USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Penacook > Annual report of Penacook Union School District, Penacook, New Hampshire for the year ending 1946 > Part 1
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THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
1947
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https://archive.org/details/annualreportofpe00pena
MR. GEORGE W. SUMNER
To Mr. Sumner we owe our gratitude and praise for his long service as Superintendent of Penacook Schools. Prac- ticing democracy in his administration did much to develop strong pupils and teachers. His understanding in dealing with parents and his sincerity in working with Boards of Education gave him their respect. We extend our best wishes to him during his well earned retirement.
Thirty-Eighth Annual Report
of
PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
Penacook, New Hampshire
for the
Year Ending June 30, 1946
W. B. RANNEY CO .. PRINTERS, PFNACOOK. N. H.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL DIRECTORY
February 1, 1947
FRANK BEEDE, Chairman,
Term expires March 1947
CLAIRE V. BRECKELL, Secretary,
Term expires March 1947
JAMES J. HAYES, Term expires March 1948
ALFRED J. YORK,
Term expires March 1948
BEATRICE E. PETTES,
Term expires March 1949
EDWARD YORK,
Term expires March 1949
Regular meetings at the office of the Superintendent of Schools, on the third Monday of each calendar month, except June, July and August at 7:30 p. m.
District Officers
HARRY MATOTT, Moderator JANE RIVET, Clerk WYNNE H. FOWLER, Treasurer
Auditors
FRED C. ABBOTT
HARRY MATOTT
HAZEN C. FRAZEE
Superintendent of Schools FRED W. SNELL
Office at the Summer Street School Building, rear entrance. Office is open on all school days from 8:30 to 12:00 and from 1:15 to 4:30. Appointments for conference with the Superintendent can be made through the Clerk, Emma S. McGirr.
Truant Officer HERBERT L. BILLINGS
School Nurse
MARY E. ORMSBEE, R. N.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
TEACHERS
High School
GEORGE RANDALL, Headmaster,
Mathematics
GEORGE SULLIVAN, Submaster,
History and Social Sciences Mechanic Arts
VICTOR BOCCIA,
MARY KACHAVOS,
Home Economics and Science
DAVID KNECHT,
Science
MATILDA MCDONOUGH,
Commercial Subjects
PRESTON ROLFE,
Drawing, Mathematics and
Science
CHARLOTTE RUTH,
English and Latin
RITA SERLICK, English, French and Spanish
Summer Street School
HELEN M. QUINN, Principal,
Grades 7 and 8
JOSEPH P. CANNISTRARO,
Grades 7 and 8
SUSAN E. ARMS, ANNA J. SPEARMAN,
Grade
Grade 5
Charles Street School
DOROTHEA R. WARD, Principal,
Grade 4
DOROTHY M. BURNHAM,
Grade 3
KATHARINE J. TOOMEY,
Grade 2
WINIFRED C. ACKERMAN,
Grade 1
Supervisor of Music MARTHA F. GALE
Janitors GEORGE H. MATOTT HERBERT L. BILLINGS
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
To the Inhabitants of the Penacook Union School District in the City of Concord, qualified to vote in district affairs :
You are hereby notified to meet at the Exchange Hall in said district on the 27th day of March 1947, at six o'clock in the afternoon, to act upon the following subjects :
1. To choose a Moderator for the coming year.
2. To choose a Clerk for the ensuing year.
3. To choose two members of the School Board for the ensuing three years.
4. To choose a Treasurer for the ensuing year.
5. To determine and appoint the salaries of the School Board and Truant Officer, and fix the compensation of any other officers or agent of the district.
6. To hear the reports of Agents, Auditors, Committees, or Officers chosen, and pass any vote relating thereto.
7. To choose Agents, Auditors and Committees in rela- tion to any subject embraced in this warrant.
8. To see if the district will vote to make any altera- tion in the amount of money required to be assessed for the ensuing year for the support of public schools and the payment of the statutory obligations of the district, as de- termined by the school board in its annual report.
9. To see if the district will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand, five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) to defray a deficit for the current school year.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
10. To see if the district will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of three thousand, seven hundred dollars ($3,700.00) for paying the employees of the district a bonus for the current year.
11. To see if the district will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of three hundred dollars ($300.00) for the support of high school athletics.
