USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1908 > Part 2
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$878 50
Superintendent, for labor, produce and board.
446 02
$432 48
Increase as per inventory
6 48
Cost of support of poor at almshouse for this year ..
$426 00
Number of weeks board of poor, 58. Cost per week, about $7.00.
Inmates at almshouse, March 1. 1908. Joseph Jenny, age 84 ; Adrastus Sherman, age 69.
29
OUTSIDE POOR.
Sylvia Wakefield
$60 00
Mrs. Margaret Duprey
48 00
Mrs. George Casey 66 00
Mrs. Ella Jennier
12 00
Mrs. Delia St. John .
20 00
Mrs. James Quinn
38 00
Steney Bigos
126 92
Mary Murry
5 00
Minnie Cloutar
11 70
Dennis Murry
3 00
Mrs. Joseph Rivers
60 00
Mrs. Frank E. Smith
7 61
$458 23
Poor of Milford, Adrastus Sherman
$2 75
Poor of Fall River, Catharine Bochier
$6 75
Poor of Fall River, Frederick Bochier $6 75
STATE POOR.
Mrs. Adolph Gardner
$13 00
Mrs. Catherine Lopatoska
2 75
Edward Seydan
18 00
Mike Ricci.
6 90
$40 65
Due from state, Mrs. Gardner
$13 00
66
C. Lopatoska 2 75
66
E. Seydan
18 00
66
66 M. Ricci. 6 90
$40 65
Due from state, 1906, Frank Rebar $15 00
Due from Sutton, 1906, Mrs. Milton Humes $82 97
LOCK-UP ACCOUNT.
William Herendeen, care of lock- up to Sept. 1 $20 00
30
Feb. 29 William Herendeen, care of lock- up to March 1. $12 50
$32 50
Number of tramps for year, 0.
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT.
1907.
Mar. 8 J. W. Wixtead, one book $ 40
Apr. 5 Stamps . .
1 00
June 22 Telephone to Worcester 15
Aug.12
Expense to Thompson
2 50
17 66 " Boston .
2 50
" Ware 3 63
Oct. 10 Harris Smith 2 00
28 Stamps .
1 00
31 Expense to Webster 2 00
1908.
Jan. 6 Expense to Boston 2 50
17 John Hunter, aid
2 00
Expense to Webster . 75
Advertising
25
$20 68
AMOUNT RECEIVED FOR SUPPORT OF POOR.
1907.
Mar. Cash on hand. $ 70
Received from Town Treasurer. 1,100 00
State 61 95
66 Milford . 2 75
$1,165 40
RECAPITULATION.
Paid on account of poor at almshouse $459 15
Outside poor 458 23
State poor . 40 65
Poor of Milford
2 75
Poor of Fall River 13 50
31
Lock-up.
$32 50
Miscellaneous 20 68
Due from State
40 65
1
Repairs on almshouse
93 25
Cash on hand
4 04
$1,165 40
The Overseers have received for their services :
Henry D. Mowry
$100 00
E. T. Rawson 25 00
Orlan F. Chase
25 00
HENRY D. MOWRY
Overseers E. T. RAWSON
of
ORLAN F. CHASE, Poor.
I have examined the accounts of the Overseers of the Poor and find them correct.
D. P. WOOD, Auditor.
32
Annual Report of WILLIE R. WALLIS, Agent
ON THE
Devise of Moses Wallis
TO TOWN OF DOUGLAS FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1908.
The Agent has charged himself with amounts due the town March 1, 1908, as follows :
Notes due the town .
$5,388 72
Accrued interest on notes
267 23
Deposited Rhode Island Hospital Trust Co. and interest . . . 25,007 50
Cash in hands of Agent 60 50
- $30,723 95
1907.
Mar. 1 Cash in hands of Agent $60 50
Maria C. Wood 6 00
A. F. Brown ... 530 00
Apr. 1 Mary A. Reynolds 15 00
13 John Valior 18 00
Sept.14 E. M. Southwick 30 00
Oct. 1 Mary A. Reynolds 6 00
Nov.26 Vesta H. Balcome 7 50
33
Dec. 9 Potter M. Bates
$ 9 00
1908.
Jan. 7
Frank Duval 25 00
22 Maria C. Wood 6 00
Feb. 10
Joel Glover
24 00
27 Phebe Young
35 00
28 Joseph T. Arnold
12 00
29
C. F. Rawson
12 00
John D. Darling
65 00
David and Amos Lunn
30 00
$891 00
The Agent has paid out as follows :
1907.
Mar.23
Deposited Rhode Island Hospi- tal Trust Co
$596 25
Discharge of mortgage 25
1908.
Feb. 29 Agent care of Devise . ..
75 00
$671 50
NOTES DUE THE TOWN MARCH 1, 1908.
