. Melvin


Grade 4


1958


B.S., M.Ed., Springfield College


Therese M. Dowd


Grade 3


1957


A.B., Our Lady of the Elms College


Carol A. Bedore


Grade 2


1958


B.S., Westfield State Teachers College


Mary E. Johnston


Grade 1


1950


Michael Pyzocha


Custodian


1954


Stony Hill School:


Richard J. Curry


Principal


1954


B.A., M.A., A. I. C.


Marion H. Castaldini


Secretary, Pines and Stony Hill


1956


Muriel G. Monaghan


Grade 6


1958


B.S., Westfield State Teachers College


Gordon Bates


Grade 6


1958


B.S., Springfield College


Thomas W. Lennon


Grade 6


1958


B.S., A. I. C.


Henry Ochrymowicz


Grade 5


1958


B.A., A. I. C.


Gina I. Frangie


Gradc 5


1954


B.A., M.Ed., A. I. C., Springfield College


Mary E. Moody


Grade 5


1955


Fitchburg State Teachers College


Doris A. Schmidt


Grade 4


1957


B.S., Westfield State Teachers College


Alice F. Foley


Grade 4


1955


Westfield State Teachers College


Helene Janeczek Calabro


Grade 4


1958


B.S., A. I. C.


Margaret T. Sabin


Grade 3


1958


B.A., Bates College


Rosina M. Kramer


Grade 3


1958


B.A., A. I. C.


Joyce S. Bowser


Grade 3


1958


B.A., Providence-Burrington Bible College


B.A., M.Ed., Lafayette, Fitchburg State Teachers College Ac.S., B.S., Bay Path, A. I. C.


Westfield State Teachers College


19


PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Continued)


Name


Position


Year Appointed


Education and Professional Training


Charlotte E. Prochnow


Grade 2


1957


B.S., Bridgewater State Teachers College


Cynthia Adams


Grade 2


1957


B.S., Springfield College


Frances A. Ward


Grade 2


1954


B.S., Worcester State Teachers College


Joanne S. Ewig


Grade 1


1955


B.S., Skidmore College


Ruth Lesser


Grade 1


1958


B.A., A. I. C.


Madeline Harrington


Grade 1


1952


Stella C. Mondoux


Grade 1


1958


B.S., Westfield State Teachers College


Henry Hyde


Custodian


1954


Thomas W. Farnham


Custodian


1958


Memorial School :


Lincoln A. Dexter


Principal


1954


B.S., M.Ed., Rhode Island State, Worcester State Teachers College


Florence M. LeVan


Secretary


1956


Doris H. Alleman


Junior High


1956


A. Louise Bradley


Junior High


1952


Ronald J. Clark


Junior High


1958


Charles T. Coolong


Special Class


1958


Olindo Dragone


Junior High, Guidance


1956


B.A., M.A., University of N. Carolina,


Middlebury, University of Naples


Robert P. Garvey


Junior High


1955


B.A., St. Anselm's


Robert Kime


Junior High


1956


B.S., State Teachers of Boston


James R. Rafferty


Junior High


1957


B.B.A., University of Massachusetts


Julia F. Rosenbeck


Junior High


1954


Framingham State Teachers College


Alan J. Rubin


Junior High


1955


B.A., M.A., A. I. C.


Joan C. Ruggles


Junior High


1956


B.S., Springfield College


Richard P. Spencer


Junior High


1953


B.A., University of Massachusetts


Richard S. Ullery


Junior High


1958


B.A., A. I. C.


Irene Walinski


Junior High


1957


Helen Walinski


Junior High


1953


A.B., Our Lady of the Elms College B.A., Our Lady of the Elms College, M.E., Springfield College


20


B.S., A. I. C.


B.A., M.A., A. I. C.


B.S., Springfield College


B.S., Fitchburg State Teachers College


B.S., M.S., University of Massachusetts


21


Joseph Zych


Junior High


1958


B.S., Springfield College


Special Class


1958


Carolyn Paulides


Grade 6


1957


Amelia Riley


Grade 6


1957


B.Sc., Worcester State Teachers College


William Kozlowski


Grade 5


1957


B.S., Westfield State Teachers College


Frank Marshall


Grade 4


1958


B.S., Springfield College


Barbara Hanson


Grade 3


1957


Marion L. Holland


Grade 2


1922


Clara B. Merrill




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