USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1884-1889 > Part 31
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ART. 7. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to defray the expenses of Decoration Day.
ART. 8. Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town ? Vote to be by separate ballot, "Yes," or "No," in answer to the question.
ART. 9. To see what action the Town will take in aid of the Public Library.
ART. 10. To see if the Town will choose a Superintendent of Vine Hills Cemetery.
ART. 11. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of four hundred dollars, as reccommended in the report of the School Committee, for the establishment and support of an evening school.
ART. 12. To hear an act upon the report of the School Com- mittee, together with the Board of Selectmen, concerning plans and estimates and a suitable location for a new High School- house, and make such appropriation for said school-house and
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location as may be necessary to carry the action of the Town into effect.
ART. 13. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to erect an electric light on the corner of Summer and Oak streets.
ART. 14. To see if the Town will authorize the Seleetmen to lay out and sell lots in Chiltonville and Manomet burial grounds.
ART. 15. To see if the Town will instruct the Board of Engineers to locate a hose carriage, with five hundred feet of hose, at Chiltonville, near Hayden's factory, and make an appropriation for the same.
ART. 16. To see if the Town will accept Chapter 361 of the acts of the year 1888, entitled "An act authorizing the Town of Plymouth to establish a system of sewerage."
ART. 17. To see if the Town will establish a system of sewerage and elect some Committee or persons to carry the same into effect.
ART. 18. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to issue bonds, not exceeding thirty thousand dollars, on such terms and for such time as they deem for the interest of the Town, and to provide at the time of issue of said bonds for their annual proportionate payment, as provided in said act.
ART. 19. To see if the Town will elect three persons as a Board of Park Commissioners, and prescribe their terms of office.
ART. 20. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one dollar to purchase about eighty acres of land near
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Billington Sea, being the premises conveyed by Nathaniel Morton to George R. Briggs, by deed January 31, 1889, to be held for the purpose of a public park, under Section 154, Statutes of 1888.
ART. 21. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the establishment and maintenance of an electric light plant for the purpose of lighting the streets, squares and public offices, etc., of the Town, and make the necessary appropriation therefor.
L
Nº 1.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Gridley JF Bryant & ARCH'Ts
Boston Feby 1889.
FRONT
ELEVATION.
Heliotype Printing Co. Boston
PROPOSED HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
Nº 2.
PLYMOUTH MASS.
BOILERS
Foundations
1
2
12-
MINIS
- 3of --
SINK
BOWLS
TOILET. 20 ×21
BOYS ANTE ROOM 27 × 30
GIRLS ANTE ROOM 27 -
TOILET. 20 × 2/
2
4
5
6
smoke
T2 3
5
6
-
ASH PIT.
ASH PIT
HALL
HALL
LABORATORY, OR ÇLAŞŞ ROOM, 25 × 39
Platforma .
STORAGE 6×12
Platform.
JANITOR 6x10
TEACHERS 3) TOILET.
PASSAGE
Foundations.
PLAN OF
BASEMENT,
BRYANT & EATON. ARCHTS.
· SCALE -
012345
15 20 Ft.
Boston, Feb'y 1389.
NOT EXCAVATED
BOILER & FUEL ROOM 15× 53%
Foundations
COCO
LABORATORY 25 x 30
PROPOSED HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
Nº 3.
57.
PLYMOUTH MASS.
(
C
C
45tf - -
21-
4.4 , Zf . 22 ,2 22,25, 22 / 2f .22 .222 ,27. 4.0
ENTRANCE
ENTRANCE
BOYS DRESSING ROOM. 20 × 21
HIGH SCHOOL ROOM. 55 X 66
GIRLS DRESSING ROOM. 20×21.
91
PLATFORM 10 x 24
4'6
STAIRCASE HALL. !! X 45
LIGHT OVER
Down
LIGHT OVER
CLASS ROOM. 25 X 30
Plasjurin
Platform
T
TEACHERS' R= 10 X 12
Down
DORK
+
UP
FLY
DOORS
YESTIBULE
PLAN OF
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+
Line of Lot.
Boston Faby 1989.
. SCALE .
10
BRYANT & EATON, ARCHIS.
6
54f
CLASS ROOM 25 ×30
TEACHERS'R" 10 x 12
PROPOSED HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
Nº 4.
PLYMOUTH MASS.