Maker of Note
Paid by
Accrued Int.
Principal
Joseph T. Arnold
Arthur L. Putnam
$200 00
Preserved Alger
Russell H. Baton
$ 6 00
100 00
Emma J. Brown
31 13
150 00
Vesta H. Balcome
Wellington Balcome
3 64
125 00
Potter M. Bates
John C. F. Bates
3 35
150 00
Salina Casey
Ordeal Casey, admr.
33 00
500 00
Frank Duval
15 52
125 00
Frank Duval
26 65
300 00
John D. Darling
Rosmond Rickerd
32 55
Joel Glover
Sarah Duffo
2 30
200 00
David and Amos Lunn David Lunn
10 33
500 00
Charles F. Rawson
21 30
200 00
34
Maker of Note Paid by
Accrued Int.
Principal
Mary A. Reynolds
$2 30
$100 00
Mary A. Reynolds
9 30
250 00
Edward M. Southwick Wm. H. Evans
17 00
500 00
Susan V. Thayer
53 42
500 00
John Vallier
Agnes Gauvin
18 45
300 00
Maria C. Wood
4 75
100 00
Phebe Young
35 75
500 00
$294 19
$4,832 55
RECAPITULATION.
1907.
Mar. 1 Cash in hands of Agent.
$60 50
Cash received during year 830 50
$891 00
Cash paid out during year .. . $75 25
Deposited R. I. H. Trust Co. . .
596 25
Cash in hands of Agent
219 50
$891 00
1908.
Mar. 1 Notes due the town
$4,832 55
Accrued interest 294 19
Deposited R. I. H. Trust Co. and interest to date 26,639 99
Cash in hands of Agent 219 50
$31,986 83
Value of Devise March 1, 1907
30,723 95
Net gain for the year . $1,262 28
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIE R. WALLIS, Agent.
Audited accounts and securities and found correct.
D. P. WOOD, Auditor.
35
Report of Tax Collector.
FOR 1907.
Douglas, March 2d, 1908.
The Assessors of Douglas for the year 1907 com- mitted to me the Collector's book with warrant to col- lect and pay over to the Treasurer of the said town of Douglas the sum of . $21,627 57
I have collected and paid over to the Treasurer in cash, discounts and abatements the sum of . 20,840 98
$786 59
Cash collected since March 1, 1908
61 67
Leaving balance uncollected to March 1, 1908 ... $724 92
Interest collected on taxes to March 1, 1908 . .. $18 64
By vote of the town March 1902, the names of all delinquent tax payers are to be printed in the town report, and are as follows :
.
36
LIST OF DELINQUENT TAXPAYERS FOR 1907.
Bertrand F. Aldrich. . $396 70
George W. Belanger. . .. 2 50
John Bombara. 2 00
Alfred A. Casey 3 67
John Carlson .
2 00
Jennie L. Chase. 39 66
Richard J. Dermody 2 00
Warren H. Fletcher 2 00
Ovilla Gendron 3 34
Chas. H. Hilton 2 00
Mrs. Chas. H. Hilton. . 84
Arthur H. Holbrook ...
2 00
Mrs. W. L. Humphrey .. 8 52
Henry Howard 2 00
William H. Lane 6 17
Mary Landry . . 7 52
Mary J. Murphy 8 35
Heirs Anan Richardson 15 03
Lewis Normandeau 7 03
Jerry Dunleavy 13 86
Mrs. Sarah A. Sibley 19
Joseph P. Love 77
James McMullen
1 25
Heirs Willis W. Sherman 2 52
Fred H. Thompson . . 7 01
Estate Mrs. E. E. Thomp-
son
3 34
NON-RESIDENTS.
Mrs. Delia J. Payne . .$10 02
Mrs. I. T. Johnson . .. 5 01
Mrs. H. D, Stoddard 7 52 Mrs. Belle Turner, guard-
ian G. H. Kelley. 38 91
Estate J. H. Leavett 2 09
Edgar S. Hill 5 85
Frank Lambert
16 70
Dr. E. V. Granger 1 67
Mrs. Chas. Whitcomb. . 3 34
Levi Holt or Est. Mary Holt 6 68
Milton Humes 9 76
F. F. Sibley 2 52
Daniel Rodgers
7 51
Estate Mary A. Rodgers 2 09
Est. Mrs. Lovell South- wick 9 21
Barr Bros
5 01
Willis W. and Lucius
Sherman
6 26
Respectfully submitted,
E. P. HEATH, Collector.
37
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYORS.
In this department the prices for labor, per hour, are : Sur- veyors, 20c; 2 horses on cart, 20c; 1 horse on cart, 12}c; 2 horses . on scraper, 30c; laborers, men 15c, boys 12}c; man driving scrap- er 17&c.
PAUL D. MANNING, District No. 1.
