USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960 > Part 40
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Westfield State Teachers College
26
Education and Professional Training B.S., M.S., University of Massachusetts B.S., Westfield State Teachers College
B.A., M.A., American International Col. B.S., Fitchburg State Teachers College
Ruth Lesser
27
Robert P. Garvey
Junior High
1955
B.A., St. Anselm's
Ruth W. Herter
Junior High
1959
B.A.E., Rhode Island School of Design B.B.A., University of Massachusetts
James R. Rafferty
Junior High
1957
Julia F. Rosenbeck
Junior High
1954
Framingham State Teachers College B.A., M.A., American International Col.
Alan J. Rubin
Junior High
1955
Joan C. Ruggles
Junior High
1956
B.S., Springfield College
Cleone F. Smith
Junior High
1959
A.B., Middlebury College
Richard S. Ullery
Junior High, Guidance
1958
B.A., American International College
Irene Walinski
Junior High
1957
A.B., M.Ed., College of Our Lady of the
Joseph K. Zych, Jr.
Junior High
1958
B.S., Springfield College
Rosemarie Gill
Junior High
1960
B.S., Salem Teachers. College
Paul E. Pesce
Junior High
1960
B.S., Salem Teachers College
Richard A. MacGillivray
Special Class
1959
B.S., Fitchburg State Teachers College
Frank Marshall
Grade 6
1958
B.S., Springfield College
James Tremble
Grade 5
1960
B.S., Springfield College
Irene C. Donelan
Grade 4
1959
A.B., Our Lady of the Elms College
Sara Solz Skalla
Grade 3
1960
B.S., Springfield College
Marion L. Holland
Grade 2
1922
Springfield Teachers College
Clara B. Merrill
Grade 1
1944
Farmington State College
John Polaczak
Head Custodian
1949
Donald Collette
Custodian
1959
John Wnuk
Custodian
1959
Emma Chamberlin
Cook
1956
Eva Cloutier
Cook
1958
Emily Bready
Cook
1960
Charlotte Babineau
Cook
1960
Supervisors and
Special Subject Teachers :
Ruth G. Backus
Elementary Supervisor
1953
Millicent G. Green
Handwriting
1938
John K. Ault
Physical Education
1960
Framingham State Teachers College North Adams State Teachers College B.S., M.S., St. Lawrence Univ .; Springfield College
Elms; Springfield College
PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE WILBRAHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Continued)
Name
Position
Year Appointed
Education and Professional Training
Margaret G. Brady
Librarian
1942
Perry Normal
Esther Johnson
Music
1949
Westfield State Teachers College
Marion H. Mckinstry
Art
1956
Massachusetts School of Art
Margaret M. Kiely
Adjustment Counsellor
1959
B.A., M.Ed., American International
College; Springfield College
Merilis Scott
School Psychologist
1960
B.S., M.S., Fitchburg; Springfield College
May Jenkins
Manager, Hot Lunch
1950
Health :
Janet M. Horacek
Nurse
1954
R.N., Springfield Hospital
Arthur H. Goodwin
Doctor
1947
M.D., Tufts
George H. Nieske
Dentist
1959
D.M.D., University of Maryland; American International College
Transportation : George W. Motyka 1932
Changes in school personnel not shown in the preceding chart arc:
Robert Bengle, Principal, resigned August 24, 1960 Annamae Martin, Teacher, resigned June 24, 1960 Honorata Opalinski, Cook, resigned October 1, 1960 Regina Abbiati, Teacher, resigned June 24, 1960 Henry Ochrymowicz, Teacher, resigned September 1, 1960 Ronald Clark, Teacher, resigned June 24, 1960 George Morrison, Custodian, retired August 1, 1960 Carol Glista, Teacher, resigned December 31, 1960 Joyce Bowser, Teacher, resigned December 31, 1960 Barbara Hanson, Teacher, resigned December 31, 1960 Marilis Scott, School Psychologist, Maternity leave of absence, September 1, 1960 . December 31, 1960 Muriel Jones, Cook, resigned June 24, 1960 Mary Marco, Cook, resigned September 30, 1960
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SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
[Continued from Page 24}
The Problems: There is an immediate, serious need for addi- tional grade 1-6 classrooms and even if construction is started in 1961, some disruption will occur before the new facilities can be used. The present Junior High School grades 7-8 can be made to absorb some overcrowding over the next few years by changes in the existing building such as improved feeding facilities and portable science facilities.
The Proposed Long-Range Plan: Plan to continue adding about 3 classrooms per year, or a 20 room school every 7 years, or make equivalent provisions to house the continuing growth in school enrollment. Provide for possibility of an ultimately all- elementary school system. Continue a holding action on Junior High School needs to allow consideration of further regionaliza- tion at a future date - possibly 1964.
