USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1852-1887 > Part 7
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T. P. Burt,
72.00
Lauretta Pittsley,
24.00
Rollin Babbitt,
24.00
John Harmon,
16.00
Betsey Briggs,
36.00
Mary Delano,
12.00
Expended for state aid, $232.00
PAID ON TOWN NOTES.
Savings Bank note,
$400.00
B. G. Hathaway, note and interest,
206.99
Endorsed on Wm. H. Pierce's (guardian) note,
28.32
66
" Maria Burt's note,
53.62
66
" Aloria Tisdale's note,
109,56
Expended on town debt, $798.49
INTEREST PAID.
Interest on notes to Savings Bank, $351.67
12
INCIDENTALS.
Town of Middleboro', guarding fish at E. Taunton, $20.00 Gazette office. for printing, 28.00
A. B. Chace, books and stationery, 5.67
Liquor agent's license, 25.00
II. A. Dans, sealing weights and measures, 9.50
H. A. Dickerman, books and maps, for use of schools, 35.00
E. B. Babbitt, repairing settees, 4.50
Wm. H. S. Crane, serving warrants, &c.,
10.00
Philip French, care of town house,
7.00
Town clerk's bill, 13.35
Collector's bill, 98.00
Treasurer's "
64.13
Sinkage on taxes,
11.32
Abatement on taxes,
26.52
Six per cent. discount on taxes paid before Aug. 1, 227,83
Expended for incidentals,
$585.82
Cash in Treasury, April 1st. 1868, 343.21
Total expenditures,
$7,117.39
RECAPITULATION.
Cash receipts for 1867,
$7,117.39
Expense of keeping poor,
$299.27
Roads and bridges,
679.61
Public schools,
1,262.84
Repairs on school houses,
179.33
Seleetmen,
48.50
Assessors,
75.00
School committee,
29.20
State aid,
232.00
Paid on town notes,
798.49
Interest paid,
351.67
Incidentals,
585.82
State and County tax,
2,232.45
Cash in Treasury, April 1st,
343.21
$7,117.39
7,117.39
T. P. BURT.
Treasurer of Berkley.
13
PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE TOWN.
Town House,
" Farm,
$1,000.00 3,500.00
$4,500.00
Valuation of stock, provisions, hay, farming utensils, &c., on Town Farm,
$1,450.53
Liquor in Agent's hands,
152.39
Iron safe, for use of town,
75.00
Book case 66
18.00
School books in Committee's hands,
12.00
3 Oyster notes due June 1st, 1868, '9, and '70,
900.00
2 Fish 66
390.00
State aid furnished Jan. 1, 1867 to Jan. 1, 1868, 244.00
Cash in Treasurer's hands April 1st, 1868, 343.21
$2,134.60
$8,085.13
INDEBTEDNESS OF THE TOWN.
Maria Burt, Note dated April 1, 1867, $150.00
Wm. H. Pierce, (Guardian) Note dated April 1, 1867, 800.00
Rebecca Webster, Note dated April 1, 1867,
214.26
Enoch Boyce, 66 66 66 66 142.77
Aloria Tisdale, 66 66 March 27th, 1867, 200.00
Bristol Co. Sav'gs Bank, Note dated April 8, 1864, 2,000.00 66 66 66 Sept. 9, 600.00
82.08
66 " 5, 66 66
50.02
" 6,
66
1.36
$4,247.46
Balance in favor of the Town,
$3,837.67
T. P. BURT,
Treasurer of Berkley.
Interest on above notes to April 1, 1868, Dist. No. 1, balance Dist. tax,
6.97
P. Coleman
REPORTS
OF THE
School Committee
AND
TREASURER
OF
THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
1869-70.
TAUNTON: REPUBLICAN STEAM PRINTING ROOMS. 1870.
REPORTS
OF THE
School Committee
AND
TREASURER
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
1869-70.
TAUNTON : REPUBLICAN JOB PRINTING ROOMS. 1870.
1
.
SCHOOL REPORT.
