USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1897-1899 > Part 52
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It was stipulated in detailed specifications that the entire terri- tory of the town be platted on a scale of 80 feet to the inch for the thickly settled portions of the town and 160 feet to the inch for the sparsely settled portions, showing boundaries, measure- ments, areas, and numbers for each lot with a separate proprietor- ship, using the best means and instruments to insure accuracy. There was also to be delineated all streets, railroad locations, squares, parks, ponds, lakes, streams, public buildings and churches. A large index map of the town was to be furnished. The plats and maps were to be in triplicate, first on brass-bound, patented, draughting sheets in tints, 24 by 36 inches ; second, a set of copies on tracing cloth, for future duplication; third, a set of blue prints on Linaura for working use.
Each plat was to be accompanied with index cards containing owner's name, street location. corresponding number, date of last deed of acquisition, and book and page of the deed's record. The work and materials were to be subject to the inspection of an expert engineer in behalf of the town. Mr. George M. Tompson of the committee, a professional engineer, was engaged
211
as inspector and carefully examined and tested field work and plottings, and no payments under the contract were made without his approval. It was found that forty-one plats were required to include all the territory of the town.
It is believed the engineers have in good faith performed their contract according to the specifications, and that the town has substantially accurate plans of its territory, from which the asses- sors can better apportion and equalize taxation.
The committee are glad to say they have kept the outlay within the appropriation, as appears by the following statement :
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Appropriation authorized
. $3,000 00
Received of Shedd & Sarle for rent of room 153 33
$3,153 33
Expended :
Shedd & Sarle, as per contract
. $2,960 00
66 extras
11 10
G. M. Staples, typewriting specifications .
5 60
Middlesex Traders, rent of room
77 50
Roger Howard, oak cabinet
70 00
Committee, for stationery, postage, etc. .
3 30
Balance of appropriation unexpended
25 83
$3,153 33 CHESTER W. EATON, Chairman, ALBERT R. PERKINS, Secretary, RICHARD S. STOUT, GEORGE M. TOMPSON,
Committee.
NOTE - Mr. Tompson rendered professional and valuable services as inspector, in connection with the survey and plans, without charge to the town, and the other members of the committee think this fact should be made known, in order that citizens may accord due recognition of his generous public spirit.
Mr. Donald M. Houston, of this committee, being absent from th state, does not sign this report.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
-OF THE
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD,
-FOR THE- -
YEAR ENDING JAN. 31, 1899. .
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1898-99.
Ashton H. Thayer, Chairman, Greenwood, Term expires, 1901 Mrs. Ida F. Carlisle, Sec'y, 9 Summit Ave., 1901 Selim S. White, 34 Chestnut Street, 66 66 1899 .
Miss E. M. Greenwood, 4 Lafayette Street, 66 1899
William B. Daniel, 9 Pearl Street, .
66 1900
Melvin J. Hill, West Chestnut Street,
66 66 1900
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Charles E. Hussey, 12 Wave Avenue.
WAKEFIELD, MASS. : A. W. BROWNELL, PRINTER. 1899.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD.
ASHTON H. THAYER,
Chairman.
MRS. IDA F. CARLISLE, ·
. . Secretary.
WM. B. DANIEL,
Treasurer.
SUB=COMMITTEES.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
MRS. CARLISLE, WM. B. DANIEL,
S. S. WHITE.
COURSE OF STUDY.
M. J. HILL,
MISS GREENWOOD,
MRS. CARLISLE.
TEACHERS AND SALARIES.
A. H. THAYER,
MISS GREENWOOD,
S. S. WHITE.
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
S. S. WHITE,
M. J. HILL,
MISS GREENWOOD.
MUSIC, DRAWING AND CALISTHENICS.
MISS GREENWOOD,
W. B. DANIEL,
A. H. THAYER.
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
W. B. DANIEL, A. H. THAYER, MRS. CARLISLE.
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS.
W. B. DANIEL, M. J. HILL, MRS. CARLISLE.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
ALVIN L. VANNAH, RUFUS F. DRAPER.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. CHARLES E. HUSSEY.
OFFICE HOURS.
Tuesdays and Fridays, 4 to 5 p. m., at School Committee Rooms, Flanley Block.
MEETINGS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Third Friday evening of each month at 7.45 p. m., at School Committee Rooms.