TRUSS
TRUSS
CONTINUATION OF . HIGH SCHOOL ROOM. 55 X 66
TRUSS
ROOF
ROOF
TEACHERS 15 × 20
TRUSS
HALL
Railing. OPEN' FOR LIGHT.
Railing OPEN FOR LIGHT.
CLASS ROOM 25 X 35
Platform
Platform.
ROOF
DN
D'N
PLATFORM
ROOF.
PLAN OF
2ND FLOOR.
Boston Feby 1889.
· SCALE -
BRYANT & EATON, ARCHTS.
912142
10
15
ZOFF.
SCHOOL COMME 15 X 29
CLASS ROOM 25 X 35
DONIL
ROOF
-
89
Report Concerning Plans and Location for a New High School Building.
At the annual meeting of the Town in 1888, it was voted : - " That the School Committee, together with the Selectmen, be instructed to report at a future meeting of the Town, plans and estimates and a suitable location for a new High School-house."
The Boards of School Committee, and Selectmen, acting jointly, respectfully submit the following report :
The first step taken by the Boards was to consider the various sites in the Town available for the proposed purpose, with the view of coming to a decision upon a suitable location before considering plans, the character of which would depend largely upon the site to which they must be adapted.
Six or seven estates were inspected, their environment taken into consideration, their sanitary conditions investigated ; and the question was considered how far each would not only meet the requirements of a High School, but also be acceptable to the people of the Town. From an economical point of view, the Boards also kept in mind the expediency of selecting a situation which would to the least degree diminish the taxable property of the Town. After a full and thorough examination of the whole subject, the Boards, though at first divided in opinion, came unanimously to the conclusion to recommend to the Town, as a suitable location, the site of the present High School building, with the two estates separating it from Jefferson Street on the north. These estates can be secured at a cost not exceeding six thousand dollars. A refusal
6
90
of the estate on the corner of Jefferson Street. owned by Mr. Charles E. Barnes, for three thousand dollars, has been obtained, while the estate adjoining it. owned by the heirs of James Kendrick. is so held that it can only be secured under the law relating to land taken for school purposes. Six thousand dollars will certainly cover the cost of both estates. The dimensions of the entire lot are 114 feet on the front. and 130 feet on the sides.
Having agreed on a location, the Boards obtained from Bryant & Eaton, architects, of Boston. plans adapted to its size and shape. which, after some changes and modifications made both with the view of reducing the cost of the building, and of more completely meeting the requirements of the school. the Boards have unani- mously voted to recommend to the Town. It has been taken for granted that it would be the wish of the Town, if a building should be erected, that it should not be devoid of reasonable architectural beauty. and that its interior arrangements should satisfy the wants, not only of to-day, but for many years to come. and be thoroughly adapted to the best management of the school. Heliotype repre- sentations of these plans accompany this report.
No. 1 represents the front elevation of a building, constructed of wood. 102 feet wide and 44 feet high up to the cornice. Each end of the building projects 6 feet beyond the face. and in the centre a vestibule 18 feet wide, built of brick, projects 20 feet. giving room for outside doors and interior swinging doors. together with five steps rising to a landing, from which nine steps more lead to the first floor. The basement above the stone foun- dation is of brick. with stone window caps and sills. The front above the basement shows a combination of shingles and clapboards, the dotted marks representing the former and the horizontal lines the latter. Four steps on the outside lead to the floor of the vestibule. from which the sill of the outer door rises. The extreme depth of the building, including the school-room in the rear, which may be seen in plan No. 3, and also including the vestibule and front steps. is 120 feet.
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No. 2 represents the basement floor, three feet below the level of the ground at the front, with walls 113 feet in the clear. On this floor, which is to be concreted throughout, are two labora- tories-one in each corner-25 feet by 30 each ; one lavatory on the south for boys and one on the north for girls, each with six water closets, the former with six urinals, and each 19 feet by 20. Besides these there is a play room adjoining the boys' lavatory, 27 feet by 30 ; a boiler room with two boilers ; a janitor's room and a teacher's lavatory, containing two water closets. Each laboratory has a fireplace in the central corner. Some expense is saved by omitting the excavation for a cellar under the extreme rear of the school-room.