Charles Chruch, 140 h $21 00
O. L. Sleeper, 90 h 13 50
Raymond Dudley, 72 h 10 80
Driving scraper, 60 h 10 50
Two horses, 49 h 9 80
Two horses on scrap-
er, 60 h 18 00
Phil Manning, 81 h 12 15
Alphonso Chase, 70 h
10 50
Charlie Scardia, 5 h
75
William Jilson, 3 h 45
Richard Joguson, 2 h 30
Paul D. Manning, 235 h 47 00 Two horses, 172 h 34 40
Two horses on scrap- er, 60 h 18 00
Gustavus Dudley, 3 h Two horses, 40 h 8 00
45
H. N. Logee, sharpen-
ing tools 30
33 loads gravel 1 65
E. N. Jenckes, 3 shovels 1 70
Lawson Putnam, 10 h
1 50
Claramond Chase, 5 h
75
$284 70
District No. 1.
$1 56
Cyrus Sweet,
Fred Parks, 90 h $13 50 Mrs. Julia Palmer, 54 loads gravel 2 70
W. L. Church, 30 h 4 50 Joseph Reynolds, 20 h 3 00
Joseph Richardson, 90 loads gravel 4 50
Arthur Putnam, 69 loads gravel 3 45
Ralph Dudley, 1 pair
horses, 20 h 4 00
John Daley, 99 h 14 85
Guilford Dudley, 60 h 9 00
Harry Dudley, 25 h 3 75
38
U. I. PETERS, District No. 2.
U. I. Peters, 207 h $41 40
N. Dancouse, 12 h
$ 1 80
Team, 158 h
31 60
C. Church, 40 h 6 00
C. Dudley, 15 h
2 25
H. Dancouse, team, 5 h 1 00
O. Roberts, 43 h
6 45
O. J. Peters, 14 h
2 10
H. Dancouse, 108 h
16 20
6 horses on scraper, 20 h 18 00
H. A. Peters, 139 h 20 85
H. A. Peters, 25 h
5 00
W. L. Church, 8 poles
2 00
A. Roberts, 140 h 21 00
W. R. Wallis, plank
and spikes
12 16
A. Roberts, team 35 h 7 00
Repairing
tools
and
P. Bryant, 45 h 6 75
supplies 11 14
J. Forget, 30 h 4 50
V. Auger, 30 h
4 50
$235 95
L. A. BUFFUM, District No. 3.
L. A. Buffum, 176 h $35 20
One horse, 129 h
16 11
W. F. Young, 30 h
4 50
Two horses, 86 h 17 20
D. A. E. Wallis, 16 h 2 40
Two horses, 16 h 3 20
William Brown, 66 h 9 90
Sharpening drills
16
George Buffum, 51 h 7 65
Dynamite
caps
and
William Herendeen, 66 h 9 90
fuse 91
W. A. Sherman, 5 h 75
$130 83
A. E. CHAPMAN, District No. 4.
A. E.Chapman and team $41 80 O. F. Chase, team and
Irving Esty
$14 25
men 13 00
Henry Chase and team 16 55
Myron Chase, 6 loads gravel
30
Edrastus Chase and
team 12 55
A. L. Parker and team 19 65
Frank Eddy
5 10
$176 25
WILLIE JARVIS, District No. 5.
Willie Jarvis, 245 h
$49 00
James McCulley, 40 h $ 6 00
Frank Jarvis, 245 h
36 75
Horses, 90 h 18 00
Willie Eldrich, 20 h 3 00
Lewis Eldrich, 20 h
3 00
$115 75
George Buffum, 37 loads gravel 1 85 L. A. Buffum, 129 loads gravel 6 45
John Nelson, 91 h
13 65
Mrs. L. E. Chase est., 62 loads gravel 3 10
Myron Chase 9 00
Lumber and labor on bridge 40 95
A. A. Metcalf, 20 loads gravel $ 1 00
P. Dancouse, 95 h 14 25
39
F. J. KENYON, District No. 6.
F. J. Kenyon, 55 h $11 00 1
2 horses, 55 h 11 00
Harry Lambert, 70 h
10 50
Roy Kenyon, 148 h
22 20
Myron Chase, 30 h
4 50
F. J. Kenyon, 40 h 8 00
$130 15
l horse, 40 h 4 00
John Dolbeer, 60 h 9 00
GRADING SCHOOLYARD.
