Wilbraham annual report 1961-1965, Part 3

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


USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1961-1965 > Part 3


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Since this is a new high school and until June, 1961, did not have a graduating class, a statistical study in evaluating our prod- uct lacks vitally needed supporting data. Only when we have graduated upward of one thousand pupils will we have sufficient records and depth of information to predict accurately a success pattern for our students. We can, however report on the place- ment of the class of 1961, and compare these figures with the results of state and national studies. Because the term "college" is used loosely - in one instance to include almost any education beyond high school, and in another to identify four year degree- granting institutions - it is difficult to make intelligent compari- sons. If we consider our four year colleges, two year colleges, and three year nursing students together, we have 70% of our graduates in college; the Massachusetts average is approximately 40%. Using the four year degree granting definition for a college placement, Minnechaug had 48%, as compared with a state aver- age of 25%. The detailed placement of the 1961 Minnechaug High School graduating class follows:


Pupils


Percent


Attending 4 yr. colleges


49


48%


Attending 2 yr. or junior colleges


16


16%


Attending 3 yr. nursing schools


6


5%


Attending practical nursing schools


2


2%


Other schools


4


4%


Armed services


8


7%


Employed


16


15%


Left school


2


2%


Did not graduate


1


1%


Despite the almost emotional national concern being given to college placement of pupils, it is important to note that sixteen members of the class of 1961 were successfully placed in gainful


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employment directly from high school. A comprehensive high school must provide a basic education for all the students enrolled, and this we are doing.


The Business Education Department, because its product is immediately tested and evaluated in the competitive situation of business employment, has contributed substantially to the repu- tation of Minnechaug as a sound academic high school where good work habits and excellent standards of performance are developed and emphasized. The school committee is proud of these pupils and of the faculty that prepared them.


In summary, it again must be stressed that this is the record of a single graduating class and thus cannot be considered a reasonable prediction of the potential of this school or the stu- dent body. Continuous and determined attention to their studies by the students, recruiting and holding of qualified teachers by the administration and school committee, and total support of the school and its educational program by the citizens is necessary if this school is to meet the needs of the pupils and fulfill the potential indicated for its success and usefulness.


In addition to evaluating our high school program through a study of the record of the graduates, we need to examine the cost of the educational program being offered. In 1956, when the Regional School District and proposed four year high school were being planned, estimated operating costs were developed and a report mailed to the voters of the district. These costs, based on actual 1956 operating budget figures, indicated that a regional high school would be a sound long term financial invest- ment for the citizens of Hampden and Wilbraham. Today, five years later, after two and one half years of operating experience, these earlier estimates are accurate. The District Planning Com- mittee, in presenting the Regional School District and four year high school to the voters of the district, based its recommendation on the following:


A. The School Department of Springfield had notified Wil- braham and Hampden that soon it would not be able to accept tuition pupils.


B. The growing school population in the two towns made additional classroom construction necessary and inevitable.


C. A high school in this proposed district could and would provide a satisfactory education for the pupils.


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D. The citizens of the two communities had demonstrated a willingness and an ability to provide an above average educational opportunity for their children.


E. The record of efficient and prudent management of schools in these two communities made it reasonable to predict that the operating cost of the proposed high school would, over the twenty year period of the construction indebtedness, be such that the total cost of owning and operating a high school would be no greater than sending the pupils to a neighboring school system on a tuition basis.


The assumptions, estimates, and projections of the Planning Committee have now proven to be accurate:


A. Springfield no longer accepts tuition pupils except in the state supported Vocational Trade High School.


B. Even though the two towns have added a substantial num- ber of new classrooms to the local school system, and despite the fact that ninth grade students are now the responsibility of the Regional District instead of the local school systems, there is still a long term need for added classroom space in both communities.


C. The report of the class of 1961 indicates that Minnechaug High School can provide the desired educational opportunity for our pupils.


D. The support of the public schools by the citizens of these communities is a matter of record.


E. The operating estimates, when viewed in the manner in which they were sincerely and honestly presented, a projection of 1956 costs over a twenty year period, reflect the skill and busi- ness training of the planning committee. Translating 1956 dol- lar values into today's cost figures, the expense of education in the Regional District today continues to demonstrate a reason- able long term advantage in owning and operating a high school as compared with paying tuition.