12. To see if the district will vote to build a new Audi- torium-Gymnasium.
13. To see if the district will vote to authorize the school board to accept funds from the Federal Works Agency and to make necessary contracts for the preparation of plans and specifications for a New Auditorium-Gymnasium in accordance with Title V of the War Mobilization and Re- conversion, Act of 1944.
14. To see if the district will authorize the school board to contact the appropriate federal agency for any funds available for school plant construction and to accept any and all offers made in the form of grants to districts for the purposes of improving school plant.
15. To transact any other business which may legally come before said meeting.
Given under our hands at said Penacook, this 10th day of March, 1947.
JAMES J. HAYES, BEATRICE E. PETTES, ALFRED J. YORK, FRANK BEEDE, EDWARD' H. YORK, CLAIRE V. BRECKELL,
School Board.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD'S ESTIMATE FOR 1947-1948
School Board's statement of amounts required to support public schools and meet other statutory obligations of the district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1947.
DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES
Salary of district officers :
Treasurer
$50.00
Board of Education
190.00
Clerk, Moderator and 3 Auditors ($5.00 each)
25.00
Superintendent's salary
748.00
Truant officers' salary and census
75.00
Expenses of administration
925.00
Teachers' salaries
36,100.00
Text books
1,000.00
Scholars' supplies
1,500.00
Flags and appurtenances
15.00
Other expenses of instruction
600.00
Janitor service
3,200.00
Fuel
2,000.00
Water, light, and janitors' supplies
750.00
Minor repairs
1,800.00
Health Supervision
450.00
Transportation of pupils
600.00
Other special activities 500.00
Per capita tax for state-wide supervision 630.00
Insurance and other fixed charges 1,500.00
New equipment 2,000.00
Principal of debt
2,000.00
Interest on debt
630.00
Total budget $57,288.00
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
Estimated Revenue Tuition Dog taxes
$6,500.00 150.00
$6,650.00
Total to be raised for 1947-48 $50,638.00
Under Article 9 Deficit for 1946-47 $1,500.00
Under Article 10
Bonus for 1946-47 3,700.00
Under Article 11
Support of high school athletics 300.00
Grand Total
$56,138.00
In accordance with the estimates in the above table, we recommend that the district raise the following amounts :
Under Article 8:
For the support of public schools and the payment of the statutory obligations of the District. (This includes the amount required by law) $50,638.00
Under Article 9:
Deficit for 1946-1947
1,500.00
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
Under Article 10:
Bonus for 1946-47 3,700.00
Under Article 11 :
Support of high school athletics 300.00
Total $56,138.00
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK BEEDE,
CLAIRE V. BRECKELL,
JAMES J. HAYES,
ALFRED J. YORK,
BEATRICE E. PETTES,
EDWARD YORK,
Board of Education.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
RECEIPTS, JULY 1, 1945 TO JUNE 30, 1946
Income From Local Taxation :
Raised March, 1945
$32,910.56
Bonus 1945-46, Voted March 1946
2,812.50
Deficiency Appropriation
2,734.00
Retirement
218.00
Overdraft to June 30
2,641.81
Total
$41,316.87
From Sources Other Than Taxation :
Dog licenses
$181.88
Elementary school tuition
16.10
High school tuitions
4,888.46
Income from Walker fund
1.25
Reimbursement from federal agencies 774.45
Milk 1,235.42
Other receipts (Blue Cross, Super-
visory Union bills, supplies) 1,086.95
Total $8,184.51
Total receipts from all sources
$49,501.38
Cash on hand, July 1, 1945
3,290.14
GRAND TOTAL
$52,791.52
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
PAYMENTS, JULY 1, 1945 TO JUNE 30, 1946
Gross Pay- ments
Sales and Reimburse- ments
Net Pay- ments
Administration :
1. Salaries of dist. officers $265.00
$265.00
2. Superintendent's salary 569.33
569.33
3. Truant officer and school census 48.33
48.33
4. Exp. of administ'n 1,663.76
$813.62
850.14
Instruction :
5. Teachers' salaries 29,967.27
29,967.27
6. Text books 548.26
548.26
7. Scholars' supplies 1,248.68
215.07
1,033.16
8. Flags and appurtenances 3.31
3.31
9. Other expenses of instruction 448.51
448.51
Operation and Maintenance of School Plant :
10. Janitor service 2,756.09
2,756.09
11. Fuel 1,818.39
1,818.39
12. Water, lights, and janitors' supplies 661.21 661.21
13. Minor repairs & exp. 2,134.23
2,134.23
Auxiliary Agencies and Special Activities :
14. Medical inspection 408.21 408.21
15. Transportat'n of pupils 507.50 507.50