215
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF WAKEFIELD :- -
The School Committee respectfully submit their annual report.
The past year has been a memorable one in the history of our country. The long standing trouble with Spain culminated in war, and in April '98, as in April '61, our "gallant sixth" were among the very first to respond to the President's call.
Superintendent Hussey being Sergeant-Major of the regiment, was granted a leave of absence and Mr. C. H. Howe, principal of the High School was made super- intendent ad interim. The call for the regiment had come rather suddenly, and much work which comes at that time of the year was necessarily left undone by Mr. Hussey, but Mr. Howe put his shoulder to the wheel with a will and from then until Mr. Hussey's return in August he did effi- cient service. The work, being in addition to his duties as principal of the high school, was arduous and he was not sorry to be relieved.
The condition of the schools is, on the whole, satisfactory as to work done, though the crowded condition of the Lincoln School and the Franklin Street district is far from satisfactory. Some relief will be afforded upon com- pletion of the new school house at the North Ward. Owing to increased membership in the High School it became neces- sary to give up the entire building to that school, and as only part of the ninth grade could be accommodated in the Lincoln building a school of that grade was estab-
216
lished at the Warren School with Miss M. A. Warren in charge.
Methods of teaching, the question as to whether graded or mixed schools are best, as well as various other matters in school work will probably always be open questions, but while it is being demonstrated by those in charge that this or that method is best, there is no question at the present time but what good teachers are an absolute necessity if satisfactory results are expected. They should be not only good, but excellent, mentally, morally and physically ; such teachers are not always easily retained, because some other town or city which can pay higher salaries simply says "come" and in most cases the response is an immediate acceptance. In our opinion it is emphatically wrong for school officials to take teachers from another town during the school year without the consent of the committee where such teachers may be employed. We have lost four good teachers during the past year who resigned to accept more lucrative positions. We do not blame the teachers; the fault is elsewhere. We are aware that this is a repetition of our expressed opinions for several years past, but there is need of iteration and reiteration. The trouble is serious and general, and the only satisfactory remedy would seem to be in some action by the State.
SCHOOL EXPENSES.
The question of school expenses is both interesting and important ; interesting because it touches us all in a very sensitive spot-our pocket book-and important because the support of the schools calls for the largest appropri- ation which a town is called upon to make. For this reason those who look at the matter superficially claim that committees are extravagant in their expenditures. School boards certainly are not infallible any more than some of their critics, but without admitting or denying such
217
charges we would respectfully ask for a careful consider- ation of the following tables. The various amounts in these tables are actual net expenditures. 1
Expenses do increase, and must, from year to year. As the town grows school accommodations must be provided, new buildings erected or old ones enlarged. Referring to the first table it will be seen that the greatest increase has been for teachers, janitors and fuel. The total number of teachers employed at present is fifty, including special teachers. With the introduction of boilers and large furnaces for heating, as required by the State, the consumption of coal is necessarily large, and this in turn calls for extra work by janitors and a corresponding increase in expense. The increase for incidental or "contingent"' expenses, and the increase in cost of books and supplies since their intro- duction has been comparatively slight. For several years past the buildings have been repaired and painted out of the regular appropriations, the only exception being in the case of the high school building the past year. Free books and supplies were made obligatory in 1884. Since 1887 military drill has been a part of the curriculum of the high school. For the past five years a special teacher of drawing and a superintendent of schools has been employed, and notwithstanding all these, what is shown by this table? The per cent. of valuation appropriated in '97 was less than the average for the past twenty years. The average for the past five years is less than the five preceeding years, and the average for the five years previous to that was still greater. In 1897 books and supplies, based upon the aver- age membership, cost one dollar and forty cents and a fraction per pupil. In 1888, ten years earlier, they cost one dollar and thirty-five cents and a fraction. In 1884, the first year they were purchased by the town, they cost a little over two dollars and seventy-nine cents per pupil.
The average per cent. of the valuation appropriated for
218
schools for the twenty years shown on this table is four and sixty-six one-hundredths mills (004.66), and the amount appropriated in 1897 was four and sixty-two one- hundredths mills (004.62) while the total cost per pupil for 1897, based upon the average membership, was $20.93 ; this includes cost of supervision, teaching, fuel, janitors, books and supplies and repairs, but still we hear complaints of this expense, and from people who will send their children to some private school at an annual expense of several hundred dollars.
TABLE I.
