Wilbraham annual report 1961-1965, Part 12

Author: Wilbraham (Mass.)
Publication date: 1961
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 884


USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1961-1965 > Part 12


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56


Stony Hill School:


Alan J. Rubin


Principal


1955


Ruth Fay


Secretary


1962


Gina Frangie


Grade 5


1954


B.A., M.Ed., American International College; Springfield College


Amelia S. Riley


Grade 5


1957


Eleanor Fink


Grade 5


1962


Alice Kozlowski


Grade 5


1962


B.S., State College at Westfield


Alice F. Foley


Grade 4


1955


State College at Westfield


Elizabeth C. Benson


Grade 4


1959


B.S., State College at Westfield


Mildred Powell


Grade 4


1960


B.S., Univ. of Nebraska; Univ. of Mass.


Virginia Sternberg


Grade 4


1961


B.S., American International College


Therese Dowd


Grade 3


1957


A.B., Our Lady of the Elms College


Charlotte Prochnow


Grade 3


1957


B.S., M.Ed., State College at Bridgewater;


Springfield College


Adele Kochanek


Grade 3


1962


B.S., Springfield College


Sharon Kelly


Grade 3


1962


B.S., Springfield College


Marion L. Holland


Grade 2


1922


Springfield Teachers College


Valerie Lundberg


Grade 2


1961


B.S., Springfield College


Judith L. Backus


Grade 2


1962


B.S., State College at Westfield


Madeleine Martin


Grade 2


1962


B.S., State College at Westfield


B.A., M.Ed., Lafayette; State College at Fitchburg Burdett College


B.A., M.A., American International Col.


B.S., State College at Worcester


B.S., Boston University


20


21


Madeline Harrington


Grade 1


1952


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


Joanne S. Ewig


Grade 1


1955


B.S., Skidmore College


Stella Mondoux


Grade 1


1958


B.S., State College at Westfield


Mildred Lockwood


Grade 1


1959


B.S., State College at Westfield


Henry Hyde


Custodian


1954


Thomas W. Farnham


Custodian


1958


Ella Lindsay


Cook


1957


Isabella Rollins


Cook


1953


Yvette Damoulakis


Cook


1961


Helen Los


Cook


1962


The Pines School:


Helen S. Strauss


Principal


1930


Patricia Frydryk


Secretary


1961


Ruth C. Hood


Grade 5


1959


Charles Lockwood


Grade 5


1962


Marjorie Befford


Grade 4


1958


State Teachers College at Fitchburg


Evelyn Salisbury


Grade 4


1961


Virginia M. Popp


Grade 4


1962


B.S., State College at Westfield


Emma B. Habin


Grade 3


1960


B.S., State College at Westfield


Judith Murphy


Grade 3


1962


B.S., Russell Sage, New York


Paula Coonan


Grade 3


1962


B.S., State College at Westfield


Rosemary Birtwell


Grade 2


1961


B.A., State College at Westfield


Jean Podgorski


Grade 2


1962


B.S., American International College


Nancy Rico


Grade 2


1962


Clara B. Merrill


Grade 2


1944


Farmington State College


Mary Johnston


Grade 1


1950


State College at Westfield


Ruth Geigel


Grade 1


1961


Catherine Alaimo


Grade 1


1961


Michael Pyzocha


Custodian


1954


Mitchell Misiaszek


Custodian


1961


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


B.S., Teachers College, Danbury, Conn.


B.S., State College at Westfield


B.A., University of New Hampshire


B.S., State College at Westfield


B.S., Rutgers University


B.A., Our Lady of the Elms College


PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE WILBRAHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Continued)


Name


Position


Year Appointed


Education and Professional Training


Emily Bready


Cook


1960


Julia Dougal


Cook


1952


Jean Lajzer


Cook


1960


Evelyn Dabrowski


Cook


1962


Memorial School:


Richard J. Curry


Principal


1954


Richard S. Ullery, Jr.


Guidance


1958


Florence LeVan


Secretary


1956


Marion Castaldini


Secretary


1956


Muriel Boyce


Junior High


1960


A. Louise Bradley


Junior High


1952


Charles T. Coolong


Junior High


1958


Audrey Dabagian


Junior High


1961


Marion Didrikson


Junior High


1959


Robert P. Garvey


Junior High


1955


B.A., M.A., St. Anselm's; American International College


Rosemarie Gill


Junior High


1960


B.S., Salem Teachers College


Ruth W. Herter


Junior High


1959


B.A.E., Rhode Island School of Design


Kenneth H. Hultstrom


Junior High


1961


Ruth S. Johnson


Junior High


1961


Paul E. Pesce


Junior High


1960


B.S., State College at Salem


James Rafferty


Junior High


1957


B.B.A., University of Massachusetts


Julia Rosenbeck


Junior High


1954


B.A., Springfield College


Cleone Smith


Junior High


1959


A.B., Middlebury College


Irene Walinski


Junior High


1957


B.A., M.A., American International Col. B.A., M.Ed., American International Col.


