Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1900, Part 5

Author: Middleboro (Mass.)
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 168


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$150 00


CR.


Expended


$150 00


ORDINARY REPAIRS, ALTERATIONS, AND PER- MANENT IMPROVEMENT OF SCHOOL PROPERTY.


DR.


Appropriation


£ $1,000 00 .


CR.


Ordinary repairs $754 99


Alterations and permanent improvement 608 30


---


$1,363 29


Deficit (paid out of current expenditures ap -.


propriation)


.


$363 29


SUMMARY.


Whole amount available for school purposes


. $23,961 23


Total expenditures .


·


.


23,954 51


Unexpended


.


$6 72


9


DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES.


INSTRUCTION.


Central schools :


High . $3,160 00


Main Street


·


. 2,039 00


Union Street .


. 1,274 50


School Street . . 1,574 60


Forest Street .


874 00 .


West Side


1,226 00


$10,148 10


Suburban schools :


Pleasant Street


$304 00


Plymouth Street


304 00


Purchade


289 00


Nemasket


281 00


Thompsonville


304 00


Soule


304 00


Waterville


294 10


Green .


356 70


Fall Brook


301 40


Thomastown .


304 00


South Middleboro


319 00


Highland


281 00


Rock


303 20


Wappanucket


301 60


$4,247 00


JANITORS.


Central schools


·


.


. $1,059 00


Suburban schools


.


218 09


$1,277 09


.


.


10


FUEL.


Central schools :


James L. Jenney .


.


$11 25


George F. Bryant .


.


.


827 14


H. K. Ellis


22 50


$860 89


Suburban schools :


Albert E. Drake


$20 64


B. J. Allan


19 25


A. J. Wood .


10 00


Henry L. Thomas


31 25


O. E. Deane


13 25


James L. Jenney


19 38


Thomas Smith


18 25


Josiah H. Thomas .


16 12


E. H. Shaw .


15 50


Anna M. Flansburg


13 00


J. H. Vaughan


13 70


J. A. Thomas


21 75


.


$212 09


BOOKS, STATIONERY, AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES.


Hinds & Noble


$1 20


A Storrs & Bement Co. . 3 90


George F. King & Co.


20 20


New England Publishing Company


1 00


Mineral Tablet Ink Company . 11 00


H. L. Thatcher & Co.


32 95


Dennison Manufacturing Company


19 73


Rand, McNally & Co. ·


49 34


Houghton, Mifflin & Co. ·


30 21


.


.


.


.


1


11


American Book Company ·


$138 78


University Publishing Company


36 08


Ginn & Co. ·


97 72


Edward E. Babb & Co. .


219 79


J. L. Hammett Company 176 59


Allyn & Bacon 1 46


Educational Publishing Company


1 26


The Prang Educational Company


110 62


D. C. Heath & Co.


81 10


T. H. Castor & Co.


2 92


Silver, Burdett & Co.


118 47


Holly Silicate Slate Company


4 11


Wood & Tinkham .


96 25


E. L. Kellogg & Co.


2 75


Sloyd Paper Company


7 17


C. W. Bardeen 2 79


Smith & Hathaway


30 75


Massachusetts Bible Society


2 70


Maynard, Merrill & Co. . 7 16


Ames & Rollinson Company 7 00


Eagle Pencil Company . 23 69


Adams, Cushing & Foster


15 60


The Arnold-Roberts Company


3 50


Henry Holt & Co.


7 50


Thorp & Martin Company


3 20


F. J. Barnard & Co.


236 77


Sibley & Ducker


5 25


The University of Chicago -


.


The University Press Division,


2 25


$1,612 76


-


12


SUNDRIES.


Asher J. Jacoby, traveling' expenses


in town $93 25


New York & Boston Despatch Ex-


press Co., express service 39 56


Middleboro Gas & Electric Plant, gas service . ·


9 36


John McNally, freight and cartage . 5 50


W. C. Litchfield, expenses, care of schoolhouses 8 95


F. C. Sparrow, truant officer, 1899 . 4 25


Middleborough Water Works, water service 18 00


Jones Brothers Company, chairs and shade ·


4 25


John S. Williams & Co., shades .