The Proposed Immediate Program: Construct additional ele- mentary school facilities for occupancy in September 1962 to handle the expected normal increase through 1964 - a total of 12 rooms needed. Revise the kitchen feeding line and storage facilities at Memorial School to facilitate handling larger Junior High School enrollment. Review normal forecasts, both Memo- rial and Regional, in 1963 to anticipate and provide for action required in 1964 or 1965 per the long range strategy proposed.
In accordance with these recommendations and operating un- der the mandate from the citizens of Wilbraham as given in the June 6, 1960 Special Town Meeting, the Wilbraham School Building Committee engaged the firm of Alderman and Mac- Neish as architects and with the cooperation of the administra- tive staff of the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Com- mission studied a series of proposed solutions to both the 12-room additions problem and the Memorial kitchen problem. The major solutions proposed for the 12 room additions were:
several proposals for new 12-room schools on a variety of new sites in the south central portion of town; a new 12. room school on a new site in the northeast area of the town; a new 12-room school on a new site in the northwest area of the town; a combination of 6 classrooms added to the Memorial School and 4 classrooms added at the Stony Hill School; a 12 classroom plus cafeteria addition at the Pines School.
29
Each of these proposals was studied in depth and costs analy- ses were drafted from rough preliminary layouts. In making these economic analyses, the Committee considered both the initial cost of building the structure and the continuing opera- tional cost that would be involved. The 12 classrooms plus cafe' teria addition at the Pines School was the least expensive in both categories.
It also developed during the course of these studies that the present 6 room Pines School is not a satisfactorily efficient school unit either economically or educationally because its small size limits the school administration severely and hampers efficient operation. A recent check of school enrollment indicates the larger growth is occurring in the area serviced by Pines School, These factors give added validity to the selection of this particular course of action.
With the addition of the 12 classrooms and cafeteria at the Pines School and the enlarged kitchen at the Memorial School, the township will then have two self-contained and efficient 18-room elementary schools (Stony Hill and Pines) and one self- contained and efficient 22-room combination elementary and Junior High School (Memorial), which in the opinion of the Committee and school authorities is not only an adequate and efficient school facility but also gives a firm base from which to make the needed 1964 moves with surety.
The estimated costs of this work are as follows:
Pines School Addition
Alterations
New Constr. Memorial Kitchen
General Contract
$3,700
$358,300
$46,500
Architect's Fees
300
27,700
4,000
Equipment
25,000
3,000
Cost of Land
-
18,000
Other Costs
500
31,500
4,500
$4,500 plus $460,500
Total
$465,000
$58,000
Approval has been received from the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission on our preliminary plans and educational specifications for the Pines addition. This is a fore' runner of approval by the Massachusetts School Building Assist-
30
ance Commission at a later date which will result in a 50-50 sharing of these building costs with the State so that the ulti- mate burden to be borne directly by Wilbraham will be greatly reduced and well within the town's means to finance without seriously affecting the tax structure. It should be recognized that the added cost of educating the children who will occupy these 12 classrooms will, of course, be reflected directly in the future school budget needs which must be reckoned with through direct taxation.
The Memorial School kitchen expansion does not come within the bounds of the Massachusetts School Building Assistance laws and this total cost must be paid directly and entirely by the Town of Wilbraham. The $58,000 needed, with the approval of your Selectmen and Finance Committee, will be taken from the surplus funds remaining from the construction of the Stony Hill School. This should not result in any effect upon the tax rate.
The Special Town Meeting of January 16, 1961 approved both of these proposals authorizing the purchase of the required additional land adjacent to the Pines School ($18,000.00 appro- priation), obtaining of construction bids for the Pines School Addition ($15,000.00 appropriation), and the construction of the Memorial Kitchen alterations ($58,000.00 transferred from the Stony Hill Addition surplus) .
The Committee has scheduled the bidding of the Pines School Addition so that, if no difficulties are encountered, bids will be received on March 9. The request for approval of construction funds and financing methods, which will be presented to the March 11 Annual Town Meeting, will be based on these firm bids.
The Committee has scheduled the bidding of the Memorial Kitchen so that the work may be awarded to the successful con- tractor in late March. It is expected that this work can be com- pleted this summer without interfering with school operation.