The close of another school year reminds your Committee of its annually recurring duty of report- ing to the town of Berkley the condition and pro- gress of the public schools established by the town. Agreeably, therefore, to the Statutes of the Com- monwealth, the following report is respectfully sub- mitted :-
The whole number of children between the ages of 5 and 15 years in town upon the first day of May, 1869, was 152. The whole number of scholars at- tending school in summer was 129. The average attendance in summer was 93, or 72 per cent. of the whole attendance in summer. The whole num- ber of scholars attending school in winter was 171; the average attendance in winter 136, or 80 per cent. of the whole attendance in winter. Of this number, 39 were over the age of 15 years, and 6 under the age of 5 years. It will readily be seen by the above statistics that 44 scholars above or be- low the ages of 5 and 15 years, added to the 152 children between the ages of 5 and 15 years, should give 196 scholars as a maximum of attendance, in- stead of 171, as appears by the teachers' Registers, or 25 scholars that have not even put in an appear- ance at school. Whose children were these, thus deprived of the inestimable privilege of attending
4
school, and of thus qualifying themselves for the sphere of usefulness which we provide and desire for all? Who are those parents so indifferent to the well being and dearest interests of their children? So neglectful of duty and the sacred discharge of it as to allow the children so to absent themselves, or if possible, do still the more culpable act of prevent- ing their attendance? This flagrant violation of pa- rental obligation and of statute law should not be permitted, and we hope for the sake of human pro- gress will not recur again.
As the school system of this town is now under- going the transition from the District to that of the Town System, in common with many other towns in this Commonwealth, agreeably to the Statute of the Legislature of the last year abolishing the District system, those interested in our schools who have feared that the result would be disastrous, are ad- monished not to arrive at hasty conclusions regard- ing the change. Some derangement may naturally be expected as a result of the change, when it is con- sidered how long the schools of this town have worked in the groove of the district system. But a temporary derangement is no evidence of anything but a change. Financially, the immediate result of resuming specie payments would be a temporary de- derangement of present values, though few persons we think, however, would contest the point of its ultimate benefit in all departments of legitimate business and of productive industry. So with our new school system.
While we shall endeavor not to repeat our mis- takes, but rather profit by our experience, we confi- dently predict that with a fair unprejudiced trial, the present system will be eminently successful, and in a few years all good citizens will be satisfied with
5
the change. New and more convenient school houses will succeed the old and unsuitable in the order of their condition, and yet so gradually as not to be very onerous or burdensome. And here and now, your Committee express the ardent hope that the only rivalry about school houses will be, who shall be the most magnanimous and public spirited in granting a sufficient sum to build such school houses as that the generations to come will rise up and call us blessed. Let there be no sectional feel- ing, but remember that we are all citizens of one town, and whatever benefits one part of it injures no other, but inures to the educational, social and ma- terial prosperity of all. But while we plead for good school houses, those important and almost in- dispensible constituents of good schools, we would remind parents that their duties are not ended with providing suitable buildings and apparatus, nor even when well qualified teachers who are interested in their vocation are employed. Your personal zeal, interest and sympathy are indispensible. "If eter- nal vigilance is the price of liberty," it is no less the price of education, properly understood. Vigilance on the part of your Committee, that no incompetent, uninterested teacher shall be employed, but that each and every one shall be competent to teach, be imbued with a sense of its importance and far reach- ing consequences, and with a love of it. Vigilance on the part of the teacher, that no harsh or unworthy impression may be received, thus securing the ac- complishment of the aspirations and objects for which the system of public schools was conceived and established. Vigilance on the part of parents, so that the ever needful sympathy will be extended to the teacher to give efficiency to all her well directed efforts to advance the interests of the school, and to inculcate implicit confidence in, and willing obedi-
6
ence to, the teacher on the part of their children. On the part of the pupil, vigilance to guard against any disorderly or unworthy conduct toward teacher or schoolmates, and that the assigned lesson be properly conned and thoroughly understood-that no time shall run to waste, no opportunities for moral or intellectual improvement be neglected-so that their minds be not permitted to become like the garden of the sluggard, overgrown with the weeds of vice, and the stone walls of virtue's defence be not broken down. In this connection your Committee would express the earnest desire that the olden times custom which obtained when we were scholars should be revived. We would like to see the suc- cessors of that venerable clergyman of our youthful recollections, whom
"Even children followed with endearing wile,
And plucked his gown to share the good man's smile."