1 70


B. J. Allan, taking school census, painting, cleaning schoolhouses, and minor repairs 46 25


. The Masten & Wells Fireworks Mfg. Co., flags 12 80


H. K. Ellis, cleaning schoolhouses and other labor . 18 75


Mrs. Dora T. Leonard, taking school census and cash paid for labor 27 00


J. & G. E. Doane, sundries 38 81


Thomas W. Pierce, sundries 52 41


L. Deane, cleaning schoolhouses 10 00


William E. Bump, brooms 4 50


13


Mrs. Messer, cleaning schoolhouses . $6 00


Thomas P. Messer, cleaning and re- pairing stove-pipes .


1 00


Chas. W. Coffin, cleaning stove-pipes, 50


5 00


M. M. Copeland, printing school notice, Charles A. Howes, labor


2 35


E. H. Cromwell, cleaning well


2 50


Elvira P. Grant, cleaning schoolhouse, 3 00


Carrie E. Soule, cleaning schoolhouse, 2 50


O. Warren, labor 50


A. G. Hayes, caring for sewer at High School building . 5 00


Everett T. Lincoln, truant officer 15 00


E. H. Shaw, mowing yard and clean- ing buildings


2 00


J. H. Vaughan, setting glass .


35


$441 04


CONVEYANCE TO HIGH SCHOOL.


William T. Shaw


$10 60


Mary Morse .


8 90


Ethel M. Bolles


18 47


Chester M. Washburn


5 54


Sarah M. Shaw


36 60


Theodore N. Davis


9 80


Pearl Dennett


18 03


Hattie R. Dunham


·


9 78


Mattie K. Dunham


9 85


Henry E. Libby


18 46


James Murray


8 65


. .


·


.


.


.


14


Harold M. Pratt


.


$9 43


Louise Prime


.


35 20


Lena A. Richmond


9 61


Lottie A. Thomas


18 47


Florence White


2 60


Hattie Mansise


17 90


William S. Frost


10 04


James F. Harvey


5 54


Julia F. Weatherby


7 39


Minerva M. Sisson


8 93


Mary Libby .


7 39


Lucia A. Thomas


90


David H. Cunningham


3 35


William Murray.


3 55


Mabel F. Reed


8 93


Howland Perkins


.


3 65


Grace A. Tinkham


3 55


Frank A. Bradbury


3 70


Arthur C. Shaw


8 93


Annie Dorr .


3 70


Percy A. Jackson .


14 40


Marion F. Richmond


3 70


James P. Thomas .


7 30


$352 84


CONVEYANCE TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.


T. J. LeBaron


$7 55


Robert W. Thorson


.


182 00


C. E. Libby .


364 00


C. T. Morse


198 00


15


J. H. Vaughan


$280 25


Charles W. Coffin


200 40


Anna M. Shaw


273 00


Mrs. Etna E. Collins


2 50


· Joseph Carver


15 00


$1,522 70


ORDINARY REPAIRS, ALTERATIONS, AND PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.


Eben Jones


$381 73


W. H. Southworth


99 62


M. O. Rounseville .


192 90


T. F. Boucher


75


J. K. & B. Sears & Co. .


.


73 20


Jones Brothers Co.


2 90


William F. Dean


21 50


Fred C. Sparrow ·


5 80


J. & G. E. Doane .


146 50


W. B. Badger & Co.


9 45


Martin T. Soule


2 25


C. W. Maxim


11 39


L. Deane


4 00


C. N. Atwood


5 80


Masury, Young & Co. . 7 50


Boston School Supply Company


4 50


C. F. Gay


53 78


George B. Crapo


73 07


Estate of Bradford C. Burgess .


1 65


B. J. Allan


20 50


John S. Williams & Co. .


.


6 40


.


1


16


Thomas W. Pierce


$54 88


J. E. Legge .


.


8 05


Whitman, Sparrow & Co.


5 21


George W. Starbuck


4 75


Frank Phinney


3 35


Zenas E. Phinney ·


23 56


Elbridge Devine


11 70


Lloyd Perkins, 2d .


18 05


Charles B. Cobb


24 23


Highway Department


69 07


H. R. Place .


15 25


$1,363 29


Respectfully submitted,


W. C. LITCHFIELD. W. H. SOUTHWORTH. JOANNA T. LEONARD. NATHAN WASHBURN. B. J. ALLAN. ANNIE D. DEANE.


17


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.