Since 1956, when the teachers' starting salary in this area was $3,400, we have seen established a state minimum salary of $4,000 and the necessity of competing with area communities by establish- ing a $4,300 minimum in 1961 and an increase to $4,500 for 1962. In salaries alone (and salaries constitutes more than 75% of the operating budget), we have had a 32% inflationary increase. Textbooks, supplies, fuel, and maintenance items have increased in cost, less sharply than salaries, but enough to raise substan-


32


tially the per pupil costs developed in 1956.


On the same basis that all goods and services have increased in price over the past years, so also has the cost of education. It is more expensive at all grade levels in every community to educate pupils than it was in 1956. This school committee believes that, over the twenty year period of our capital investment, Minne- chaug High School will continue to demonstrate an efficiency of business management and an excellence of educational product that will justify the recommendation and predictions of the plan- ning committee and the nearly unanimous support of the citizens when they voted to form this district. This Regional School District was the most economical and practical answer to our high school problem as it developed in 1956, and the present operating experience continues to support the decision.


The previous paragraphs, indicating placement of the first graduating class, and reviewing earlier operating cost estimates, are not intended to imply a complacent satisfaction with the school and its program. There is a continuous review of the policies and programs of study, and a critical analysis of pupil participation and possible benefit.


In the spring of 1961, the school committee postponed for one year the offering of first year German when the pupil enrollment for this subject failed to reach a justifiable number. In advanced Latin, classes in Virgil and Cicero are offered on alternating years, providing a four year Latin program at a reasonable cost.


In the spring term of 1961, the Minnechaug staff completed a detailed self-evaluation of the school and the instructional pro- gram. In November, sixteen representatives of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools under the leader- ship of Mr. Harold S. Fenner, conducted a three day study and evaluation of this high school. The school committee has been officially notified that on the basis of the staff, program, and facili- ties found here, Minnechaug has become a fully accredited high school. Accreditation is synonymous with professional recogni- tion and acceptance.


Three activities of the district, non academic in nature but necessary for the successful operation of the school and its use by the citizens, deserve mention in this annual report.


Despite limited student participation in the first years of opera- tion, the Hot Lunch Program has been operating without tax- supported funds, except for an original investment in equipment


33


and basic supplies.


The behind the wheel training in the Driver Education Pro- gram, through the kind cooperation of a local automobile dealer in furnishing the vehicle, and the pupils paying for their lessons, is conducted without cost to the district.


The adult evening education and recreation programs and the community use of the swimming pool for evening, Saturday, and the summer activities are on a self-supporting basis, with admission fees paying the operating costs of the program.


The Regional District has provided facilities for several school programs of state wide interest. The State Gymnastic Meet, the Western Massachusetts Music Association Fall Concert, and the fall meeting of the Massachusetts School Librarians have all been held at Minnechaug High School. Providing our exceptional facilities for these programs has permitted pupils and citizens to attend and participate in unusually interesting events.


Individually, Minnechaug pupils have earned honors and recognition that reflect credit on themselves, their parents, the district, and the school. For the second time in two years, the Science Fair project of Robert Kendrew was awarded first prize in the state competition. In the fall of this year, Frederick Webb received recognition as Minnechaug's first semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Test.


In June of this year, the Town of Granby, with its new high school nearing completion, terminated the tuition contract with this district. For the school year 1960-1961, approximately eighty Granby freshmen attended Minnechaug High School. This tem- porary arrangement, assisting Granby in the education of its pupils when school facilities were not available, and increasing the operational efficiency of our new school in the beginning years when local enrollment did not fully utilize all the facilities, resulted in a good education for the Granby pupils and a siz- able reduction in the net cost of operation for this district. Tui- tion payments in excess of $40,000 have, over two budget years, been applied to reduce the district's annual assessments to the towns.


After six months of careful study, the district committee has contacted the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Com- mission in Boston to consider a building expansion program. The following enrollment figures, based on pupils now enrolled in the schools in the district, indicate the need for immediate


34


consideration. The capacity of the present building is 675 pupils: Granby tuition pupils are omitted from these figures:


Grades


Year


9


10


11


12


Total


1960


134


135


110


108


487


1961


195


131


128


106


560


1962


179


195


131


128


633


1963


194


179


195


131


699


1964


182


194


179


195


750


1965


204


182


194


179


759


1966


234


204


182


194


814


1967


244


234


204


182


864


1968


242


244


234


204


924


It is indicated by these enrollment figures that the capacity of the building will be exceeded in 1964 and that for September, 1965, an addition is needed. Scheduling three years for plan- ning purposes, necessary town meetings to authorize action, and the actual construction of the facility requires that action be taken at this time to insure adequate facilities when needed.