B.A., M.Ed., State College at Framingham; Boston University


B.A., M.A., American International Col.


B.S., State College at Fitchburg


B.S., Douglas College


B.B.A., American International College


B.S., State College at Fitchburg B.A., Oberlin College


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


22


23


Joseph Zych, Jr.


Junior High


1958


B.S., Springfield College


Thomas Lennon


Grade 6


1958


Doris Kline


Grade 6


1960


Frank Marshall


Grade 6


1958


William Kozlowski


Grade 6


1957


B.S., M.Ed., State College at Westfield


Gordon S. Bates


Grade 6,


1958


Elisabeth Barnes


Grade 6


1962


John Polaczak


Head Custodian


1949


John Wnuk


Custodian


1959


John Nordin


Custodian


1962


Emma Chamberlin


Cook


1956


Charlotte Babineau


Cook


1960


Eva Cloutier


Cook


1958


Marjorie Goewey


Cook


1960


Supervisors and


Special Subject Teachers:


Ruth G. Backus


Elementary Supervisor


1953


State College at Framingham


Bruce C. Kurtz


Physical Education


1962


B.S., Springfield College


Millicent G. Green


Handwriting


1938


State College at North Adams


Marguerite G. Brady


Librarian


1942


Perry Normal


Esther Johnson


Music


1949


State College at Westfield


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


May Jenkins


Manager, Hot Lunch


1950


Health:


Janet M. Horacek


Nurse


1954


R.N., Springfield Hospital


Arthur Goodwin


Doctor


1947


M.D., Tufts


George H. Nieske


Dentist


1959


D.M.D., University of Maryland


B.S., American International College B.S., M.Ed., Simmons College B.S., Springfield College


B.S., M.Ed., Springfield College B.A., University of Mass.


B.S., M.S., Fitchburg; Springfield College


PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE WILBRAHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Continued)


Year Appointed


Name


Transportation:


George W. Motyka


1932


Florence Butler


1962


Homer Goodrich


1962


Paul Douillard


1962


Changes in school personnel not shown in the preceding chart are:


Mary E. Moody, teacher, leave of absence, resigned, September 12, 1962


James E. Tremble, teacher, Military leave of absence, effective September 1, 1962


Sara A. Skalla, teacher, resigned, April 24, 1962 Anne T. Paulhus, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1962 Sally A. Misuraca, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1962 Annamae Martin, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1962 Ruth Lesser, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1962 Richard MacGillivray, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1962 John Ault, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1962 Sharon C. Kelly, teacher, resigned, December 21, 1962 Mildred Cotter, cook, resigned, June 30, 1962


24


Report of the 1962 School Building Committee


At the special town meeting held September 10, 1962, the selectmen were authorized to appoint a School Building Com- mittee with power and authority to enter into a contract for preparation of preliminary and final plans and specifications and to secure bids for a 12-room elementary school on the Heiden parcel of land on Main Street, in addition to any and all other normal powers and duties of a School Building Committee, and to fill any vacancies that may occur in said Committee.


The creation of a School Building Committee with authority to employ an architect and secure bids for an elementary school was recommended to the special town meeting by the 1962 School Survey Committee.


The Survey Committee, named by the selectmen on January 5, 1962, had completed its assigned duties by :


A. Studying facilities and enrollment and determining a need B. Securing approval from the Massachusetts School Build- ing Assistance Commission of its needs, surveys and plans


C. Recommending the location of the proposed school and securing the purchase of the Heiden site on South Main Street at the June 18, 1962 Special Town Meeting.


D. Recommending the appointment of a School Building Committee.


At the September 10, 1962 Special Town Meeting, the Build- ing Committee was directed to investigate thoroughly the cost differential between a one- and a two-story school building and to present a report to the citizens of the community at a public hearing before final bids on the new building were secured.


On November 19, 1962, the 1962 School Building Committee presented to a public hearing at Memorial School, detailed plans of a twelve classroom school to be located on the Heiden site on South Main Street.