To the School Committee :


In accordance with your requirement, I have the honor of presenting to you, and through you to the citizens of the town, my eighth annual report. It is the sixteenth in the series of annual reports of the Superintendent of Schools. It contains such information about the condition of the schools as seemed most interesting and suggestive, and such recommendations as I deem expedient to make for their wel- fare.


The report, with the exception of the fiscal returns, covers the year ending June, 1900. The fiscal year ended in Dec- ember, 1900.


ABSTRACT OF STATISTICS.


VALUATION.


Assessed valuation of the town, 1900 . $3,900,798 00


Approximate value of schoolhouses and lots, 65,000 00


Approximate value of other school property, 3,000 00


COST OF SCHOOLS.


Amount available for school purposes . $23,961 23


Total cost of the schools for the year . $23,954 51


18


Note .- This is the amount expended by the School Committee for all purposes.


Ordinary expenses . . $22,591 22


Note .- In ordinary expenses, permanent


repairs and construction are not included.


Percentage of assessed valuation expended for the schools .00614 · Average cost per pupil based on average mem- bership $20.408


Note .- The average cost includes cost of instruction, supervision, books, stationery and school supplies, printing and advertis- ing, care of buildings, fuel, and conveyance.


POPULATION.


Population of the town, 1900 (United States Census ) 6,885


SCHOOL CENSUS, SEPTEMBER 1, 1899.


Number of boys between the ages of 5 and 15. . 497


Number of girls between the ages of 5 and 15 . 546


Total 1,043


Increase over census taken May 1, 1898 . 22


Number of boys between the ages of 7 and 14 . 425


Number of girls between the ages of 7 and 14 . 461


Total 886


Number of male illiterate minors over 14 years of age 0


19


Number of female illiterate minors over 14 years of age


0


SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE.


Central. Suburban.


Total.


Whole number of pupils enrolled .


804


432


1,236


Average membership .


751


356


1,107


Average daily attendance


·


698


318


1,016


Percentage of daily attendance to


average membership


92.94


89.33 91.779


Number of half day's absence


·


17,745


15,058 32,803


Number of cases of tardiness


603


562


1,165


Number of cases of dismissal


619


488


1,107


Number of cases of truancy .


8


7


15


Number attending within the year


over 15 years of age


113


11


124


Number attending within the year


between 7 and 14 years of age .


520


333


853


HIGH SCHOOL.


Number of pupils enrolled


138


Ratio of pupils in High School to school enrollment, .112 Ratio of pupils in High School to school enrollment in the State .085


Number of pupils admitted to the High School in September, 1899, on certificates of graduation from the elementary schools :


Central


40


Surburban


·


.


.


.


4


Total . . . .


. ·


.


.


44


.


20


Number of pupils otherwise admitted


9


Number of pupils graduated from the elementary schools in June, 1899 55


Of these the number who entered the High School was ·


44


Per cent. entering the High School


80


Number of pupils graduated from High School in June, 1900


20


Number of pupils in each course, June, 1900 :


. English : Boys, 12; girls, 26; total, 38.


English-Latin : Boys, 19; girls, 36; total, 55.


Classical : Boys, 7; girls, 8; total, 15.


NUMBER OF PUPILS IN EACH CLASS, WITH AVERAGE AGES, JUNE, 1900.


CLASSES.


Boys.


Girls.


Total.


Average Age, Boys.


Average Age, Girls.


Average Age, Total.


First .


8


I2


20


18-0


18-2


18-1


Second


I2


8


20


16-10


17-6


17-2


Third


4


17


2I


15-II


16-10


16-4


Fourth


14


33


47


15-7


15-6


15-6


Total .


38


70


108


ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS BY GRADES, JUNE, 1900.


()


PRIMARY.


GRAMMAR.


SCHOOLS.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


Central .


85


95


85


60


51


42


40


Suburban


66


69


37


58


49


54 30


34


19


IO


Total


15I


164


122


118


100


84


85


61


50


Grade D, 20; Grade C, 18.


21


AVERAGE AGE OF PUPILS IN EACH GRADE, JUNE, 1900.


PRIMARY.


GRAMMAR.