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
18. Other special activities 2,253.57
2,009.87 243.70
Fixed Charges :
19. Tax for state-wide supervision 606.00
606.00
20. Ins. and other fixed charges 797.19
797.19
Outlay for Construction and
Equipment : 23. New equipment 615.25 615.25
Debt, Interest and Other Charges :
24. Payments of principal of debt 2,000.00
2,000.00
25. Payments of interest on debt 750.00
750.00
29. Blue Cross 57.00
57.00
Total payments for all purposes $50,127.09 $3,095.56 $47,031.53
Cash on hand, June 30, 1946 2,664.43
GRAND TOTAL $52,791.52
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
BALANCE SHEET
June 30, 1946
ASSETS
Cash on hand :
Balance June 30, 1946 $2,664.43
Accounts due the district :
Andover School District (S. U. bill) 270.51
Salisbury School District (S. U. bill) 77.64
Wilmot School District (S. U. bill)
78.36
Canterbury (Tuition) 281.55
Barnstead (Tuition) 40.20
From Federal Agencies (Milk)
137.66
Total Assets $3,550.35
Excess of liabilities over assets
23,091.46
GRAND TOTAL
$26,641.81
LIABILITIES
Accounts owed by district :
Advance by City of Concord $2,641.81
Bonds outstanding 24,000.00
Total Liabilities $26,641.81
GRAND TOTAL
$26,641.81
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
REPORT OF DISTRICT TREASURER
Cash on hand June 30, 1945
$3,290.14
Received from City of Concord :
Taxes
$41,316.87
D'og Tax 181.88
Income from Walker Fund
1.25
Federal reimbursements (milk)
774.45
Received from all other sources
7,226.93
$49,501.38
Total amount available for fiscal year
$52,791.52
Less School Board orders paid
50,127.09
Balance on hand as of June 30, 1946
$2,664.43
WYNNE H. FOWLER, District Treasurer.
AUDITORS' CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that we have examined the books, vouchers, bank statements and other financial records of the treasurer of the school district of Penacook, of which the above is a true summary for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1946 and find them correct in all respects.
FRED C. ABBOTT, HARRY W. MATOTT, HAZEN C. FRAZEE,
January 24, 1947.
Auditors.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To Board of Education and Citizens of Penacook Union School District :
I herewith submit my first report as Superintendent of Schools.
Because of the coverage given the various buildings in the district by the Principals and Headmaster I should like to make my report of a more general type concerning the education of the youth in our district.
First and foremost in the educational field must, of neces- sity, be the CHILD; his development and his welfare. In order that he be able to develop to the fullest and enjoy the best from our educational set-up he should be given the best possible conditions under which to work and the best possible teachers to guide his thinking for he is the future citizen of our world.
With this aim in view I should like to bring out these two points, namely: school plant and teaching personnel.
The enrollment in our schools is on the increase and in the very near future we will find ourselves faced with inade- quate facilities to house our youth. Already this lack has made itself apparent at the Summer Street School. At the beginning of the school year the combination grade of 7 and 8 was much too large for one teacher to handle effective- ly. We were fortunate in being able to secure the services of Mr. Joseph Cannistraro who has assisted in the morn- ing session and in this way has alleviated the heavy load that Miss Quinn was handling. This move, however, neces- sitated the use of the Music and Lunch room to conduct the classes. Another school year will find this room being used wholly as a classroom since it will become necessary to employ a full time teacher for grades 7 and 8.
Serious consideration should be given in our future plans for the consolidation of our elementary schools into a modern
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
and adequate plant to serve the needs of the youth of the community.
The district lacks a suitable hall for the conduction of plays, games, physical education, graduation exercises and other school activities. These activities are becoming more and more a part of the educational life of our boys and girls.
I am convinced that the time has come for the district to give considerable thought and take favorable action on steps necessary to bring about the fruition of the proposed gym- nasium-auditorium. Your boys and girls deserve an ade- quate place in which to enjoy these extra curricular activi- ties of the whole school life.