take active interest in our schools, making manifest that interest by visiting them, speaking about them in public, in private interviews and by pertinent sug- gestions to all who are interested in them. For it can hardly be doubted that the untiring efforts of their "illustrious predecessor " in the cause of edu- cation accomplished more to improve the moral and intellectual, the true foundation of the spiritual con- ditions of the generations contemporary with him, than his pulpit oratory which was not of an inferior order. And with their combined influence an im- pression was made, which will not be lost we trust for generations to come, but like good seed sown in good ground will spring up and bear successive har- vests of beautiful results, illustrated by the intelli- gence, morality and christianity of our citizens, young and old throughout the dim vista of the fu- ture. Likewise, we wish to see the custom revived of parents and citizens generally visiting schools
7
without ceremony as circumstances may best permit, , thus evincing their interest in the progress and con- dition of the schools. The good effect of these in- fluences can hardly be over estimated from many points of view. And while it would also promote a better understanding, and more complete harmo- ny and co-operation between parents, teachers and children,
"It wad frae mony a blunder free us And foolish notion,"
and sometimes even from prejudice; it would also have a most salutary influence upon the minds of the children who compose the schools.
Some of our summer school teachers were them- selves mere scholars, too immature in mind and in qualifications to assume the important position of teaching that which they needed first themselves to learn. Worthy young ladies they were, undoubted- ly, yet insufficiently educated to teach well, and less qualified to govern. Our schools are of too much importance-and are too short to be subjected to such frequent failures. But the shortness of our schools, and the small compensation paid, hindered the em- ployment of well qualified teachers of established rep- utation from abroad, and your Committee were obliged to employ such teachers as were employed or none. We hope and trust, however, that under the altered condition of more time to employ, and a more generous appropriation to compensate, that this sad state of affairs will not again recur. In the selection of teachers for our winter schools, we flat- ter ourselves we have been upon the whole quite fortunate. There have been no entire and but few partial failures in the winter term, and that partial failure must, we think, be largely charged to the re- sponsibility of some of the parents.
8
That the teacher's vocation is an important and honorable one will, we think, not be questioned. And because of the momentous interests involved, and because it requires the exercise of many of the highest and most enobling qualities of the human mind and character, the possession of which would command respect, and insure success in any calling or position. To teach properly requires more than to hear recitations and decide upon their correct- ness. It requires illustrations and explanations, and a careful study not only of the subject taught but of the minds to be taught,-its dispositions, capaci- ties and habits,-so as to foster, adapt and confirm, or correct, improve, check or restrain, according as they are good, ample and correct, or the reverse. In short, it requires knowledge of various kinds, language to impart it, ideality to comprehend the working of the juvenile mind, conscientiousness' to decide justly, and to promote the discharge of duty disagreeable though it may be, and to inculcate truthfulness. To govern a school properly requires self-government, firmness, energy, benevolence and consideration. And to these qualifications should be added a vivacious charming address, which will ban- ish ill-temper and boorishness, by teaching civility, politeness and amiability. These qualifications, pos- · sessed in a high degree, will command success ev- erywhere, the person not possessed of them in a considerable degree will not be very successful any- where.
We fear teachers, as well as parents, too often overlook the teaching of that good behavior in schools which is enjoined by the founders of the school system; "those virtues which so adorn socie- ty" are paramount to mere intellectual culture. While the intellect must be cultivated, the moral character and the conscience must not be neglected.
9
Will parents see to it that lessons of virtue are taught children at home, to be practised in school. Instruct them in their intercourse with their school- mates, teach them forbearance, truthfulness, kind- ness, and a desire to make others around them hap- py; to deny selfishness, restrain anger, to be asham- ed of hatred, even though momentary, and impress their minds with the necessity of diligence and obedience. Whenever there is a hearty co-opera- tion of all the influences which compose and direct our schools, we may, under the favor of God, expect to accomplish much in the right direction, and not until then. .