MICHAEL F. X. GIGLIOTTI, Chairman
ALLAN A. CAMPBELL DORRANCE T. GREEN
FRED T. GOOGINS
MRS. BYRON I. MUSSELMAN
ANGELO C. PESSOLANO
ROBERT P. WHITTIER
31
Report of the School Committee
Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
By January 1, 1960, the construction phase of Minnechaug High School was completed; equipment had been purchased and installed, and grade 9, 10, and 11 pupils were enrolled in the program. No longer involved in the problems and decisions in- herent in constructing a building and organizing a new school plant, the District Committee has been able to concentrate on defining long range objectives, and developing personnel and edu- cational policies. The committee has, in developing policies and regulations, attempted to insure a stability of operation and a growth of purpose among the faculty and students of the high school that will guarantee a sound educational system.
The sole purpose for the formation of this school district was to provide an improved educational opportunity for the pupils. Every effort has been made to provide the necessary facilities and equipment for an outstanding school program, and a visit to the school provides ample evidence that the efforts have been success- ful. Purposeful and intelligent utilization of the facilities by a qualified teaching staff and enthusiastic students is the goal of this committee.
It is through the development of personnel and educational policies that the school committee can best influence the con- tinued growth and improvement of the school program. As community elected representatives, it is the duty of the school committee to employ and retain qualified personnel to operate the school program. The school committee determines the level of instruction to be provided and the quality of excellence to work towards. The committee delegates the day to day operation of the school to qualified professional people.
A school system is a complex organization of individual abili- ties and differences, constantly adjusting to meet the demands of a changing society. The native ability of the individual stu- dents, the extent to which a pupil will apply himself, and the efforts of the teachers, all determine the academic growth of a student. The record a school achieves is the total of the records of individual students as judged and evaluated over a period of years.
Already, Minnechaug High School is beginning to establish a
32
record among informed people. Admission officers in institutions of advanced education are observing our educational practices and the records of pupil performance. Some of our pupils are seeking employment immediately following graduation from high school, and employers are interested in work habits, intellectual growth, and the development of basic skills.
At the end of the first academic school year, a major revision in the organization of the school day was adopted. Starting in September, 1960, the amount of instructional time devoted to academic subjects was increased 20 per cent by having classes meet every day instead of four times a week. In the area of science, classes meet six periods a week to insure sufficient lab- oratory time. Where previously a pupil could schedule several non academic activities within the school day, the revised pro- gram restricts participation to a single activity during school time, while continuing to provide the expanded program between 3:30 and 5 p. m.
Of major concern to the committee as both immediate and long range policies were developed, has been the need to employ and retain outstanding faculty members. The committee is con- vinced that the major factor in insuring a continued improvement in the school program is personnel recruitment and retention. In 1960, the District School Committee honestly faced the problem of insuring a stable faculty of qualified teachers. In 1958, the committee had developed a salary schedule with a $4,000 mini- mum, and was well satisfied with the excellent staff that opened Minnechaug High School. For two years, the salary schedule in the District has remained unchanged while the state minimum salary was raised to $4,000, and area communities increased their salaries. Months of careful study, analysis, comparison with other school systems, and with industrial recruiting programs, have resulted in the adoption of a salary policy and schedule that will attract outstanding new teachers and retain qualified mem- bers of the present staff. The new minimum or starting salary in this District, $4,300, will go into effect September 1, 1961. It provides annual increases based on performance, and is com- petitive with area school systems and with starting salaries in industry for individuals with a college degree.
The total educational program in the District has been strength- ened with a series of subject matter meetings in all areas. Teach- ers of English, history, mathematics, and art, in grades one to
33
twelve, have been meeting to outline a course of study and insure a logical development of instruction as the pupils advance through the grades.
After careful study, the committee has developed a unique approach to the question of providing driver education training in the high school. Believing that a knowledge and understand- ing of the motor vehicle laws must be supported by an acceptable attitude of respect for the rights and safety of others if our youth are to be licensed as drivers, the committee policy requires that every pupil graduating from Minnechaug High School must have taken the thirty hour classroom phase of the driver education course, a prerequisite to behind the wheel training. The latter, with its insurance reduction return, is an elective course taught after school hours on a pupil payment basis.
A faculty council has been formed in the high school to advise on the development of educational policy and operational regu- lations. After two meetings, the faculty is enthusiastic in the development of this program, which will assist in developing a strong school.
Following the 1960 March town meetings, Mrs. Howard Gray replaced Mr. Howard MacMullen as the Hampden elected member, and Mr. Dudley N. Hartt, Jr. and Mr. Harold W. Barber replaced Mr. Ernest W. Furnans and Mr. Robert C. Soderberg as elected members from Wilbraham. Mr. Donald E. Dickinson of Hampden, and Mr. Alexander W. Marco of Wilbraham were reappointed by their respective Town School Committees to serve on the Regional District Committee. The committee organized with Mr. John R. Lyman, Chairman, and Mrs. Charles I. Bowman, Vice-chairman. Mr. Furnans and Mr. MacMullen have served on the Regional District School Com- mittee since its formation in 1956, and prior to that time were members of the Regional District Planning Committee.