Teachers and Super- vision.
Jan- itors.
Fuel.
Contin- gent.
Books and Supplies
Mili- tary.
Total amount Ex- pended.
Valua- tion.
Per cent. of valu- ation appr.
Aver- age mem- ber- ship.
1878 $10,654 59
$763 25
$636 21
$1,262 34
$13,316 39
$3,799,651 003.50
1879
9,220 31
664 00
742 64
1,081 00
11,707 95
3,516,390 003.32
1880
9,980 64
696 34
861 15
1,732 20
13,270 33
3,480,515 003.81
1881
10,669 07
706 75
886 20
1,301 42
13,563 44
3,433,456 004.24
859.11
1882
11,583 32
701 67
864 27
2,469 06
15,617 32
3,426,434 004.84
924.6
1883
13,833 19
808 75
1,082 30
3,674 08
19,398 32
3,459,906 005.61 1010.5
1884
14,037 49
1,031 45
1,067 39
2,095 59
$2,814 44
21,096 36
3,541,772 005.95 1008.
1885
14,436 20
950 02
1,024 72
1,616 59
1,616 19
19,643 72
3,726,800 005.27 1055.9
1886
14,713 53
954 00
844 11
1,459 65
1,181 73
19,153 04
3,906,505 004.90 1059.2
1887
14,947 59
965 00
1,205 66
1,562 95
1,182 45 $17 75
19,881 40
4,112,825 004.83 1125.1
1888
15,400 93
899 00
1,153 20
1,296 55
1,374 22
37 25
20,161 15
4,299,665 004.68 1016.78
1889
14,350 00
963 75
1,290 90
1,224 38
1,313 20
32 30
19,477 73
4,482,545 004.56 1016.26
1890
16,646 75
838 25
1,087 45
1,799 64
1,271 37
114 00
21,757 46
4,623,365 004.70 1056.39
1891
17,286 73
1,077 50
1,157 26
1,536 71
1,300 84 130 75
22,489 79
4,723,785
004.76 1195.11
1892
17,490 82
1,514 50
2,469 74
1,694 60
2,141 70 117 25
25,428 61
5,002,495
005.08 1288.60
1893
18,070 20
1,547 50
1,976 32
1,209 68
1,207 91 137 50
24,149 11
5,607,220 004.30 1292.00
1894
20,161 25
1,525 67
1,786 67
1,063 22
1,810 48 142 00
26,489 29
5,817,085
004.55
1375.14
1895
21,223 27
1,570 00
1,730 87
2,515 76
1,805 40 154 50
28,999 80
6,189,075
004.68 1499.1
1896
23,024 68
1.784 50
2,165 37
2,871 74
1,998 12 206 25
32,050 66
6,338,570
005.05
1605.5.
1897
24,160 03
2,026 87
2,315 64
2,575 06
2,244 59 131 30
33,453 49
7,231,705 004.62
1597.7
1898
1662.
219
The second table is compiled from the report of the State Board of Education for 1896-7. These towns were taken at random without knowing their relative standing as com- pared with Wakefield, and the table was drawn up simply for comparison.
TABLE II.
Popula- tion, Census of 1895.
Valua- tion, 1896.
Per ct.| of Valua- tion.
No. of Schools.
Average Member- ship.
No. of Teachers
Sun ap- propriat'd for each child.
Arlington.
6,515
$7,851,663
003.42
26
1176
37
$22 83.4
Belmont.
2,843
4,125,095
002.72
12
446
15
25 20.2
Brookline
16,164
60,996,800
001.69
76
2635
110
39 18.4
Beverly
11,806
14,172,500
002.12
48
1848
53
16 30.2
Concord
5,175
3,862,772
004.71
13
771
27
23 62.9
Gloucester.
28,211
15,522,384
004.00
89
3929
113
15 82.3
Melrose
11,965
11,434,165
003.69
53
2154
57
19 58.9
Milton.
5,518
19,054,000
002.00
35
1015
47
37 54.8
Natick.
8,814
5,617,085
004.96
37
1650
48
16 89.7
Reading.
4,717
3,898,377
003.73
18
782
23
18 76.2
Revere.