SCHOOLS.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


-


9


Central Suburban


6-8


8-5 8-3


9-6 8-1I


IO-2


II-5


12-7 12-6


12-3 13-


13-11 13-8


15-5


General average,


6-9


,8-4


9-2


9-1I


II-7


I2-6


12-7


13-9


15-0


Grade D, 10-6; Grade C, 11-1.


PROMOTIONS, JUNE, 1900.


PRIMARY.


GRAMMAR.


SCHOOLS.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


Central . Suburban


57


S3


8I


57


40


53


37


52


5I 48


66 28


49 36


15


9


Total


IIO


I44


118


109


99


94


85


58


49


Grade D, 19; Grade C, 18. /


TEACHERS.


Number of teachers employed, including assistants, June, 1900 34


High School: Men, 1; women, 3; total 4


Grammar schools : Men, 1; women, 7; total 8 .


Primary schools, women .


8


Suburban schools, women 14 ·


TEACHERS' TRAINING CLASS.


Whole number of pupils enrolled .


4


Residents, 2; non-residents, 2.


14-7


6-11


9-9


II-IO


43


22


Number of graduates in June, 1900


Residents, 2; non-residents, 2.


SCHOOLHOUSES AND SCHOOLS.


Number occupied, June, 1900 19


Number of rooms, not including recitation rooms 30


Number of recitation rooms .


5


High School rooms .


.


4


Grammar schoolrooms, grades 4-9


8


Primary schoolrooms, grades 1-3 .


10


Suburban schoolrooms, mixed grades


14


Number of houses heated by steam


1


Number of houses heated by hot air furnaces .


6


Number of houses heated by stoves


12


COST OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


The total expenditures for the schools were larger than the year before, but the cost of schooling each pupil in the average membership of the schools was less. In 1898-99, the cost was $22.288, while in 1899-1900 it was $21.639,- a decrease of $0.649. The cost in the State, including new buildings, was $34.62.


The average expenditure for each pupil in the average membership of the schools, based on expenses exclusive of buildings and repairs, was $20.408, while in 1898-99 it was $20.845,- a decrease of $0.437. The cost in the State was $26.06, or $5.652 - more than in the town.


The average expenditure on account of public schools for support and buildings (exclusive of new buildings) for each child in the average membership of the schools, for the years


4


23


1895-1900, was as follows : 1895, $23.20; 1896, $22.97; 1897, $22.633; 1898, $21.913; 1899, $22.288; 1900, $21.639. While the total expenditures have increased each year, the figures show that the average cost per pupil in the past year has been less than for any of the previous years named. This was made possible by an increase in the aver- age membership of the schools, and by the practice of strict economy.


In the administration of public affairs the officials should give the same thought, painstaking care, and business saga- city to the finances that the successful business man gives to his interests. While economy should be practiced, it is pos- sible to carry it so far as to result in waste. In school affairs the best interests of the schools and the financial resources of the town to further these interests should always be carefully considered, and the money made available by the town be so expended as to get the best possible returns for each dollar. This has been the aim of the Committee and the superintend- ent, and the results secured must speak for themselves.


The appropriations asked for by the Committee for the new year are larger than in any previous year. They are the re- sult, however, of careful consideration of the large increase in the number of pupils since September, 1900, the needs of the schools, and the financial condition of the town. To carry on the work as it has been in the past, the amounts asked for seem necessary. No provision is made for the introduction of new lines of work involving increased expen- ditures, with the exception of the permanent employment of a special teacher of music. I hope the town will see the


24


needs of the schools, and as in the past, generously vote the amounts asked for.


IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS.


For a number of years past strong efforts have been made to keep the school buildings in good repair, and to make as many of the needed improvements as possible. The con- tinuance of this policy, together with the erection of new buildings embodying sound sanitary and educational wisdom to replace the old ones or to increase the school accommo- dations, will eventually result in all buildings being well- ventilated, well-lighted, well-equipped, and having beautiful schoolrooms. The good results of the work thus far done are clearly noticeable, but much remains undone.


Three new schoolhouses have been erected since 1893. These increased the number of sittings, and gave us greatly improved conditions for school work. The new Forest street schoolhouse was occupied at the beginning of the winter term. A cut and description of the building were given in last year's report. The belief expressed in that report that it was well adapted to school purposes has been justified since its occupancy. It was dedicated with appro- priate exercises on the afternoon of April 18.