F. J. Kenyon, 30 h 6 00
2 horses on scraper, 30 h
9 00
F. J. Kenyon, 50 h
$10 00
scraper, 30 h 5 25
2 horses on scraper, 30 h Use of scraper
20
Ralph Converse, 30 h 4 50
F. J. Kenyon. 30 h
6 00
1 pick, D. A. Co. 1 00
1 horse, 30 h 3 00
Sharpening
John Dolbeer, 30 h 4 50
2 bars, Gleason 20
1 horse, 30 h 3 00
2 picks, Gleason 20
W. S. Scribner, 1 hoe
45
Charlie Maynard, 25
$40 90
W. E. CARPENTER, District No. 7.
W. E. Carpenter, 237 h $47 40
W. E. Carpenter, horse and cart, 175 h 21 87
W. E. Carpenter, 40 loads gravel 2 00
O. Harvey, 249 h
37 35
John Bancroft, 20 h 3 00
St. Andre, 20 h 3 00
L. Normandin, 20 h 3 00 Robert Lunn, 10 h 1 50
St. Andre, horse and cart, 20 h
2 50
Fred Lunn, 15 h 2 25
O. Harvey, Jr., 20 h
3 00
Randolph Darling, 20 h 3 00
Frank Draper, 20 h 3 00
Urbin Peters, driver on scraper, 20 h 3 50
St. Andre, 38 loads gra- vel 1 90
Urbin Peters, 2 horses on scraper, 20 h 6 00
O. Gurtin, 22 loads
Henry Bancroft, 20 h
3 00
gravel 1 10
Henry Bancroft, 2 hor-
W. R. Wallis, tools 3 77
ses on scrapper, 20 h 6 00
W. R. Wallis, one scythe and handle $1 55
Mrs. Burlingame, 15 loads gravel 75
Fred Parker driver on
2 horses 50h 10 00
Harry Lambert, 50 h
7 50
Roy Kenyon, 50 h 7 50
9 00
loads gravel 1 25
John Roberts, 20 h $3 00
John Roberts, 2 horses on scraper, 20 h 6 00
Henry Peters holding scraper, 20 h 4 00
$171 14
40
M. W. SOUTHWICK, District No. 8.
M. W. Southwick, 284 h $56 80
35 h
$6 12
S. Hindon, 118₺ h
17 77
C. Stearns, 124} h
18 67
J. Otis, 20 h
3 00
H. Lambert, 373
5 62
D. Dudley, horses on
cart, 106 h
21 20
D. Dudley, horses on
scraper, 35 h
10 50
F. Parker, horses on
scraper, 35 h
10 50
F. Parker, driving hor-
ses on scraper
M. Southwick, horse on cart, 88 h 11 00
L. Buffum, 17 loads
gravel
85
C. Stearns, 9 loads gravel 45
C. Maynard, 6 loads
gravel
30
H. Hindon, 38} h
5 77
$168 55
PALMER CONVERSE, District No. 9.
D. A. E. Wallis, 2 hor-
ses and man, 30 h $10 50
D. A. E. Wallis, one horse and man, 15 h 4 13
Nelson Roberts, 30 h 4 50
Ralph Converse, 22 h 3 30
Willie Saplant, 10 h 1 25
Albert Bray, 15 h 2 25
F. M. Draper, 202 h 30 30
Frank Smith, 3} h 1 00
John Vergin, 28₺
4 28
Philip Druley, horse
and man, 10 h 2 75
W. E. Carpenter, 80 h 16 00
W. E. Carpenter horse and cart, 125 h 15 63
Randolph Darling, 125 h 18 75
Napoleon Bruno, 13 h 1 95
Wesley Gow, 5 h 75
Joseph Delcose, 20 h 3 00
John Hizson, 20 h
3 00
W. E. Carpenter, 45 h
6 75
W. Bruley, 15 h 2 25
George Valier, 20 h 3 00
George Conrad, 30 h 4 50
Mrs. Thayer, 16 loads
P. Converse, horse and
cart, 69 h
$8 63
P. Converse, two horses
and cart. 180} h
36 10
George Seymour, 75₺ h
11 33
Mike Ole, 35 h
5 25
P. Converse. 264} h
52 90
$254 85
WORK IN DISTRICT NO. 3. ORDER OF SELECTMEN.
P. Converse, 53 h .
10 60
Mike Ole, 31 h
4 65
George Seymour, 25 h
3 75
P. Converse, two horses
and cart, 53 h
10 60
$29 60
WORK ON SIDEWALK.
P. Converse, 5 h
1 00
P. Converse, 2 horses
and cart, 5 h
1 00
George Seymour, 5 h
75
$2 75 gravel 80
41
H. C. METCALF, District No. 10.
H. C. Metcalf, 50 h $10 00
G. Pellicy, 10 h $1 50
horse and cart, 50 h 6 25
G. Buffum, 10 h 1 50
A. L. Metcalf, 50 h 7 50 F. Correll, 2 horses and C. Bennett, 30 h 4 50 cart, 20 h 5 00
2 horses and cart, 30 h 7 50
1 man, 15 h 2 25
C. Gezzett, 30 h 4 50
A. Brown, 25 h 3 75
R. Darling, 25 h
3 75
Waldo Bros., pipe 18 87
F. Chappell, 27 h 4 05
horse and cart, 7 h
87
R. Bruley, sewer lower village 46 63
W. Herrendeen, 20 h 3 00
$128 42
I have examined the foregoing reports of Highway Surveyors and find them to be correct.