No. 3 represents the first floor, which is reached by the flight of nine steps already referred to in the central hall, on each side of which is a flight leading to the basement. The width of the hall is 18 feet, and the width of the crosswise hall, from which doors open into the school-room, is, at its narrowest point where the recess for the teacher's platform encroaches on it, 10 feet. On this floor are two class rooms, 25 feet by 30, and 12 feet high in the clear, in the central corner of each of which is a fireplace. There are also two dressing rooms, 19} feet by 20, in the rear of the class rooms, accessible directly from the school-room and the hall; and two teachers' rooms, each 10 feet by 12. The school-room is on the level of this floor, and is thus brought above the ground, which has a considerable rise from front to rear. This room is 66 feet deep and 55 feet wide, and has a teacher's platform 10 feet deep and 20 feet long, with a space between the platform and the front row of desks, 6 feet wide. The floor space can accommodate two hundred and four single desks in twelve rows, with seventeen in each row, the rows being 22 inches apart, with a central aisle 4 feet wide ; side aisles next the walls 4 feet, 4 inches wide ; and a rear aisle 4 feet, 6 inches wide. A fireplace at each central corner enters the chimney, which is entered by the fireplace of the corresponding class room. The walls are to be ceiled to a height of 3 feet from the floor, and above the ceiling are blackboards 4} feet
f
92
in width. There are five windows on each side. six in the rear, and two on each side in the slope of the roof, into which the room extends, with two open timber trusses running across and inter- lacing each other. If desired, a gallery can be introduced over the platform opening from the second floor; but such a feature is not included in the specifications and estimates. The height of the room is 25 feet on the sides and 34 feet in the centre. In the angle of the projection of the main building beyond the school-room, on each side, is an outside door .- one on Franklin Street and the other on Jefferson Street, opening into the dressing rooms, which in cold weather can be exclusively used. while the front door, with a northern exposure, can be closed.
No. 4 represents the second floor, with two class rooms 25 feet by 34; a teacher's room and School Committee room on the south and north, in the rear of the class rooms, each 16 feet by 19g. Here also are fireplaces in the central corners of the rooms. The height of this story is 13 feet in the clear, and the floor is reached by two return flights of steps, one on each side of the main central flight in the main hall.
The specifications for such a building as is here described have been carefully prepared, calling for the best material and work, including plumbing, drains, steam heating apparatus of the most approved quality, a satisfactory system of ventilation, and every- thing, except furniture, needed for a first class High School building, and have been submitted to a competent mechanic for examination, from whom estimates have been obtained. The Boards are warranted in saying to the Town that the sum of $30,000 will. in their judgment, cover the cost of the building.
The Boards have obtained from the architects other estimates varying with the material and method of construction. For a building with the first story of the main building in brick, with stone window caps and sills, as in the basement, and the rear school-room in wood, the estimated cost is $39,000; for a main building constructed entirely of brick, with stone window caps and
93
sills, and the rear of wood, $40,500; for an entire brick building. including the rear building, $42,300.
In conclusion, the Boards beg leave to say that in the perform- ance of their duties. they have endeavored to faithfully carry out their instructions, and they respectfully submit their report to the consideration of the Town.
WILLIAM H. NELSON,
WILLIAM T. DAVIS, LEAVITT T. ROBBINS. EVERETT F. SHERMAN, JOHN CHURCHILL.
Selectmen.
WILLIAM T. DAVIS,
JAMES MILLAR.
CHARLES I. LITCHFIELD,
School Committee.
ELIZABETH THURBER,
CHARLES O. CHURCHILL,
PLYMOUTH, February 5, 1889.
1
1
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
- AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE-
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
-- FOR --
1888.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
TERM EXPIRES.
WILLIAM T. DAVIS, 1891
CHARLES O. CHURCHILL, 1890
ELIZABETH THURBER, 1890
JAMES MILLAR, 1889
CHARLES I. LITCHFIELD,
1889
CHAIRMAN pro tem.,-WM. T. DAVIS. SECRETARY-ELIZABETH THURBER.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS-CHARLES BURTON.
At the annual meeting elections must be held for two members of the Committee for three years, and one for the unexpired term. of two years, of Frederick N. Knapp deceased.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The School Committee respectfully submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1888.
At the annual meeting of the Town, in 1888, appro- priations were made :-
For-
Support of schools, books and supplies. ... $23,800 00 Enlargement of the Grammar School-house
at Chiltonville, and the Sub-Primary school-house on Oak Street. 1,000 00
In addition to the above the School Depart- ment has been credited during the year with the following items :---
Undrawn balance of 1887 887 95
School fund, income from the State 82 88
One-half of fence . 17 40
Income of the Murdock fund 18 25
Total credits. $25,806 48 The amount of bills paid during the year, has been . .