7,423
7,886,200
004.96
37
1650
48
16 89.7
Stoneham
6,284
4,762,485
003.63
25
962
29
17 98.3
Winchester
6,150
7,017,160
003.63
27
1289
36
19 79.9
Woburn
14,178
9,763,967
004.56
54
2438
62
18 27.3
Waltham
20,876
18,563,432
003.67
60
2536
80
26 90.3
Watertown
7,788
9,355,430
002.85
25
990
37
26 95.9
Wakefield
8,304
6,338,570
004.05
33
1606
42
15 99
After carefully considering the above tables, we leave it to the sober judgment of the town to decide whether or not our school system is extravagantly expensive or whether a total average cost of $20.93 per pupil is un- reasonably high.
DRAWING.
This has now been systematically taught for five years past by Miss Annie B. Parker of Reading, but previous to
220
last June the public had but a faint idea of what was being done in this line of work. The exhibition given in Flanley's hall in June last, was a revelation. The first exhibit given in '95 showed practically the beginning of the work. Both were interesting, but the second unquestionably awoke a livelier interest on the part of our townspeople from the fact that the advance made in the work was evident at a glance, and gave the public a better idea, not only of the work in drawing, but of the scope and quality of school work in general, than could be gained in almost any other way. Such exhibitions are instructive to pupils as well as to others. During the past year brush and color work have been in- troduced in the lower grades which has increased the interest of the pupils and will undoubtedly result in the next exhibit being even more pleasing and instructive than the last.
MANUAL TRAINING AND SEWING.
These two branches of instruction being just introduced we can say but little about them except from what we have seen in other places. It seems hardly credible that the criticisms of the school committee for introducing the above studies could come from reasonable, thinking men, or from those who had given any thought to, or who had made any in- vestigation of, the matter. A former chairman of the school committee in his report twelve years ago well says : "Regarding manual training there is no reason why, if a boy has a taste for mechanics, he should not be allowed to culti- vate that taste and receive instruction in the public schools, as well as a boy who expects to become a physician or a lawyer should be instructed in the Latin language." This is equally true of sewing for girls.
The cost of these studies is comparatively small. The stock for manual training costing about forty cents per
221
pupil per year, and the aggregate cost for sewing material being about twenty-five dollars for one year.
SCHOOL, ACCOMMODATIONS.
There is no end to the call for increased school accommo- dations. At the present time there are nearly six hundred pupils in the Lincoln building. There will be some relief upon the completion of the new North Ward school house, but there must shortly be increased accommodation for the Centre and Junction districts. This could be obtained either by finishing some rooms in the attic or by building a wing on the northeast corner of the Lincoln building or by erecting a new building at the Junction.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The present membership of the school is 196. The mem- bership next September, Mr. Howe estimates, is likely to be 225 or more, and "the time does not seem far distant," he says, "when more recitation rooms will be necessary." Quoting further from his report to Supt. Hussey he says : "The work of the school, in general, has never, under the present administration, been in more hopeful condition. Despite all the disadvantages incident to rapid growth and frequent changes of teachers, the college idea seems to have gained strength ; of last year's class, nine entered higher institu- tions, and one, after an experience as a country school master, has returned to school as a post graduate and is reviewing preparatory to entering Harvard the coming fall. From among the graduates of the last three years the school has three representatives at Amherst, three at Dartmouth, four at the Boston University, one at Tufts, two at Salem Normal and one at Boston Normal Art School."
The following diagram prepared by Mr. Howe, gives at a glance, a comprehensive view of the growth of the school for the past twenty years, the lower line showing the average attendance for the same time. Another chart drawn too late
222
for insertion in this report, showing the cost per pupil illus- trates how, as the school increases in membership, the cost per pupil decreases and vice versa. They are interesting
99
72
78
06
96
901
8/
124
130
130
142
99/
bb.
'98
Lb.
93.
sb, tib.
26,
16,
'89 '90
88
18.
98
'85
84
83
28,
18.
1880
and instructive diagrams.
d: 4 5 x2 quales
66-0881
223
In response to the committee's recommendation in last year's report the town appointed a committee consisting of Mr. F. O. Clark, Mr. Geo. H. Teague and Maj. Geo. H. Taylor to superintend the repairs on and about the High school building. Owing to Maj. Taylor's military duties he was unable to attend to this work and the chairman of the school committee was chosen by the selectmen and repair committee, in his place. The underpinning and steps were thoroughly overhauled and repaired, the building repainted and several of the class rooms, walls and ceilings, were tint- ed and the decayed fancy work about the roof was removed, the whole adding materially to the condition and appearance of the building.