Two complete sets of plans and detailed cost figures covering a one-story and a two-story building were shown.


The interesting fact developed was that although it would cost less per square foot to build a two-story building than a one-story building, the additional square feet required by law in a two- story building, stair wells, wider corridors, and duplicate facili- ties, did result in a higher total cost for the same 12 classrooms


25


and auxiliary facilities when packaged as a two-story school plant. See following table of costs:


COMPARISON OF ESTIMATED COSTS


1 Story


2 Story


Construction


$434,663.00


$470,113.00


Site


90,680.00


90,680.00


Architect-Engineer Fees


39,400.00


42,000.00


Equipment


35,000.00


36,000.00


Contingencies


25,000.00


25,000.00


Land


18,700.00


18,700.00


Total


$643,443.00


$682,493.00


Previously Appropriated :


Planning


$23,000.00


Land


18,700.00


41,700.00


41,700.00


$601,743.00


$640,793.00


Following a lengthy question and answer period, the hearing, by a nearly unanimous indication of approval, supported the Building Committee decision to secure final bids on a one-story elementary school.


The Building Committee is completing final arrangements to secure approval of the plans by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission. Final plans and specifications have been approved by the Build- ing Committee, and construction bids will be received, studied and tabulated for presentation to the voters at the 1963 annual Town Meeting. At the annual meeting, the voters will be asked to provide the funds necessary to construct and equip this school. Based on favorable action by the voters, construction will start early in April of 1963, and the building will be ready for pupil occupancy in September of 1964.


DORRANCE T. GREEN, Chairman


ANDREW G. DUZSIK


FRED T. GOOGINS EDWIN M. OSGOOD


MRS. ETHEL M. MUSSELMAN


FREDERICK B. SEEL


MRS. DORIS C. BOWMAN


LARRY D. LEWIS


Pines School Addition Building Committee Report


With the open house and public inspection of the Pines School Addition on July 31, 1962, this project was accepted as sub- stantially completed.


26


The school committee was authorized to move in equipment and prepare the building for pupil use in September. The Build- ing Committee is satisfied with the plans and specifications as prepared by Alderman & MacNeish, Architect and Engineer, and with the high quality of construction performed by C. J. Driscoll Co., General Contractor.


As reported in the 1961 annual report, this committee will complete the construction and equipping of the Pines School Addition within the appropriated amount. A final accounting will be completed when retained payments for fulfillment of guarantees have been paid and final certification to the state is completed.


During the late summer, Mr. Michael F. X. Gigliotti, Com- mittee Chairman, and Mr. Robert P. Whittier, committee mem- ber, resigned from the committee when they were relocated outside the state, and because of business reasons. Their excel- lent background training and experience in the areas of construc- tion and financing were major factors in the planning, develop- ment, and completion of this school building project.


The Building Committee expresses the appreciation of the citizens and youth of this community for the contribution these men have made.


IRVING H. AGARD, Secretary ALLAN A. CAMPBELL


DORRANCE T. GREEN


FRED T. GOOGINS


MRS. BYRON I. MUSSELMAN


ANGELO C. PESSOLANO


Report of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District Committee


The 1961 report of the District Committee contained statistics on the first graduating class from Minnechaug High School. At that time, strong emphasis was placed on the fact that the figures shown represented a single graduating class, and therefore could not be considered an accurate measure of the success of this high school.


A year later, with a second class graduated, it is again neces- sary to repeat that the figures available are not large enough to predict a trend accurately. Only after the number of Minnechaug graduates exceeds one thousand, and a substantial number of graduates complete post secondary educational efforts and be- come established in gainful employment, can a reliable assessment


27


of the school's program be made. Members of the 1962 graduat- ing class are now engaged as follows:


4 year colleges


44


2 year colleges 11


3 year nursing schools 4


Practical nursing


1


Technical and vocational schools


11


Employed


19


Military service


7


Married


2


Status unknown


5


104


Combining the first and second graduating classes, the follow- ing totals develop:


4 year colleges


92


2 year colleges


25


3 year nursing schools


9


Practical nursing


4


Technical and vocational schools


17


Employed


35


Military service


13


Married


4


Status unknown


8


Total graduates from two classes


207


In summary, 44% of the graduates of the two classes are in four year degree granting colleges; over 60% are in four year colleges, two year colleges, and schools of nursing; approximately 17% are gainfully employed. As reported last year, these per- centages are substantially higher in the first three categories than are the Massachusetts or national averages. These results are both reasonable and expected, based on the socio economic level of the citizens of this district.