D. P. WOOD, Auditor.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
FOR THE
Year Ending March 1, 1908.
LA.
S
46
INCORPOR
WHITINSVILLE, MASS. : PRESS OF EAGLE PRINTING CO. 1908.
2
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
E. N. JENCKES
Term expires March 1, 1908
FRANK E. JONES
66
1908
LUCIUS J. MARSH
66
1908
CHARLES BENNETT
66
66
66
1909
GILBERT W. ROWLEY
66
1909
T. H. MEEK.
66
66
66
1909
CHARLES J. BATCHELLER
66
1910
WILLIAM L. CHURCH
66
66
66
1910
WILLIE MANAHAN
66
66
66
1910
SUPERINTENDING COMMITTEE
L. J. MARSH FRANK E. JONES G. W. ROWLEY
PURCHASING AGENT
CHARLES J. BATCHELLER
TRUANT OFFICER
A. B. SIMMONS
3
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1907-08
FALL TERM
High school opened September 9, 1907. Elementary schools opened September 16. All schools closed December 20.
WINTER TERM
High school opened December 31, closing March 20, 1908. Elementary schools opened January 6, closing March 13.
SPRING TERM, RECOMMENDED
All schools open March 30. Elementary schools close June 19. High school close June 26.
LENGTH OF SCHOOL YEAR
Elementary schools 36 weeks. High school 40 weeks.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
Three blasts of the whistle at 7.45 a. m. indicate " no school " for the morning session.
Three blasts of the whistle at 12.15 p. m. indicate " no school " for the afternoon session.
1
4
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
APPROPRIATIONS AND RECEIPTS.
Appropriations for public schools and for
transportation of pupils $5,500 00
Books and supplies 400 00
For superintendent 300 00
1905, ( credit not tak-
en ) . 300 00
For school physician
50 00
For repair of school houses
200 00
Town school fund
56 48
" 1905, ( credit not taken )
56 48
State school fund
847 49
66 1906 balance, (credit
not taken )
125 00
State for superintendent .
500 00
Balance unexpended last year
502 05
$8,837 50
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers
$4,752 00
Janitors 618 25
Superintendent
660 00
Transportation
450 00
Fuel
797 62
·
5
Books and supplies. $394 02 Outstanding bills of last
year . 62 63
$456 65
Repairs
153 92
General expenses
381 36
School physician
50 00
$8,319 80
Balance unexpended
$517 70
LUCIUS J. MARSH, FRANK E. JONES, GILBERT W. ROWLEY.
6
Superintendent's Report.
THE BOYS OF AMERICA.
What we have a right to expect from the American boy is that he shall turn out to be a good American man. Now, the chances are strong that he won't be much of a man unless he is a good deal of a boy. He must not be a coward or a weakling, a bully, a shirk, or a prig. He must work hard and play hard. He must be clean-minded and clean-lived, and able to hold his own under all circumstances and against all comers. It is only on these con- ditions that he will grow into the kind of a man of whom America can really be proud. In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is-hit the line hard ! Don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard !- THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
To the School Committee, Douglas, Massachusetts :
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit the following as my annual report for the year ending March 1, 1908.
The usual number of changes in the teaching force have oc- cured during the past year but we have also been as usual fortu- nate in filling vacancies in all cases.
CHANGES IN TEACHING FORCE.
Resignations-Miss Matilda Burghardt, Grammar School; Miss Helena Wixtead, Grade V; Miss Blanche Gordon, Grade I; Miss Marion MacCullum.
Transfers-Miss Louise Doherty, from Old Douglas to Grammar School.
7
Elections-Miss Edith M. Fogg, as assistant in High School; *Miss Morrison, as teacher in Grade V; Miss Marjorie Doherty, grade V; Miss Blanche Blackburn, Grade I; * Miss Edith Partridge, South Douglas; Miss M. B. Brown, Old Douglas.
During the last part of Winter term, Miss Mabel Manahan was given a leave of absence and Miss Alma Quintal served as temporary substitute.
*Miss Partridge finished her work in South Douglas at the close of the Winter term.
*Miss Morrison was with us only a little time.
GRADES AND GRADE COMBINATIONS.
GRADES.
SEPT.
FEB.
TEACHERS.
1
54
47
Miss Blackburn.
31
31
Miss Johnson.
3
33
35
4b
11
10
Miss Abbott.
4a
12
11
Miss M. E. Doherty.
5
36
33
6
26
25
Miss Buffington.