During the fiscal year the exteriors of the High and Rock schoolhouses were painted. The exteriors of Union street and Nemasket schoolhouses were repaired, and the exteriors and interiors of both buildings painted. The sanitary con- ditions at School street were greatly improved. A fence was built on three sides of the Union street lot, and the grounds directly in front of the schoolhouse were gravelled.


25


Many minor repairs and improvements were made on all the buildings.


Among the needs are the following :


1. More room should be provided for the High School.


2. The halls in Union street and School street school- houses should be heated.


3. The Forest street lot should be fenced on sides adjoin- ing private property, and the grounds put in proper con- dition.


4. Each year one or more rooms should be furnished with adjustable furniture until all are provided for. Seven rooms are now seated with this kind of furniture.


5. The proper heating and ventilation of the suburban buildings should be continued.


6. The two schoolhouses at North Middleboro should be replaced either by two new houses on the lots now occupied, or by a two-room house erected on a new lot at some central point. For the best interests of the schools a two-room building should be built.


7. Better accommodations should be provided for the Soule school.


TEXT-BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.


The total expenditure for text-books and supplies, print- ing and advertising was $1.456 for each child in the average membership,-an increase of $.079 over the preceding year. The cost in the State was $1.54 for each child,- 8.4 cents more than in the town. Secretary Hill in his annual report says that the average for the State is certainly a very reason able one.


26


Efforts are made each year to keep our text-books up to reputable standards, but on account of lack of funds we have not always been wholly successful. We were not able at all times to discard books which, for reason of wear or unclean- ness, had become unfit for use, but had to make them do service for a while longer. This should not be necessary. Surely every child is entitled for aesthetic and hygienic rea- sons to books in such condition that decency does not protest against their use. Secretary Hill in writing on this point says : "There is a stage in the wear of text-books when com- mittees hardly know whether to extort a little longer use for them or not. Is it not so much saved, they inquire, if they are kept in use another year? On the other hand, what about the pupil's interest in his books? What about his wounded aesthetic sense? What about the increasing dan- ger from excessive use? Are there not losses to set over against the money saved ?"


The increase in expenditure for the year was mainly due to larger expenses incurred in the repair of books and the purchase of new ones. As a result, however, the books were in better condition than in former years.


For several years past we have followed the plan of having each pupil who attends the same school for a longer period than one year, use the same text-books for the whole time that their use is prescribed in the courses of study. Here- tofore, at the completion of the work of a grade by a pupil and his admission to another room, he was given another book of the same kind, whenever the same text was used in the next grade. The present plan is not only more econ-


27


omical, but, hygienically, it can not be too strongly recom- mended.


ATTENDANCE.


The total number of pupils enrolled for the year was 1,236-an increase of 57 over the previous year ; the average membership, 1,107-an increase of 62 ; the average daily at- tendance, 1,016-an increase of 57; the percentage of daily attendance to average membership, 91.779-an increase of .009 ; the number of cases of tardiness, 1,165-a decrease of 30 ; and the number of cases of dismissal, 1,107-an increase of 46. The percentage of daily attendance to average mem- bership for the State was 92, or .221 higher than for all the schools in the town. For the central schools, however, the percentage was .94 higher than for the State.


The percentage of attendance should have been higher. While most of the absences were necessary, each year too large a percentage of the irregularity of attendance is due to the indifference or greed of a few parents and the perversity of certain children.


By an act of the Legislature passed in 1898, the local authorities are called upon to determine what constitutes necessary absence. This is a very difficult and delicate duty, for no sharp line can, in all cases, be drawn between necessary and unnecessary absence. We wish to be reason- able in this matter, and if all parents will make every reasonable effort to send their children to school regularly, the intent of the law will be fully met.


Regularity of attendance is important for more reasons than one. It is a school duty, and the school duties should


28


be made the business of the child and all other interests sub- ordinated to these. Childhood and youth are the periods when good habits should be formed, and faithful attendance at school will form the habit of regularity, which is so help- ful in practical life. For the pupil's present and future good, then, for the welfare of the school and the social whole, he should be in school regularly and promptly, unless kept away or detained for the best of reasons.