Minnechaug, a comprehensive public high school, is charged by law and by the vote of the citizens with providing an educa- tional opportunity for all the youth of the district. The curricu- lum is tailored to meet the needs and stimulate the abilities of the individual. Each student, whether endowed with the mentality and possessing the initiative successfully to master advanced degree areas of specialization, or one who terminates formal education at or shortly after graduation from high school, must find at Minnechaug the education he needs to develop into a pro-


28


ductive and useful citizen. For those pupils, earlier identified as having the interests and aptitudes to complete successfully a spe- cialized vocational program, Springfield Trade High School pro- vides an excellent opportunity. This school, drawing students from throughout the western area of Massachusetts, is able to provide economically the specialized instructors and equipment required to develop saleable vocational skills.


A careful study of the cumulative records of the graduating students, a continued evaluation of the academic aptitudes of the students of the district, and a constant appraisal of employment opportunities and labor market requirements of today and the future - all these are necessary to guide the evolutionary changes of the school curriculum intelligently.


Not all of the pupils attending Minnechaug High School can, or should plan to, attend a four year degree granting college or university. Few, if any, of the pupils should terminate their formal education with a high school diploma. There are ample opportunities for additional training and development of spe- cialized skills in the many two year colleges, technical schools, and specialized institutions. We need a realistic appraisal of the ability, attitude, and aptitude of each student by the school, the parents, and the individual himself, to arrive at the appropriate post-high school placement for each pupil.


The long term success of Minnechaug High School will be determined by the quality of the teaching staff. It has been the policy of this committee, since 1958 when the first staff selections were made, to recruit outstanding personnel, require above aver- age performance from each individual, and retain in the employ of the district only those persons who are able and willing to provide the necessary intellectual stimulation, pupil motivation, and disciplinary control that is required to insure maximum growth and achievement. Such teachers are difficult to recruit and retain.


Combined with the determination to provide a sound educa- tional program and employ competent staff members is the prac- tical realization that a competitive salary schedule must be main- tained if we are to have an above average educational program. The Massachusetts legislature has established the minimum salary for teachers as $4,500, effective January 1, 1963.


In 1962, a starting salary of $4,500 - $500 above the state minimum - gave this district a competitive advantage and se-


29


cured the services of above average teachers. To retain its com- petitive position in employing staff members, the committee has increased the salary schedule by $200, effective September 1, 1963. This decision was reached after four months of intensive study and is, your committee believes, a realistic and necessary step to insure the continuation of the present level of education.


Textbooks, supplies, and instructional materials have been and will be provided in reasonable amounts for efficient employment of teacher capabilities and pupil needs. With approximately 70% of the total per pupil cost of education expended for salaries, supplies must be available if the district is to receive a fair return on its investment in teaching salaries.


As pointed out in detail in the 1961 committee report, the enrollment at Minnechaug is approaching the planned capacity of the physical plant. In 1956, when the Regional District Plan- ning Committee proposed the organization of this Regional School District and secured approval from the voters for the construction of Minnechaug High School, pre-school census re- ports, enrollment figures, and the rapid growth of this area as a desirable residential community forecast the need for additional space by 1965. Annual review and correction of the enrollment forecast has proven the validity of the earlier projections.


Utilizing all present facilities at Minnechaug High School, we have a capacity of approximately 675 pupils. The actual capacity of a comprehensive high school is, to a substantial degree, deter- mined by the course of studies provided for the pupils. At Min- nechaug, where advanced classes are scheduled in foreign lan- guages, business education, and practical arts, where honors courses are provided in mathematics, English, chemistry, history, and biology, and where pupils are individually tested, counselled, and scheduled, we have a lesser degree of efficiency in utilization of facilities than is possible where a limited track program is offered.


If additional classroom facilities are not available in 1965, the committee will be faced with the difficult decision of either nar- rowing the academic program by eliminating the advanced and honors courses, or adjusting the school day and the schedule of pupil attendance to accommodate all the pupils in the available facilities.


Believing that the correct and desirable method of relieving the


30


imminent over crowded condition in this high school is to add classrooms, your committee, over the past twelve months, has concentrated a substantial amount of its efforts on developing a practical and economical solution to the problem.