7
26
24
8
20
16
Miss L. M. Doherty.
High
31
27
Miss Fogg.
So. Douglas
19
14
Miss Partridge.
West Douglas
17
17
Miss Manahan.
Old Douglas
24
Miss Brown.
338
314
The following arrangement of grades is submitted for the purpose of bringing to your attention a condition which is un- sound, untruable and bound to work ultimate harm and injustice. (1) Two teachers have a grade and a half each, vis. 3-4, and 4-5. These two teachers each drew fifty cents more a week, a mere
Mr. Brackett.
8
pittence as compared with the work one grade of same number of pupils. (2) Two teachers have particularly small schools, grades 2 and 6. These two had large schools last year, salary same in both years. (3) One teacher, grade 1, has had an ab- normally large school.
The question naturally arises, why not unite a part of some large with one of a small grade in all cases as has been done in the two cases mentioned. Simply because a precedent has been estab- lished whereby a teacher who is given a grade and a half is ad- vanced a little in salary over the others.
As a consequent it is unjust to ask any teacher to take in ad- dition, work without giving them additional pay, a power that your Superintendent does not possess.
The situation is, therefore, peculiar and dangerous and needs adjusting. A teacher this year may have 25 pupils and next year have 55 but there is no way to fix either situation :-- This is wrong.
Your Superintendent makes the following recommendations:
1. That all teachers be experienced or Normal trained as far as possible.
2. That the present schedule be abolished in June and the following substituted:
All new teachers be given $9.00 per week for the first year; the salary of the second year be $10.00 and of the third year and after $11.00
3. That the present corps of teachers be arranged accord- ing to this plan.
4. 'That in engaging teachers the work shall not be exactly stipulated as to number and name of grade and that a teacher be required to teach anywhere in the group in which she works, viz. Primary or Grammar.
5. That this arrangement be not applied to advanced gram- mar grade teachers only when she takes one grade.
The foregoing plan will reward the service of old teachers. Since we have none but that work well. (2) It will tend to
(1)
9
hold our new teachers, since it offers an increase of salary for three years. (3) The sum total of salaries as well as the average salary per teacher will be no more than in the past, owing to combina- tion of grades and reduction of first year work.
HIGH SCHOOL AND CHANGE OF GRADE.
At the commencement of the fall term, it was decided to place the 9th grade (so called) in with the High School and to secure an assistant for Mr. Brackett. The purpose of this arrange- ment was an ultimate union of the 9th grade with High School proper.
Some three years ago when 9th grade pupils began to ask for advance work, it was indicative that, if the same improvement in the quality of the grade work was continued, it was only a matter of time when the grade work would reduce itself to 8 years and the 9th grade would be doing first year High School work. This was just what occurred in September. The 9th grade were taking Latin, Algebra, Physiology, History, Advanced English and review of Geography, the latter being superfluous as they had already com- pleted the subject of Geography.
That is how the 9th grade had practically become Freshmen in High School, had passed all the tests and examinations without being conscious of it.
This matter of grades therefore is laid before you as a report of what we have done to the end that this policy be continued, and the work of the Elementary School be attempted in eight years. For a continuance of this subject on the High School side, I refer you to Mr. Brackett's report.
Table A. Douglas Public Schools.
SCHOOL
GRADE
TEACHER
WHERE EDUCATED
Salary per week
No. of weeks in year
Total enrollment
Total membership
Average membership
Average attendance
Per cent. attendance
Tardinesses for year
Dismissals for year
No. not absent for
No. not tardy for
No. not absent or
tardy for year
Visitors
High
J. F. Brackett.
Bates College
$25.00
40
18
18
16
15
92
191
42
1
5
1
11
Grammar
IX
VII-VIII M. C. Burghardt ....
Stockbridge High. .
12.00
36
50
51
43
37
88
228
203
8
0
29
Intermediate
VI
E. L. Buffington .....
Douglas High .. ..
10.00
36
39
41
33
30
91
70
104
0
4
0
40
V-IV
K. Helena Wixtead .. Douglas High ..
10.50
36
46
46
38
34
90
56
46
0)
14
0
28
Primary . .
IV-III
Edith Abbott ....... |Douglas High .
10.50
36
42
44
40
37
93
80
39
0)
11
0
29
66
L
Blanche E. Gordon .. Farmington Nor ...
10.00
36
53
50
40
83
118
28
0
19
40
Douglas ....
Mixed
M. Louise Doherty. . Tufts College.
10 00
36
22
22
17
17
77
40
7
0
5
0
41
Marion M. MacCullom Provincial Nor., N.S.
36
22
22
17
13
74
31
20
0
3
0
40
So. Douglas. W. Douglas.
Mabel Manahan. .... Douglas High ....