Going hand in hand with the adequacy of our school plant is the desirability of increasing the effectiveness of our teaching. This may be brought about by, first, paying the teachers an adequate wage in order that they may live a normal live and be able to pursue courses of studies at the summer sessions of colleges and universities in order to keep up with the times in the field of education; secondly, by keeping at all times a staff of experienced teachers or at least teachers with sufficient training to make them ef- ficient and effective in their teaching. Much has been writ- ten concerning the salaries of teachers and since the teach- ers are one of the greatest factors in shaping the life of our future citizens do we dare entrust that charge to poorly paid, untrained and unefficient personnel? I am confident that you, the voters of the district will say no to that ques- tion and will vote an adequate sum of money for the reten- tion of our teaching personnel.
A movement which has been gaining impetus throughout the nation is the inclusion in our educational system of a kindergarten. Serious consideration should be given to the inclusion of this feature in our future plans of building for the district.
In order that our schools work more closely together and on a somewhat similar schedule of opening and closing I
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
should like to make the following recommendation. That you give serious consideration to the starting time of schools for the coming year and the widespread differential be done away with by having the schools start at the same time. This will work to the advantage of parents who have chil- dren in the three schools and will also make for a more uniform school day for all pupils.
It is only through the cooperative efforts of all concerned with our schools that we will be able to make progress toward that goal for which we are all working; the com- plete education of the whole child. Therefore, may I sug- gest that the parents, teachers, and interested persons get together more frequently to discuss your common problems -- the child.
I wish to express my appreciation to the Board of Educa- tion, teachers, and citizens who have been so helpful in this my first year as your superintendent. May our future years be as pleasant and as cooperative and fruitful as has been the first.
Respectfully submitted,
FRED W. SNELL.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
REPORT OF HEADMASTER OF PENACOOK HIGH SCHOOL
February 10, 1947.
To the Superintendent:
Pupils and staff join me in expressing our appreciation of your early and helpful understanding of our problems and aid in solving them.
A statement of things done, already well known to you, would be a waste of time and paper. The newspaper ac- counts of school activities are in enough detail to keep the public informed of such.
Of value to you, the board of education and the voters of the district would be a discussion of problems yet to be solved.
The need for an auditorium-gymnasium is more appar- ent each year. With all expenses connected with athletics higher than ever before, and with the 20% admissions tax still in force, and with the very limited revenue from basket- ball games at our rented hall, the need for financial aid to carry basketball and to equip all teams is urgent. The inclusion of an item in this year's warrant is encouraging.
The expanded noon lunch program has taxed the home economics kitchen nearly to the limit. Next September, with high school cooking classes needing the use of the kitchen for two hours or more daily, additional space for preparing noon lunches will be needed. The possibility of serving all the elementary schools in their own buildings should be explored.
The gradual building up of shop and laboratory equip- ment at the expense of the district has been aided by the re- ceipt of some very useful surplus property from the fed- eral government.
The building continues to be used by community organiza- tions at a minimum cost to the district.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
We appreciate the difficulties facing the Board of Educa- tion in this particular school district during a period of rapid- ly rising costs. Until such time as each school child here has as much taxable wealth back of him here as in the rest of the city of Concord, the tax rate will always be higher even though the cost per pupil is lower. Our young people are not to blame for this inequity and should not have their education curtailed in quality nor in quantity because of it.
May I close with paragraph quoted from the New Hamp- shire State Teachers' Association Bulletin for January, 1947 : "A teacher's salary must do more than provide a minimum of bread and butter. It must provide for relaxation, for re-education, for medical and social security; it should enable him to educate his children adequately ; it should free his classroom hours from the worries of finances and out- side work." It should be high enough to serve as a stimulus to cause some of the most capable of each graduating class to choose teaching as their vocation.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. RANDALL, Headmaster.
February 14, 1947.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF SUMMER STREET SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Since the last report of Summer Street School, a part time teacher has been added to the staff in our building. The ever-increasing number of pupils in the seventh and eighth grades, made it necessary to secure the services of an assistant. In considering the enrollment of each grade at the present and the expectancy of larger classes in the future, one can understand the great need of a full time teacher. Where the pupil load is too great, there can be very little attention given to individual differences among the children. With another faculty member, more time can be devoted to guidance work, the testing of pupils, and extra-curricula activities.