In order to continue successfully to recruit and hold desirable staff members, the district committee has voted to establish the starting teachers' salary at $4,500 effective September 1, 1962. This starting salary, with the accompanying adjustment of the teachers' salary schedule, continues the district in a desirable competitive position with area communities, with neither the


Some of the members of the Minnechaug Regional High School Gym Team which won the 1961 Massachusetts State Championship.


Photo by H. Bogue


highest nor the lowest salary schedule. The committee has con- tinued the existing policy of not providing non-educationally connected fringe benefits such as dependency payments and vari- ous types of insurance coverage. The policy of maintaining com- petitive salaries and providing adequate supplies and facilities has enabled the district to employ a qualified and highly com- petent staff.


The school committee is again recorded as being highly pleased with the job performance and professional growth of the Hamp- den-Wilbraham Regional School District personnel. Excellent progress is being made and we have every expectation of con- tinued good work.


We solicit the suggestions and comments of the citizens of the district and thank you for your assistance and support.


MR. JOHN R. LYMAN, Chairman


MR. CHESTER L. THORNDIKE, JR.


MR. DONALD E. DICKINSON


MRS. CHARLES I. BOWMAN


MRS. KENNETH WINETROUT


MR. DUDLEY N. HARTT, JR.


MR. ALEXANDER W. MARCO


HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 1961


Planning and Construction Budget


Balance January 1, 1961


$21,746.59


Expenditures


4,042.56


Balance December 31, 1961


$17,704.03


Capital Cost Budget


1961 Assessments to Towns


$100,381.09


1961 State Construction Grant


67,271.91


Total Available


$167,653.00


1961 Expenditures


167,612.23


To Surplus Revenue


$40.77


Operating Budget


1961 Assessments to Town


$343,918.59


1961 Offsetting Credits


56,351.41


1961 Expenditures


365,862.50


To Surplus Revenue


$34,407.50


Surplus Revenue Account Balance January 1, 1961 Receipts, 1961


$20,187.79


102,636.27


To 1962 Operating Budget, Credits


83,648.60


Balance January 1, 1962


$39,175.46


$400,270.00


$122,824.06


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ASSESSMENT OF 1962 REVENUE


Capital Costs Debt Service


$160,114.00 9,050.00


Total Capital Costs


1962 Credits, Construction Grant


$169,164.00 58,617.91


Capital Balance to Assess Towns


$110,546.09


Hampden 22.5% - $24,872.87; Wilbraham 77.5% - $85,673.22


Operating Budget


Total Budget less Capital Costs 1961 Receipts, 1962 Credits


$438,164.00


83,648.60


Operating Balance to Assess Towns


$354,515.40


Pupils: Hampden 125


Wilbraham 443


Total 558


Percentage: Hampden 22.4


Wilbraham 77.6


Total 100


Assessment: Hampden $79,411.45


Wilbraham $275,103.95 $354,515.40


TOTAL ASSESSMENTS TO HAMPDEN AND WILBRAHAM


Capital


Operating


Total


14 Payment


Hampden


$24,872.87


$79,411.45


$104,284.32


$26,071.08


Wilbraham 85,673.22


275,103.95


360,777.17


90,194.30


Assessments payable in four equal installments not later than the first day of April, June, September and December.


PUPIL ENROLLMENT BY GRADE


October 1, 1961


Grade


Ilampden


Monson


Wilbraham


Total


9


39


157


196


10


27


102


129


11


31


1


96


128


12


28


78


107


125


1


433


559


1962 FINAL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING BUDGET


No.


Account


1962 Budget


1


General Control


$15,350.00


2 Expense of Instruction


290,288.00


3 Operation of Plant


51,977.00


4


Maintenance of Plant


9,582.00


5


Auxiliary Agencies


14,142.00


6 Outlay


9,050.00


7 Debt Service


160,114.00


8


Transportation


34,628.00


9


Special Charges


19,197.00


10 Temporary Borrowing


3,000.00


Total


$607,328.00


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Outlay


PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT


Name


Position


Year Appointed Education and Professional Training


District Office :


Joann LedDuke


District Treasurer


1961


Irving H. Agard


Superintendent


1956


Kenneth E. Johnson


Assistant Superintendent


1957


Eva M. Ellis


Executive Secretary


1959


Joann LedDuke


Secretary


1959


Anna B. Tupper


Secretary


1958


High School Office :