36
15
15
14
73
88
36
0
0
0
0
20
400
354
359
299
327
86
949
617
2
88
1344
25.00
36
13
13
11
10
93
13
120
1
2
1
11
Etta H. Johnson ... . Douglas High .
10.00
36
34
30
28
94
36
8
0
17
0
35
per year
per year
for year
year
year
-
33
10.00
Table B. Douglas Public Schools.
SCHOOL
GRADE
TEACHER
WHERE EDUCATED
Total enrollment
Av. membership
Av. attendance
Per cent.
of attendance
Absences
Tardinesses
Dismissals
Visitors
High . . . . . .
J. F. Brackett
Bates College
36
32
30
93.
157
56
15
7
Grammar ...
VII-VIII M. Louise Doherty .
Tufts College .
45
41
38
93.
270
43
16
10
Intermediate
VI V-IV
K. Helena Wixtead. Edith Abbott .
.
Douglas High .
36
32
30
93.
136
22
46
.6
II
Etta A. Johnson.
Blanche I. Blackburn.
Woburn High . ...
04
49
44
90.
358
20
11
9
Douglas ...
.
Mixed
M. Bell Brown ..
Farmington Normal
25
25
23
93.5
128
6
9
19
So. Douglas.
66
Ethel Partridge.
Truro Normal ...
18
15
13
86.
236
88
C -1
17
W. Douglas.
Mabel Manahan
Douglas High . . .. .
15
15
14
89.
103
0
347
302
298
91.8
987
311
281
87
II
.
Douglas High .
26
24
23
93.
107
16
149
13
Douglas High. .
47
45
41
91.4
280
22
15
Primary . . . .
IV-III
Douglas High .
45
44
41
92.8
212
38
22
10
I
E. I .. Buffington .
Edith Abbott Fogg.
Boston University . .
12
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
During the past year we have been especially free from epidemics, so that it is difficult to tell just how much good the new law for medical inspection has done during its first year of its operation. But there are certain things that indicate more whole- some conditions. Dr. Clark has been assiduons in his care of the sanitary condition of the building and has given several valuable talks to the teachers.
This plan of having a physician assigned to the building, whose duty should be to watch over the sanitary conditions, and instruct and advise the teachers what to do in cases of emergency; also, as to the manner of detecting contagious diseases is certainly a good one and will have a tendency to promote cleanliness in the buildings on the part of the children-both as to the person and surroundings; and would also tend to make the teachers more watchful-not only for the first symptoms of contagious diseases but for general wholesome conditions.
I believe that proper medical inspection, from time to time, will train the children and all others concerned to better hygienic conditions. I believe that it is just as much a part of the general education of a child to-day to teach them proper hygienic habits as it is to teach them the so-called three R's.
I quote the following from a recent report regarding medical inspection in schools of the State :
"The system does not lesssen the responsibility of the parent or tend to weaken or supersede the home. Under medical in- spection, absolutely nothing is done for the parent but to tell him of needs of his child, of which he would otherwise have been in ignorance. It leaves it to him to meet those needs.
There is a mass of evidence showing conclusively the follow- ing things:
(1) That the schools are a principal means of disseminating disease throughout the community.
(2) One of the reasons why the above is true: That children go to school with light cases of measles, scarlet fever and diphther-
13
ia, and return to school while still in a condition to transmit disease.
(3) That medical inspection can largely prevent the dissem- ination of disease in the schools.
(4) That children also go to school while suffering from severe non-contagious diseases, and can be greatly benefited by medical inspection, resulting in notification of parents in such cases."
THE EYE AND EAR TEST.
According to the requirements of the State, the hearing and sight of the children were tested during the past year with the following results:
Whole number tested 2:26
Number found with defective sight 70
Number found with defective hearing 14
Number of parents notified 75
Aside from the fact that these yearly tests serve to keep the parent posted as to the condition of the children in this respect, a far greater result is being reached in bringing to the mind of the teacher certain defects of sight or hearing, which heretofore were not thought of, and which were mistaken for dullness or · stupidity. I have no doubt that, in years past, certain children were pronounced dull or stupid, when dulness lay only in the fact that they could not see the board or hear the instructor; and so, became listless and disinterested. Oftentimes a change of seat nearer the work, or away from the glaring light, will remedy a slight defect, prevent a more serious one-and remove dullness. All this is being brought about by the yearly sight and hearing test.
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
I desire to call attention to the condition of the supply ar- rangement and its relation to changing conditions of the schools.
I 4
We have at present appropriated $400 for supplies. This is supposed to cover the following things:
1. Miscellaneous supplies not included in Book and School supplies, such as mats, soap, towels and toilet paper, etc.
2. Books and School supplies proper.
3. Special appropriation for apparatus in High School: Four hundred dollars can not do it and give adequate material for the schools to use.
We need (1) $400 for "Books and Supplies." and (2) $100 for special apparatus for the High School, if the High School is to be kept up to the standard it is now aiming for.