The enrollment projections, utilization of present facilities, and educational program have been studied by this committee. Joint meetings have been held with the Hampden School Survey Committee and the Wilbraham School Survey Committee, to assure a united approach in solving the needs for classroom facili- ties of the district. Six meetings were held by members of this committee with the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission in Boston, where all surveys and studies of this com- mittee were reviewed and approved. This commission serves the communities and school districts of the state in the area of school house construction by reviewing such basic factors as: enrollment, need, location, educational adequacy, preliminary plans, final plans, and financing. An addition to Minnechaug High School, as approved by this commission, would qualify for a state grant of sixty five percent of the total cost of construction and equipment.


The Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission has accepted the school committee's decision that there is a need for twenty two additional classrooms or teaching stations by September 1, 1965. These additional classrooms, with minor modifications in the present building, would provide a pupil capacity of approximately 1,100 pupils and an opportunity to maintain the present course of study and level of educational opportunity until after 1970.


The District Committee has employed the architectural and engineering firm of Alderman & MacNeish to conduct studies and prepare preliminary plans of the proposed addition. Begin- ning in the early spring of 1962, the committee has met on a regular basis to review preliminary plans and study the feasibility of possible designs. In November, following a detailed cost study of comparable single and two story plans, the committee directed the architect to concentrate on the more economical single story design. The forward timetable anticipates that approved pre- liminary plans will be completed for presentation to the voters of the district in the late spring of 1963. At that time, funds will be sought to enable the architect to complete final plans and


31


specifications, secure firm bids for the construction of the addi- tion, and develop a final construction budget to present to the voters. With eighteen months being required to construct and equip this addition, approval of the project is needed by March of 1964 if the facility is to be ready for September, 1965.


Despite the apparent emphasis on budgetary and new facilities problems in this report, the major responsibility of this committee continues to be one of developing sound educational policies. As a policy making board, the District Committee determines the quality of education and the operational efficiency desired, and then assigns to its selected administrative personnel, the transla- tion of policy into results.


The committee is pleased with the professional growth and stability of its staff; 33% of the faculty possess an earned Mas- ter's degree, and 25% are presently engaged in additional degree' granting programs. In the three and one half years this school has been in operation, there has been a gratifying development of school tradition and a pride in academic achievement. Notable also are the increasing school spirit among the students and the loyalty of the staff to the organization.


In earlier annual reports, this committee has refrained from specifically commending any one individual in the organization, because essentially, the gains here are the result of a total team effort. This year, however, the committee wishes to commend Principal Lincoln A. Dexter for his educational leadership of this school. His educational alertness, intellectual interests, willing- ness to learn from others and benefit by his own mistakes, atten- tion to organizational and operational details, and especially his patient and kindly interest in the problems of staff and students alike together with his sincere belief in the ultimate realization of each individual as a worthwhile member of society, are quali- ties of leadership that this committee recognizes as all important for the continuation of a sound educational program.


Your committee solicits the support, suggestions, and com- ments of the citizens of the district and thanks you for the oppor- tunity to serve you.


JOHN R. LYMAN, Chairman DORIS I. BOWMAN HARRY DABAGIAN DONALD E. DICKINSON


DUDLEY N. HARTT, JR.


CHESTER L. THORNDIKE, JR. JULIA WINETROUT


32


HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 1962


Planning and Construction Budget


Balance January 1, 1962


Expenditures


$21,746.59 4,042.56


Balance December 31, 1962


$17,704.03


Capital Cost Budget


1962 Assessments to Towns


$110,546.09


1962 State Construction Grant


58,617.91


Total Available


$169,164.00


1962 Expenditures


164,669.45


To Surplus Revenue


$4,494.55


Operating Budget


1962 Assessments to Towns


$354,515.40


1962 Offsetting Credits


83,648.60


$438,164.00


1962 Expenditures


408,496.09


To Surplus Revenue


$29,667.91


Surplus Revenue Account


Balance January 1, 1962


$39,175.46


Receipts, 1962


76,369.19


To 1963 Operating Budget, Credits


74,302.77


Balance January 1, 1963


$41,241.88


ASSESSMENT OF 1963 REVENUE


Capital Costs


Debt Service - Capital Cost


$155,780.00 64,541.11


Capital Balance to Assess Towns


$91,238.89


Hampden 22.5% - $20,528.75; Wilbraham 77.5% - $70,710.14


Operating Budget


Total Budget less Capital Costs


1962 Receipts, 1963 Credits


$490,027.00


74,302.77


Operating Balance to Assess Towns


$415,724.23


Pupils:


Hampden 132


Wilbraham 485


Total 617 Total 100


Percentage:


Hampden 21.39


Assessment:


Hampden $88,923.41




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.