Our school lunch program began November 4, 1946. We have an average of thirty-seven boys and girls taking this hot meal daily. The children and teachers are very appreciative to be a part of the program this year. The food is prepared at the high school and through the use of a mobile unit is brought to our building. This plan has worked very well. The pupil cost is fifteen cents per meal. One can realize that this is not the actual cost of the food. In almost every case, the individual child has greatly bene- fited by this hot meal, physically, scholastically, and socially. We cannot adequately express our thanks to Miss Mary Kachavos, Mrs. Beatrice Pettes, and Mrs. Jane Frary, who help conduct this program. We also express our appre- ciation to the Board of Education, who so whole-heartedly backed the plan when it was first proposed.
With the opening of another classroom, it is suggested that a study be made for a more adequate lunch room in our building for the coming year. It can be pointed out, at this time, that in connection with this program we need
20
PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
more and better tables. Parents and friends, who are inter- ested in the welfare of our boys and girls, could do much to promote this worthwhile project. The W. I. Brown Women's Relief Corps, No. 46, has already aided the pro- gram substantially with money and some equipment. To them we extend our thanks. In visiting your schools, it would be time well spent, to observe this undertaking in operation.
We returned to school in September to find many im- provements in the building. All the classrooms and the greater part of the interior had been cleaned and painted. Broken side walls in three rooms and an old ceiling in the lower hallway were replaced by new ones. At the same time, the electric lighting in the same hallway was re-ar- ranged for greater and better visibility.
During the time Mr. F. Lester Trafton was superintendent in our schools, each child was given an intelligence and an achievement test. The results of these gave valuable in- formation to the teacher which she might use in helping her boys and girls. This year, Mr. Fred Snell, our super- intendent, intends to carry on this work by a continuation of such testing. It is hoped that a noticeable improvement will be made in the work and attainment of our pupils.
The teachers are attending a Reading course conducted by Miss Mary Hayes, Supervisor of Concord teachers.
During American Education Week our school held "open house" for the entire period. Parents and friends visited the children in their classrooms. Such visits are appre- ciated by pupils and teachers and add greater enthusiasm and inspiration to their undertakings.
It has been suggested that a new time schedule be planned for both elementary schools, whereby, Summer Street and Charles Street begin and close at the same time. It is felt that the parents having children attending both schools would be greatly aided by this arrangement.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
To the School Board, parents, and friends, we wish to express our thanks for your loyalty and splendid spirit of co-operation. To our new superintendent, Mr. Fred Snell, the teachers and pupils extend a cordial welcome. We as- sure you of our support in return for the interest you have shown in all our activities.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN M. QUINN, Principal.
February 15, 1947.
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF CHARLES STREET SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In submitting the report for the Charles Street School for the current year, I should like to deal with the future policies of the school and its educational standards. Al- though all schools in an educational system are important in the field of work which they cover, it is so very essen- tial that we, in the lower grades, provide a firm foundation on which the other schools may build. Without that founda- tion, all the rest of the educational structure will be weak and of no lasting value. Our educational philosophy should embody the ideals of providing our children with the equip- ment and tools that will make them the future leaders of our community and country. Never before in the history of our country have we needed to strengthen our youth as we have today so that they will lead the world in clear think- ing and honest endeavor. From the minute the child en- ters our schools we should be building toward that end. What can we do? There are many opportunities for our youth here in Penacook. While it is true that education costs money, can we afford not to give our children the best ? It is for the taxpayers to decide.
With these thoughts in mind, I again submit to the people of our community the need for a kindergarten or a sub- primary class. As it stands now, our plant is not equipped for an undertaking of this sort, but it is not entirely im- possible. Yankee ingenuity and the whole-hearted coopera- tion of persons vitally interested in the schools, plus a dash of courage, could do much to start this program on its way. A class of this sort should be instructed by a highly com- petent person who would also be capable of doing remedial teaching in the afternoon should the need arise.
It took careful planning, foresight, and sincere coopera- tion to build up our hot lunch program. There were many
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PENACOOK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
problems to meet and solve, but now we have a program of which we may be justly proud. There is no doubt that the parents have received it enthusiastically. We all owe a vote of thanks to Miss Kachavos and her team of co-workers, Mrs. Arthur Frary and Mrs. Herbert Pettes, for the splen- did meals which are being served. On behalf of our school, I wish to further express my thanks to the now dis- banded Women's Relief Corps for the generous gift of money and equipment. It has been suggested that other or- ganizations might find it worthwhile to preserve any sur- plus foods its members might have during the summer and donate them to our cause. They would be most certainly appreciated. While our program is working smoothly and efficiently, I would like to suggest that the time has come when we should start planning to serve the Charles Street children in their own building. This could be worked out very easily.
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