Lincoln A. Dexter


Principal


1961


B.S., M.Ed., Rhode Island State; State College at Worcester


Richard I. Trenholm


Assistant Principal


and Social Studies


1960


Charles B. Thompson


Guidance Director


1958


Peter Gartner


Guidance Counsellor


1959


Marjorie Bean


Secretary


1960


Silvia Peterson


Secretary


1961


Teachers :


Rosemary Athearn


Social Studies


1960


B.A., Colby College


Marilyn M. Ats


Languages


1961


B.A., University of Oklahoma


Donald Bamford


Mathematics


1959


B.S., University of Massachusetts


Barbara Broadbent


Physical Education


1959


B.S., Springfield College


Richard A. Brown


Sciences


1959


B.A., Bowdoin College


Christine G. Clark


Business Education


1959


Ac.S., B.S., Bay Path;


American International College


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


B.A., M.A., Bates College; Boston Univ. B.S., M.Ed., Springfield College; University of New Hampshire A.B., Bates College


38


39


Patricia Cox


Speech Therapist 1960


Judith A. Cross


Home Economics


1961


Leonard DeMaio


Music


1960


James De Wolf


Industrial Arts


1959


Katherine Goulding


Home Economics


1961


Carol Swanson Hooper


Social Studies and English


1960


Dwight D. Killam


Music


1959


B.Mus., M.Music, Syracuse; Boston Univ.


William Michael Kober


Physical Education


1960


B.S., Springfield College


Edgar Law


Mathematics


1960


Vivian Little


English


1959


Hartford Seminary Foundation


Alvin J. McNeill


Physical Education


1961


B.S., M.S., Springfield 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., M.Ed., Mt. Holyoke College; Springfield College


George H. Robinson, Jr.


Mathematics


1959


Laura Saunders


Librarian


1959


Daphne E. Scourtis


Languages


1960


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., State College at Lowell


Karl D. Sternberg


Mathematics and Science


1960


B.A., American International College


Jean M. Stuart


Business Education


1961


B.A., American International College


Joseph B. Van West


Art


1959


Helen Walinski


Mathematics


1959


B.S., Tufts; Dip., Sch. of M.S.A. A.B., M.Ed., Our Lady of the Elms; Springfield College


B.A., M.Ed., Northwestern University; Boston University


B.A., Keene Teachers College B.Mus., University of Hartford


B.S., State College at Fitchburg


B.S., State College at Framingham


A.B., Bates College


B.A., Trinity College, Hartford A.B., M.A., Mount Holyoke;


B.S., M.Ed., University of Mass .; Springfield College B.S., Simmons College


A.B., Bates College


PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (Continued)


Name


Position


Year Appointed


Education and Professional Training


Constance Willey


English


1961


Doris V. Williams


Art


1961


Wallace Winchell


English


1960


B.A., American International College B.S., M.A., Columbia; Springfield College B.A., M.A., New Jersey State Teachers College; Wayne University


W. Fred H. Wincy


Biology


1960


B.A., M.A., Washington and Jefferson; University of Massachusetts


Health :


Arthur H. Goodwin


Doctor


1959


M.D., Tufts


Madelene Newsome


Nurse


1959


R.N., Springfield Hospital


Hot Lunch Program :


May Jenkins


Manager


1959


Nancy Clark


Cook


1961


Leona A. Isham


Cook


1959


Arlene V. Ross


Cook


1959


Ruth G. Scheibler


Cook


1959


Lucille Schieding


Cook


1959


Gladys Steup


Cook


1961


Custodians :


Everett Pickens


Head Custodian


1959


Walter Polanczak


1959


Harold Rogers


1959


Stanley Strycharz


1959


Leon Superneau


1959


40


Transportation : Stuart F. Hill


George W. Motyka


Hampden 1959


Wilbraham 1959


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


Mrs. Grace Kibbe, Treasurer, retired, April 1, 1961 Arthur W. Reynolds, Principal, resigned, August 30, 1961 Virginia White, secretary, resigned, July 1, 1961 Rosetta Angelica, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1961 Rosalie P. Curtis, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1961 Emerson Dunton, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1961 Patricia Madson, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1961 Lois R. Megliola, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1961 Rose Riskalla, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1961 Louise D. Schatz, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1961 Eileen L. Deane, cook, resigned, June 24, 1961


41


Aid to Agriculture


According to Section 45, Chapter 128 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, any town may appropriate money to be expended by the Trustees for carrying out the provisions of the law under which they are appointed.