25,943 65
Leaving a deficiency of $137 17
)
98
The classified expenses have been as follows :-
Salaries of teachers.
For- $16,832 50
Books and supplies
1,505 36
Fuel. :
1,137 12
Janitors and care of school-rooms
1,133 55
Superintendent
1,200 00
Music teacher, including horse
750 00
Horse hire. 153 25
Truant officers 75 00
Furniture. 279 52
Repairs, including enlargement of houses
1,864 41
Express
47 35
Transportation, etc., of scholars
168 37
Cash paid the Town of Bourne for school- ing 151 52
Gas and water
23 50
Printing
126 36
Care of out-houses
63 00
Binding books.
73 85
Expenses of High School exhibition
38 62
Tuning piano
4 00
Evening school
261 23
Travelling expenses
15 33
Sundries 39 81
$25,943 65
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The Committee recommend for the support and super- intendence of schools and the purchase of books and sup- plies, the same appropriation as that of last year, $23,800. As unusual repairs will be required during the present year they recommend, in addition, an appro- priation of $1,000 for repairs, and for the improvement of school-house grounds. They do not recommend any appropriation to meet the deficiency of last year as, in their opinion, the above appropriations will be sufficient to meet the deficiency as well as the expenses of the year.
The Evening School, for which no appropriation was made last year, the Committee recommend be resumed during the present school-year and that the sum of $400 be appropriated for its support. At the annual meeting in 1887, an appropriation of $300 was made for this school and it was maintained during the Winter of 1887 and 1888, tosuch advantage that its re-establishment seems desirable. It not only forms in itself a useful adjunct to the school system, but it meets requirements in the laws relating to the employment of illiterates in our factories, which can be met in no other way.
The Committee have no new statement of importance to make to the Town concerning the condition of the schools. During the year the increasing number of pupils at Ellisville, not only warranted, but rendered necessary, the establishment of a school in the school- house in that neighborhood which had been for some time out of use.
During the Spring term the sub-Primary school at Seaside became so crowded that temporary arrangements
100
with an additional teacher became necessary, but were abandoned on the redistribution of scholars at the begin- ning of the Fall term. There are now thirty-three schools in the town, each with one teacher, except the High School which is conducted by a Principal and four assistants. These schools with their location, and the names of their teachers, together with their salaries, will be found in the report of the Superintendent. In justice to teachers of schools of the lower grades, the salaries of most of them have been raised, during the year, to a point more closely approximating to that which their expenses of living and their fidelity as servitors of the Town demanded. During the year, Mr. Seth S. Crocker, who has for a number of years been the efficient and successful teacher of the Mt. Pleasant Grammar School, resigned his position and has been succeeded by Mr. John W. Herrick, who has proved himself to be a compe- tent and faithful instructor.
The Committee have no suggestions to offer with regard to the introduction of new studies in the schools. Indeed. it is becoming a serious question whether the increasing number of studies, which modern educational ideas have favored, has really promoted the usefulness of our school system. The allowance of time assigned to each study has been so limited in the division of school hours rendered necessary by a too extended curriculum as to be insufficient for thorough and useful school work. A small garden, well tilled, is a proverb as applicable to methods of education as to other fields of labor, and too many irons in the fire are as obstructive to he tattain-
101
ment of knowledge as to solid success in the occupations of life.
The Committee do not propose to enlarge on the reform in our educational system, here hinted at, nor have they as yet any well settled and definite opinions on the subject. They wish merely to disclose to the Town the current of their thought which may lead to the adop- tion of some plan which shall limit the extent of study but at the same time make it more thorough and practi- cal.