Mr. Furnans served as legal advisor to the committee and supervised the preparation of the Regional agreement and all contracts entered into by the committee. His careful approach to each new question, his insistance on a legal review of each decision, and his continued efforts to insure a lasting educational effort, have created a tradition of service and thoroughness for the committee to follow.
Mr. MacMullen served as chairman of the District Committee during his last year of membership. In the planning and con-
34
struction period, he advised on the educational specifications and plant facilities. He brought to the committee an intense desire to develop a superior educational program, and worked consist- ently for the best interests of the pupils.
Mr. Robert C. Soderberg, who had accepted an appointment to the committee in August, 1959, when Mr. Francis E. Reese resigned, considerately did not seek election to the committee be- cause of conflicting business commitments.
In April, following three months of study and a pupil survey by the Bay State Rehabilitation Center, the committee voted to introduce a speech therapy program. The results of the study determined that a significant number of pupils in the District were handicapped in academic growth because of speech difficul- ties, and that the most practical solution was the establishment of a therapy program. The speech therapist is now conducting classes in Hampden and Wilbraham.
At the April meeting, the District Committee entered into a contract with the School Committee of Granby to accept a mini- mum of sixty grade nine Granby pupils on a tuition basis for the school year 1960-1961. This has been a very satisfactory arrange- ment. Granby is building a new high school, and had no place to educate the ninth grade for one year. The District has been able to improve the efficiency of its operation with the addition of these pupils. The build-up of staff experience has been ac- celerated; textbooks purchased for the Granby pupils become the property of the District, and the fixed capital and operating costs have been spread over a greater number of pupils.
In addition to the swimming and physical fitness classes for the youth and adults of the community offered on a self-support- ing basis, the committee has sponsored adult classes in Italian, Spanish, typewriting, creative writing, art, music, sewing, and woodworking. The acceptance and support of these programs and the community use of the tennis courts and school facilities have been most satisfactory.
The committee wishes to publicly express at this time, its appreciation to the staff for the dedicated enthusiasm with which it has faced the challenge of developing the school program and educating the pupils. The Superintendents merit special com- mendation for their anticipation of problems, excellent prepara- tion of background materials for committee action, and continued contributions toward making Minnechaug an outstanding high
35
school. We are doubly grateful for the efforts and support of the citizens of Hampden and Wilbraham.
MR. JOHN R. LYMAN, Chairman
MR. HAROLD W. BARBER MRS. HOWARD GRAY
MRS. CHARLES I. BOWMAN
MR. DONALD E. DICKINSON
MR. DUDLEY N. HARTT, JR. MR. ALEXANDER W. MARCO
HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 1960
Planning and Construction Budget Balance January 1, 1960
$55,003.65
Expenditures
33,257.06
Balance December 31, 1960
$21,746.59
Capital Costs Budget
1960 Assessments to Towns
$97,067.46
1960 State Construction Grant
67,271.91
Accrued Interest on Loan
1,044.16
Premium on Loan
1,398.47
Total Available
$166,782.00
Payment of Capital and Interest Charges
166,782.00
Operating Budget
1960 Assessments to Towns
$304,048.30
1960 Offsetting Credits
21,441.70
Total Available
$325,490.00
1960 Expenditures
304,540.57
To Surplus Revenue
$20,949.43
Surplus Revenue Account Balance January 1, 1960
$12,809.90
Receipts, 1960
63,729.30
$76,539.20
To 1961 Operating Budget, Credits
56,351.41
Balance January 1, 1961
$20,187.79
ASSESSMENT OF 1961 REVENUE
Capital Costs
Debt Service
New Equipment
$163,448.00 4,205.00
$167,653.00
Total Capital Costs
1961 Credits, Construction Grant
67,271.91
Capital Balance to Assess Towns $100,381.09
Hampden 22.5% - $22,585.75; Wilbraham 77.5% - $77,795.34
36
$0.00
Operating Budget
Total Budget less Capital Costs
$410,754.00 1961 Credits: Granby Tuition 87 x $118.75 $10,331.25
Transportation, Chapt. 71, Section 7A 25,900.00
1960 Receipts :
Recreation and Eve. Programs
2,939.24
Hall Rental 760.00
Misc. Receipts
1,036.92
Driver Education 384.00
Carry over from 1960 Balance 15,000.00
56,351.41
Operating Balance to Assess Towns
$354,402.59
Pupils : Hampden 119
Wilbraham 368
Percentage : Hampden 24.44
Wilbraham 75.56
Total 487 Total 100
Assessment :
Hampden $86,615.99
Wilbraham $267,786.60 $354,402.59
TOTAL ASSESSMENTS TO HAMPDEN AND WILBRAHAM
Capital
Operating
Total
14 Payment
Hampden
$22,585.75
$86,615.99
$109,201.74
$27,300.44
Wilbraham
77,795.34
267,786.60
345,581.94
86,395.48
$100,381.09
$354,402.59
$454,783.68
$113,695.92
Assessments payable in four equal installments not later than the first day of April, June, September, and December.