WALTER D. NICHOLS, 1 School Com. DANIEL S. BRIGGS, of HERBERT A. DEAN, Berkley.
School.
TEACHERS.
Summer Attendance. Whole Av.
Winter Attendance. Whole Av.
Length in Mos. Sum. | Win.
Wages per Month. Sum. | Win.
Amount Paid for each School.
No. 1.
Sarah B. Winslow, D. S. Briggs. Julia R. Burt,
21
18
25
22z
34
40
" 2.
23
16
33
26
3
22
$172.25
" 3.
Maria C. Reid,
30
20 13-15
3
20
$219.00
" 4.
Anna M. Hathaway, Lusanna S. Tripp, Ida F. Clark,
26
17
29
23}
33
28
" 5.
19
14
28
18 1-3
3
26
" 6.
Mary C. Harrison, Nellie R. Townsend,
10
8
20
25
3&
26
$1118.12
Town grant, State School Fund,
$1000.00 129.42
$1129.42
3
22
$215,50
George L. Ellis,
36
30g
34
45
3
22
$186.00
3
18
$142.50
34
21
$182.87
33
26
10
TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS,
Cash in Treasury April 1st,
$1077 10
State, County and Town Taxes,
5575 53
1 Oyster Note,
300 00
2 Fish Notes,
506 00
Town of Freetown on account of P. Coleman,
56 61
State Treasurer, State Aid,
156 00
66 Corporation Tax,
17 12
66
School Fund,
129 42
County Treasurer, Dog Fund,
54 07
Interest on Taxes,
11 63
$7883 48
EXPENDITURES.
State Tax,
925 00
County Tax,
364 23
Public Schools,
1141 25
Paid on Town Debt,
1600 00
Paid District Tax,
2261 95
Support of Poor,
271 85
Selectmen,
59 10
Assessors,
128 12
State Aid,
156 00
Roads and Bridges,
23 44
School Committee,
24 75
Interest Paid,
96 50
Incidentals,
445 07
Repairs on School Houses,
28 50
Cash on hand,
357 72
-$7883 48
12
EXPENDITURES IN DETAIL.
State Tax,
925 00
County Tax,
364 23
Paid on Town Debt,
1600 00
District Tax paid,
2261 95
Interest paid,
96 50
SELECTMEN.
Thomas C. Dean,
18 20
Benjamin F. Coombs,
6 00
D. S. Briggs, .
34 90
Expended for Selectmen,
$59 10
ASSESSORS.
D. S. Briggs,
70 00
B. F. Coombs,
38 12
Thomas C. Dean,
20 00
Expended for Assessors,
$128 12
STATE AID.
Lewis Green,
36 00
T. P. Burt,
72 00
Betsey Briggs,
48 00
Expended for State Aid,
$156 00
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Thomas J. Tew for gravel,
3 08
Mr. Goodspeed
2 96
J. D. Dillingham,
6 76
P. H. Fletcher,
2 00
J. S. Paull,
1 68
C. E. French,
6 96
Expended on Roads,
$23 44
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
D. S. Briggs,
24 75
-
13
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Appropriation by Town,
1000 00
State School Fund,
129 42
County Dog Fund,
54 07
Total for Schools,
1183 49 1141 25
Expended for Schools,
Balance due Schools,
$42 24
Expended for repairs on School Houses,
$28 50
Expended for School No. 1.
Sarah B. Winslow, summer term,
66 00
D. S. Briggs, winter, Repairs,
7 50
Incidentals,
19 50
$223 00
Expended for School District No. 2.
Julia R. Burt, summer term,
66 00
winter term,
97 50
Incidentals,
5 00
$168 50
Expended for School No. 3.