Irregularity of attendance results not only in intellectual and moral loss, but in financial as well. This is often over- looked. A single illustration will suffice. The number of half day's absence for the year was 32,803. The average cost per day for each child in the total membership was $0.102. The days absent, then, represent a money loss of $1,672.90. This is a fact worthy of careful consideration.


The following table will prove interesting in that it shows the number of pupils enrolled in the schools in November of each of the years named :


Suburban.


1895


Central. 662


337


Total. 999


1896


669


360


1029


1897


686


391


1077


1898


724


389


1113


1899


727


384


1111


1900


781


408


1189


.


The average membership for the years 1895-1900 was as follows: 1895, 974; 1896, 948; 1897, 968; 1898, 1024; 1899, 1045 ; 1900, 1107.


29


TEACHERS.


The number of regular teachers employed was 34, an in- crease of 1 over the preceding year. The resignations dur- ing the year'and at its close were as follows : Miss Elizabeth W. Kenyon, of the High School ; Miss Lizzie B. Lucas, of the Forest street; and Miss Sallie P. Hall, of the School street. Miss Grace Allen, teacher of Latin and French in the High School, was granted by the School Committee, in June, a leave of absence until September, 1901. She is spending the year in Europe studying. Miss Isabelle M. Briggs of this town was appointed in her place.


We were very fortunate that so few teachers resigned dur- ing the year ; for, as a body, our teachers are well qualified, faithful and conscientious, and full of professional zeal and spirit. They are growing in general culture and profes- sionally, and it is to this fact that the increasing efficiency of our schools is mainly due. I wish to place on record this word of appreciation, for too much can not be said in favor of a good teacher or too little in favor of a poor one.


TEACHER IMPROVEMENT.


In any system of schools educational conditions and facili- ties are important, but the teacher is the vital force ; hence, any improvement of the teacher will prove beneficial to the school.


One of the chief duties of a superintendent is the improve- ment of his teachers. If he fails in this, he fails at a vital point. His aim, then, should be so to supervise the work of his teachers, and to instruct, stimulate, and inspire them, as will result in higher qualifications and better work.


30


My work of teacher improvement has been done through (1) conversation with individual teachers; (2) principals' round table ; (3) teachers' meetings-general and grade ; (4) Pedagogical Club; (5) teachers' library ; and, (6) school visitations.


My visits to the schools revealed the help needed which could best be given to teachers individually or collectively at teachers' meetings.


Conversation with individual teachers was productive of much good.


The teachers' meetings were conducted in the same general way as in former years. At the general meetings, besides the part taken by the teachers and addresses by the superin- tendent, formal addresses were delivered by persous from out of town as follows :


November 3, 1899. Concentrated Attention and Memory, and How to Acquire Them,-Miss Catherine Aiken.


February 10, 1900. Practical Applications of the Doctrine of Apperception, - James W. MacDonald.


June 8, 1900. The Making of a Picture,- Walter Sargent. The Pedagogical Club had a very prosperous year.


The teachers' library in the superintendent's office now numbers over 200 volumes. Each year new books are added, and its usefulness is thus enlarged.


Each teacher is allowed two days each year to visit schools out of town. Reports of the visits were given at the grade meetings.


The annual convention of the Plymouth County Teachers' Association was held in this town in October. It was pro- nounced one of the best meetings ever held.


31


Over 40 per cent. of the teachers attended summer schools during the year.


HIGH SCHOOL.


The High School had another prosperous and successful year. The excellent reputation which the school bears in higher institutions of learning to which it has sent students is a just cause for pride. Its usefulness as an institution could be increased by adding a commercial course. Under present conditions, however, it does not seem possible to do this. The school does not have the room which it really needs to carry on the work as at present organized. An additional teacher is very much needed. I do not know of a school in the county with as few teachers that has as many pupils as ours. The town should seriously consider the question of additional accommodations for the school.


Your attention is respectfully called to the report of the principal, and I bespeak for it a careful reading and favor- able action on the recommendations therein contained. (Ex- hibit B.)


SPECIAL PUBLIC AFTERNOONS.


For the second year special public afternoons were held in June. Over 700 persons visited the schools during the week. This was very gratifying and encouraging. The exhibits were very creditable, and showed that good prog- ress had been made.




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