The general supplies such as mats, maps and other kindred materials that belong to the equipment of a building, should come out of an incidental fund, not out of "Books and Supplies."
THE COMING EDUCATION.
The coming education is to be that of the hand and eye as well as the brain. The general trend of affairs is towards this end. We have ceased to regard mental development and the knowledge of the three R's sufficient. There is a cry for skill- for such training as will not only develop a boy mentally but will train his hand and eye to be skillful.
Modern life, with its complex civilization, its specialized in- dustries. is demanding not only an education, which shall be broader than formerly but which shall emphasize the factors that characterize our modern life-industry.
Very little has been done toward specialized training in our town up to the present time. Last year I brought this subject to your notice under the title of "Industrial Training." This year I am bringing it before you again with more emphasis and definite- ness.
We have made some attempt at hand training in the lower grades the past year by means of various industrial lines. At the present time an attempt is being made to extend this throughout
15
the grades by arranging a course in industrial work and having three or four periods a week devoted to it.
Such work might consist of paper cutting, folding and weav- ing in the primary grades, Raffia work in basketry, whittling and sewing in the intermediate grades, and extended manual training and bench work, with sewing for the girls, in the grammar grades.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS S. BRICK,
Superintendent.
16
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. F. S. Brick, Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :
I herewith respectfully submit my third report as principal of the High school.
I feel that we have made a step in the right direction now that we have an assistant in the High school. Our course has been broadened; our work strengthened. The quality of work is better and the quantity is more varied ; an opportunity is offered for a choice of two courses where only one was possible before.
The 9th grade is now enrolled as a regular High school class and is doing freshman work, viz : Latin, Algebra, Rhetoric, Physiology and Arthmetic, besides Themes and Oratoricals.
The reading course has been broadened and closer touch with the public library has been secured than ever before.
There is need of encouraging the parents to give their boys a High school education. At present the enrollment is 30, where- as it ought to be 45 at least.
The great majority of pupils are taking home work nights and doing all the way from one to three hours of home work a day.
Through your kindness-the giving up of your office for a laboratory, we are able to do far more satisfactory work in experi- mental Physics and Chemistry than before.
I wish to thank the school board and you for the support and help which you have given us in the past year.
Respectfully,
JOHN F. BRACKETT.
East Douglas, Mass.,
Mar. 1, 1908.
17
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
To the School Committee of the Town of Douglas.
I submit the following report of the work done in music.
First, with few exceptions, the pupils enjoy the work and manifest musical ability.
In cases where the pupils cannot sing, they master the techni- cal part of the grade work required.
The prescribed course has been carried out by all the grades. Some of them being able to accomplish the work in less time than last year, which fact, we attribute largely to their thoroughness in last year's drill, making them able to grasp the work in a more comprehensive manner.
Three part work is being carried on from the sixth grade up, with a good degree of success.
I feel that better results might have been attained if we could have had more music for the higher grades.
We used last year as well as this, music which was borrowed from the Uxbridge schools, which of course lessened our expenses. I would like to emphasize the fact that we need some more sup- plies in order to do the best work the grades are equal to.
I am convinced that this line of work meets the needs of the pupils and cannot fail to raise the standard of work if continued.
Thanking the superintendent, principal and teachers for their hearty co-operation and interest in the work, I am,
Respectfully, ADDIE L. SWEET,
February 29, 1908.
Supervisor of Music.
18
Report of School Committee.
The Committee and Superintendent have held monthly meet- ings as in the preceding year.
Repairs on school buildings consisted of repairing the vaults and chimneys on the High school building. Next year there will be some needed repairing to be done on the school buildings at Old Douglas and South Douglas.
The calendar of the school year was practically the same as last year.
At a meeting of the joint Committee held at Uxbridge, it was voted to give Mr. Brick a leave of absence until January 1, 1908, provided he would be here at the opening of the schools in Sep- tember and supplied some one as acting Superintendent. Mr. Brackett served us in Mr. Brick's absence.
Your Committee has given the High school a good deal of attention the past year.
The State provides by law that a town of less than five hun- dred families which maintains a high school, the courses of which are in accord with State requirements, having two or more in- structors, shall be aided to the extent of five hundred dollars ($500.00 ), in maintaining of such High school. The State census shows that the town of Douglas has less than five hundred fami- lies.
In September an assistant was hired for the Douglas High school. The belief is that the work of the school has been great- ly improved. A visit from the State Agent is promised at once. A recommendation is looked for as a result of this visit.
The school at South Douglas has been closed since February 24th, because of whooping-cough.
The Committee recommend that the school open March 16th, and close June 26th.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCIUS J. MARSH, FRANK E. JONES, Superintending Committee.
GILBERT W. ROWLEY,
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