Maria C. Pierce, summer term,
60 00
George L. Ellis, winter term, Repairs,
2 00
Incidentals,
12 25
$220 50
Expended for School No. 4,
G. H. Hathaway, summer term,
66 00
L. S. Tripp, winter
105 00
Nellie R. Townsend,
23 75
W. D. Nichols,
3 00
Repairs,
2 64
Incidentals,
17 25
$217 64
130 00
- -
146 25
14
Expended for School No. 5.
Ida F. Clark, summer term,
54 00
M. C. Hansen, winter term, Repairs, Incidentals,
73 00
16 36
8 88
$157 24
Expended for School No. 6.
Nellie R. Townsend, summer term,
68 25
66 winter term,
87 50
Incidentals,
17 12
$182 81
SUPPORT OF POOR.
N. G. Townaend, bal. of salary care Aims House, 2 yrs. 124 43
J. W. Hart, house rent for Stephen Briggs,
15 00
White, Child & Co. groceries for do.
5 00
City of Taunton, supplies for do.
5 00
D. S. Briggs, supplies for Mahala Newhall,
6 50
George Blanchard, on account of B. Cudworth,
92 00
J. D. Hathaway, supplies to P. Coleman,
3 50
2
H. A. Dean, 66 66
6 00
H. A. Dean & Co. «
14 42 1
$271 85
INCIDENTALS.
J. W. D. Hall, printing,
23 00
Town of Middleboro' care of fish East Taunton,
20 00
D. S. Cummings, services as fish warden,
10 00
T. P. Burt,
14 00
Collector's Bill,
59 00
Treasurer's Bill,
49 97
Discounts, abatements and sinkages,
243 52
A. S. Bams & Co. school books,,
18 00
A. B. Chace,
7 58
$445 07
66
1
15
PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE TOWN OF BERKLEY.
Town House,
Farm,
$1000 00 3500 00
$4500 00
Valuation of Stock, Provisions, Hay, Farming Uten- sils, &c. on Town Farm, 1450 21
Iron Safe for use of town,
75 00
Book Case "
18 00
Six Oyster Notes due June 1st, 1870, '71, '72, '73, '74, '75, 2300 00
Two Fish Notes, due June 1st, 1870,
252 50
State Aid due from State,
195 00
Cash in Treasury, April 1st,
357 72
4648 43
$9148 43
INDEBTEDNESS OF THE TOWN.
Maria Burt, Note dated April 1st, 1867, 100 00
Wm. H. Pierce, Guardian, Note dated April 1, 1867, 800 00
Rebecca Webster, Note dated April 1, 1867,
214 26
Enoch Boyce,
142 77
Bristol County Savings Bank, “ 8, 1864,
400 00
1657 03
Balance in favor of Town, $7491 40
T. PRESTON BURT, Treasurer of Berkley.
REPORTS
.
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
TREASURER
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
1870-1.
TAUNTON, MASS., REPUBLICAN STEAM PRINTING ROOMS. BRISTOL COUNTY BANK BUILDING, 1871.
E .ТАГанай Му им
REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
TREASURER
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
1870-1.
TAUNTON, MASS., REPUBLICAN STEAM PRINTING ROOMS. BRISTOL COUNTY BANK BUILDING, 1871.
глобал добуон
SCHOOL REPORT.
The close of another school year reminds us, the School Committee of the town of Berkley, of the duty imposed upon us by the statutes of the Com- monwealth. Accordingly we submit the following as our report.
The whole number of scholars in town on the first day of May last, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, was 148, as returned to us by the Assessors of the town.
The whole number attending school in Summer, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, was 106. Over 15 years of age, 29. Under 5 years of age, 11,-or 121 in the aggregate.
The average attendance in all the schools and of all ages, in Summer, was 89 1-3. In Winter, the whole number of scholars attending school, between 5 and 15 years of age, was 120. Over 15 years of age there were 29. Under 5 years of age there were 3,-or in the aggregate 152 scholars of all ages.
The average attendance of all ages during the Winter was 126 1-4. 4
4
If these data, as furnished to us by the Assessors and by the several teachers, are correct, there are 28 children between the ages of 5 and 15 years who have not attended school at all.