With regard to the necessity of a new High School House which the Committee have repeatedly represented to the Town in their annual reports, they wish to say that they are more than ever impressed with its urgency. The defects of the present building are almost too num- erous to mention. The seating capacity of the school- room is insufficient, and as our Town increases in popula- tion this insufficiency is becoming yearly more marked. And even if the capacity of the floor were sufficient for all the desks required, the low ceiling of the room brings the cubic measure of air space far below that which the demands of health require. The class-rooms are poorly arranged and their defective ventilation, like that of the school-room, cannot be thoroughly remedied by any methods of which the building is susceptible, or even partially, by any economical expenditure of money. The house is warmed by nine stoves, and even these are insuf- ficient in the coldest weather to raise the temperature of the various rooms to a degree of heat conducive to com- fort and a close application to study. Aside from these
102
defects, the building is an old one nearly ninety years of age, constantly needing repairs and during the coming year if it should be kept in use the high flight of steps along the front must, at considerable expense, be re- newed. Those of the Committee who have inspected the High School-houses of other towns, in the perform- ance of their duties as members of the joint Committee instructed by the Town to report a suitable plan and loca- tion for a new structure, have been especially impressed with the mortifying conditions under which the High School work of Plymouth is performed, and feel that for the credit of the Town, a new building should be erected which in its architectural beauty shall stand as an em- blem of our regard for the cause of education, and in its commodious arrangement shall enable faithful teachers to perform faithful work.
Rev. Frederick N. Knapp, the late Chairman of the Committee, to whose fidelity to educational interests and enthusiasm in the performance of every good work for their promotion the Committee wish to bear witness, held no public measure nearer to his heart than that which the Committee now urge upon the Town. As a memo- rial of our departed friend whom we all loved and hon- ored, let us secure its early consummation.
WM. T. DAVIS, JAMES MILLAR, School
CHARLES I. LITCHFIELD,
ELIZABETH THURBER, Committee.
CHARLES O. CHURCHILL,
PLYMOUTH, Feb. 4, 1889.
103
At a meeting held on the evening of January 29th. the School Committee, desiring to express their appreci- ation of the valuable life and labor of their late Chair- man, Rev. Frederick N. Knapp, passed the following resolutions :--
Resolved :- That the service rendered by Mr. Knapp, to the cause of education, by many years of earnest work for the elevation and usefulness of our common schools, has been of inestimable value, and his sudden death leaves a vacancy that cannot easily be filled.
Resolved :- That not only in the department to which by general approval, he was repeatedly chosen, but in the many public meas- ures to which his attention was called, his clear perception of duty directed him, and a conscientious support of worthy objects was readily given.
Resolved :- That with feelings of deep sorrow at the loss of Mr. Knapp as associate, citizen and friend, we tender our sincere sympa- thy to his family, conscious that the memory of his many virtues will become a bright spot in this cloud of affliction.
Resolved :- That these resolutions be entered in the Records of the School Board, and that the Secretary send a copy to the family of Mr. Knapp.
104
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH :
In accordance with your rules, I would herewith re- spectfully submit my annual report on the character and progress of the schools under your charge :
It is impossible to avoid what may appear to be repe- tition of the report of the year preceding this, in speak- ing of the growing improvement in the principles and methods of instruction, and of the increasing interest of the teachers in whatever concerns the welfare and pro- gress of the schools under their care ; and also, of their cordial co-operation in all suggestions tending to practical benefit and efficiency in the modes of presenting the various branches of school work. All that was true one year ago is true now, while the rate of improvement is not dimini shed; and is, we hope, appreciated in the pub- lic mind.
The reading of professional literature practised by many of our teachers is of much benefit to them. The art of teaching is now so thoroughly discussed in our periodical school publications that professional reading on the subject is easy of access and full of interest to
105
educators. It helps them in many ways. It conveys to them intelligence of the progress made in different parts of our own and in foreign countries, as well as in their own immediate neighborhood, and enlarges their ideas of the importance and nobility of their work. It makes them familiar with the improvements which the demands of the age require, and inspires them to efforts to do all that can be done for their pupils. The knowledge of what is attained by others, which is gained by this course of reading, creates enthusiasm and inspiration in the teacher, and no teacher can be successful without them.
The practice of visiting schools, which, according to our regulations, every teacher is permitted once a month to do, and of which many of them avail themselves, is a very beneficial arrangement. It gives opportunity to each teacher for observing whatever of excellence may be adopted, and whatever of doubtful utility may be avoided in his or her own practice, thus securing a gen- eral improvement in the schools.
High School.
The course of study in our High School is attracting at the present time unusual attention. Many persons, who are of the opinion that there are too many branches of study imposed upon the scholars, are desirous to have the programme simplified, so that more time may be given to what they consider the more practical department of the school, and thereby to obtain a better scholarship in the English branches. This suggested change would, un- doubtedly, bring about the desired result ; but the wants
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