The Trustees are appreciative of the support given their agents by local citizens who, without compensation, ably assisted in extending the various programs in farm practices, home problems and management, also the work with youth groups through 4 H Club activities.


The following leaders incurred expenses, either for travel or for the purchase of material needed for the various projects under their direction: Mrs. Raymond Beach, Mrs. Clifford Bradway, Mrs. Donald E. Collins, Mrs. Clifford DuBray, Mrs. Walter J. Freeley, Mrs. John Fynan, Mr. and Mrs. Herman G. Grand- champ, Mrs. David Greenaway, Mrs. James Gurecki, Cynthia Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest La Vasseir, Mrs. George Lemieux, Mrs. Sidney Low, Mrs. Edward J. Luff, Alison Murray, Mrs. Clifford Patric, Mrs. Norman Philibotte, Mrs. Jesse Rice, Mrs.


Minnechaug Regional High School was the scene for a public viewing of the lunar eclipse on August 25, 1961 - members of the Springfield Stars Club were hosts.


Photo by H. Bogue


Denny G. Richter, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Lucien Riendeau, Mrs. Charles J. Smith, Jr., Christine Welch, Mrs. E. H. Wessells, Mrs. Roger Whitehill and Mrs. Irene C. Wright.


The agent's counsel and assistance has been available to all citizens of the County without charge.


Any Appropriation made by the Town to the Trustees is held by the County Treasurer and used exclusively for reimburs- ing any local resident of the Town for necessary expenditures in carrying out projects provided by the law under which the Trustees are appointed.


FINANCIAL SUMMARY


1961 Appropriation


$150.00


1960 Unexpended Balance


42.30


Total Available for 1961


$192.30


Total Expenditures in 1961


117.82


1962 Balance Available


$74.48


1962 Recommended Appropriation


$100.00


ALBERT H. FULLER, Clerk


Animal Inspector


A total of 255 animals were inspected: 149 dairy cattle, 16 beef cattle, 25 horses, 12 goats, 49 sheep, and 4 swine. All ani- mals were found to be clean and free of disease.


DAVID E. BREHAUT


Assessors' Report


In accordance with Article 25, voted at the 1961 Annual Town meeting, the Board of Assessors awarded a contract to the J. M. Cleminshaw Company to carry out an equalization program of all non-exempt taxable properties.


The J. M. Cleminshaw Company is one of the oldest appraisal firms in the country and is known nationally for the quality of their work. In the last few years, this concern has completed equalization programs in the neighboring towns of Hampden, East Longmeadow, Ludlow, Hatfield, Williamsburg, Whately and Sunderland. The contract calls for use of experienced field men and appraisers with a completion date of April 1, 1962.


As of January 1, 1962, the field work, consisting of measuring and listing each building has been completed. The appraiser is reviewing the field data so that the new formula can be applied


43


to each building. A committee of local realtors met with the Cleminshaw job manager and the Assessors to review tentative land valuation procedures. Informal hearings will be scheduled in March for property owners to discuss the new values with Cleminshaw representatives.


We wish to express our thanks to each property owner for the fine cooperation given the J. M. Cleminshaw personnel.


In December 1961 the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in the case of Bettigole vs. Springfield Assessors that fractional assess- ment was in violation of the State Constitution even though the same fraction was applied to all classes of properties. The pos- sible effect of this decision in relation to church properties was discussed with representatives of the local churches. The full effect of the Court decision has not been completely ascertained at the writing of this report, but we will conform to the State Tax Commissioner's interpretation.


In September 1960, the Board of Assessors hired the American Appraisal Company to defend the established values of the Red Bridge dam and power station. Formerly this hydro-electric sta- tion was owned by the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, but the new owner, Western Massachusetts Electric Company, appealed this value of some years standing. The Appellate Tax Board hearing was held in May, 1961 and the Board viewed the prop- erty in November, 1961. At the writing of this report no decision as to the Court's opinion of value has been received, but a deci- sion in favor of the Electric Company could increase the tax rate by as much as one dollar.


Due to the misunderstandings held by many people, we feel it necessary to mention two points. First, state law requires own- ers of personal property other than household furnishings to file a form of list with the Assessors prior to March first each year. Second, any type of application for abatement on real estate, or personal property must be filed with the Assessors on or before October first each year.




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