PUPIL ENROLLMENT BY GRADE
October 1, 1960
Grade
Granby
Hampden
Monson
Wilbraham
Total
9
86
33
101
220
10
36
99
135
11
27
83
110
12
23
1
85
109
86
119
1
368
574
1961 FINAL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING BUDGET
No.
Account
1961 Budget
1
General Control
$14,470.00
2 Expense of Instruction
261,814.00
3 Operation of Plant
49,516.00
4
Maintenance of Plant
7,224.00
5
Auxiliary Agencies
15,040.00
6
Outlay
4,205.00
7 Debt Service
163,448.00
8 Transportation
33,236.00
9 Special Charges
26,454.00
10 Temporary Borrowing
3,000.00
Total
$578,407.00
37
PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Name
Position
Year Appointed
Education and Professional Training
District Office :
Mrs. Grace Kibbe
District Treasurer
1956
Springfield Business College B.A., M.Ed., Lafayette;
Irving H. Agard
Superintendent
1956
Fitchburg State Teachers College
Kenneth E. Johnson
Assistant Superintendent
1957
Eva M. Ellis
Executive Secretary
1959
Joann LedDuke
Bookkeeper
1959
Anna B. Tupper
Secretary
1958
High School Office:
Arthur W. Reynolds
Principal
1958
Charles B. Thompson
Guidance Director
1958
Marjorie Bean
Secretary
1960
Virginia White
Secretary
1958
Teachers :
Rosetta Frigo Angelica
Business Education
1960
B.S., American International College
Rosemary Athearn
Social Studies
1960
B.A., Colby College
Donald G. Bamford
Mathematics
1959
B.S., University of Massachusetts
Barbara S. Broadbent
Physical Education
1959
B.S., Springfield College
Richard A. Brown
Sciences
1959
Christine G. Clark
Business Education
1959
Patricia Cox
Speech Therapist
1960
B.A., Bowdoin College Ac.S., B.S., Bay Path; American International College
B.A., M.Ed., Northwestern University; Boston. University
B.A., M.A., American International Col. Burdett College
A.B., M.Ed., Harvard; Boston University B.S., M.Ed., Springfield College; University of New Hampshire
38
Rosalie P. Curtis Leonard DeMaio James S. De Wolf Emerson Dunton Peter Gartner
English
1960
A.B., Bates College
Music
1960
Industrial Arts
1959
Physical Education
1959
English and Guidance
1959
Dwight D. Killam
Music
1959
William M. Kober
Physical Education
1960
Edgar A. Law
Mathematics
1960
Vivian Little
English
1959
Hartford Seminary Foundation
Patricia Madson
Home Economics
1960
B.A., St. Olaf College
Lois R. Megliola
Languages
1959
A.B., Mt. Holyoke College
Harold K. Miller
Mathematics
1959
B.S., Springfield College
John E. Moore
Industrial Arts
1959
B.S., Gorham State Teachers College
David L. Nass
Social Studies
1960
A.B., Brown University
Lee D. Post
Languages
1959
A.B., Mt. Holyoke College
Rose Riskalla
Business Education
1960
B.B.A., Northeastern University
George H. Robinson, Jr.
Mathematics and Science
1959
B.S., University of Massachusetts
Laura S. Saunders
Librarian
1959
B.S., Simmons College
Louise D. Schatz
Home Economics
1960
B.S., Cornell University
Daphne E. Scourtis
Languages
1960
A.B., Bates College
Mary E. Socha
Languages
1959
B.A., College of New Rochelle
Judith A. Solomon
English
1960
B.S., Simmons College
Richard P. Spencer
English
1959
B.A., University of Massachusetts
James F. Starkie
Music
1959
B.S., Lowell State College
Karl D. Sternberg
Mathematics and Science
1960
B.A., American International College
Carol W. Swanson
Social Studies and English
1960
A.B., Bates College
Richard I. Trenholm
Administrative Assistant and Social Studies 1960
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