In the language of last year's Report we inquire, " Whose children were these, thus deprived of the inestimable privilege of attending school, which we provide and desire for all, and thus qualify them- selves for a sphere of usefulness in the discharge of the various duties of life? Who were those parents so indifferent to the well being and dearest interests of their children? So neglectful of duty and the sacred discharge of it as to allow their children to absent themselves, or possibly do the still more cul- pable act of preventing their attendance? This fla- grant violation of parental obligation and of statute law should not be permitted, and we hope for the sake of human progress will not recur again." But sorrowfully do we record that it appears to have re- curred again and in a greater degree than last year. There is a serious wrong in this matter. Where does it exist?
The schools have been, upon the whole, quite satisfactorily conducted during the year; and they appeared well when compared with last year's schools, with the exception of that in number 3, which was last Winter taught by an experienced teacher of ability, and this Winter by a teacher without expe- rience, but who might have succeeded in some other school, though failing in governing this, the school was prematurely closed.
5
There has been considerable excitement and inter- est displayed and feeling expressed on account of the alleged lavish expenditure of money paid by us to several of the teachers during the Winter term. We enter upon a discussion of this subject under circumstances which produce feelings of regret, min- gled however with the consciousness on our part of rectitude of intention. We say regret, for anything which produces a division of opinion and action, or discord or hostility, or even apathy concerning the measures or success of our public schools is a sub- ject of profound regret, and much indeed to be de- plored. We shall not however enter upon a labored defense of our action in reference to this (to some) very reprehensible conduct.
A brief review of this " unpleasantness" must here suffice. The Committee authorized a gentleman to procure the services of the teacher for School No. 4 at $10 per week. The teachers in Nos. 2, 5 and 6 had been previously engaged to take their respective schools for the Winter term. The matter of wages however had not been definitely determined, but it was intimated to them that the compensation would be uniform. A minority of the Committee was im- pressed that the sum of $7 per week was to be the compensation generally, during the Winter term, but it was not so recorded. On the evening pre- vious to the commencement of most of the Winter schools the committee were informed that some at icast of the teachers would not commence their re- spective schools unless assured that their pay would
6
be equal to that of the teacher in No. 4. The Com- mittee concluded to accede to it rather than take the risk of being a long time without teachers at a sea- son when the schools should be open, and also of be- ing more poorly supplied even then at an equal or greater rate of compensation. The wages also for four months in Summer at $6 per week amount to $96, and three months in Winter at $10 per week to $120, added together making $216, divided by 7, (number of school months) gives $30 7-8, or $7 5-7 per week, which is not greater we think than is paid in a majority of the towns in our vicinity, if greater than the average wages in any of them. The teach- ers also had taught in their respective schools, and their services were, we believed, acceptable, and their continuance therein desired. Taking then the welfare of the schools into consideration, and taking also the promise made to some of the teachers, that their wages should be equal to that of any, and not feeling fully justified in making any invidious dis- tinctiou in compensation where there was so little difference in the value of the services rendered, the sum paid to all was alike, except in school No. 3, the teacher of which having never taught before, she received but $7.50 per week.
Upon a review of all the circumstances of this case, while we much regret the consequent shorten- ing of the schools, and would have been most happy to have avoided it if possible, we cannot but feel that we acted not only according to the best of our judg- ment, but also not unwisely. Teachers who have
7
shown a capacity for governing schools, an aptness for teaching, a patient assiduity and energy in the discharge of their duties as teachers, should not be lightly changed for an uncertainty in these several important respects.
In short, it sometimes is the part of wisdom to en- dure some disadvantage, rather than encounter the possibility, not to say probability, of greater.
There appears to be some of our citizens who de- sire to return to the former district system. And were such action likely to improve the condition of our schools, and give to them a more hearty support and awaken anew our increased interest in their prosperity, it would be well to re-establish the dis- carded district system, notwithstanding the many disadvantages thereof. But we have no confidence that such would be the result, and do not feel favor- able to such a retrograde movement as an experi- ment. We think it a "consummation" not "devout- ly to be wished."
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