With the present year Mr. S. S. White closes a term of eighteen years' service for the public schools. Few men are better fitted for this work than Mr. White, and he has been a valuable member of the board. Owing to his business en- gagements it is impossible for him longer to attend to the duties of school committee. His resignation, received some weeks since, was accepted with a vote of regret, and of appreciation for his past services.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
The receipts and appropriations for schools for the year ending Feb. 1st, 1899, were as follows :
General expenses, appropriation, . $29,950 00
Received for tuition, 647 50
Total,
. $30,597 50
Paid teachers and sup't of schools, . $25,677 91
janitors,
2,018 50 .
Melrose for tuition, . for fuel, .
:330 00
2,378 68
$30,405 09
Balance unexpended,
$192 41
224
Appropriation for books and supplies,
Expended,
. $2,500 00 . 2,430 09
Balance unexpended, $69 91
Appropriation for incidentals, .
$2,250 00
Expended,
2,015 62
Balance unexpended,.
$234 38
The estimates of the committee for the ensuing year are as follows :
General, for superintendent, teachers, janitors and
fuel, . $32,000 00
Books and supplies,
2,500 00 . Incidentals,
. 2,250 00
Total,
. $36,750 00
- and we respectfully recommend the above appropriations.
1
A. H. THAYER, Chairman ;
MRS. I. F. CARLISLE, Secretary ;
MR. M. J. HILL, MR. WM. B. DANIEL,
MISS E. M. GREENWOOD,
School Committee.
225
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :--
My sixth annual report as Superintendent of the schools of Wakefield is herewith respectfully submitted.
Schools have been in session for forty weeks beginning Sept. 9, 1898, closing June 29, 1898. The usual vacations of one week were allowed at Christmas and in April.
With this year closes the present custom of beginning the school registers in February. Until now the school census has been taken in May. Hereafter it will be taken in October on blanks issued by the State. Promotion and yearly enrollment of pupils will both take place in Septem- ber. This will simplify the records and insure greater accuracy and similarity. Other features which the State Board of Education have decided upon will materially assist in the comparison of the school statistics of all the towns of the Commonwealth.
It would seem a good plan to begin the fiscal year at the same date, Sept. 1.
STATISTICS.
It is hoped that the following table giving certain facts as to the school census, enrollment, and attendance for the year will not be overlooked. The number of children of school age in town in May, 1897, was fifteen hundred and sixty-three (1563), and in 1898 there were sixteen hundred and twenty (1620), an increase of fifty-seven (57) children. The total enrollment for the year has been nineteen hundred and ninty-nine (1999) ; this includes every pupil who has been a member of any school in Wakefield from Feb., 1898, to Feb., 1899. As a basis for comparison it is not entirely
226
satisfactory or reliable on account of its variableness, depending on the yearly local business prosperity. The average number belonging, and the average daily attendance are better standards for calculation of any kind.
In the appendix is a special table referring to the high school for the past six years. The increase in the enroll- ment of this school has been remarkable, and the improve- ment in scholarship and other lines is no less worthy of mention.
STATISTICS.
Population, census of 1880, 5547
66
" 1890, 6982
66
66 " 1895, 8304
According to the school census the number of children in town between five and fifteen years on May 1, was as follows :
1891,
. 1223
1892,
1336
1893, ·
. ৳
1341
1894,
1433
1895,
1501
1896,
1563
1897,
1898, males 797, females 823, total,
.
1620
Number not in school for various reasons,
Number between 8 and 14 years,
909
Length of school year,
40 weeks
Days lost-stormy weather, holidays, etc., . 8₺ days
Actual length of whole year,
38.3 weeks
ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE.
Total enrollment of pupils in May,
1619
66 66 " October,
1713
Average number belonging " May,
66
" October,
1687.7
66
" year,
1662
daily attendance for year, ·
. 1545
Per cent. of attendance for year, .
92.7
1584.7
137
1249
227
1
ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE.
Total Enrollment
Average Mem- bership.
Average Attendance
Percentage of Attendance
From
Feb., 1893, to Feb., 1894.
1,570
1,292
1,196
92.6
From
1894,
1895
1,680
1,375
1,285
93.5
From
1895, 66 1896
1,882
1,499
1,405
92.7
From
66
1886, 66
1887
1,863
1,606
1,481
91.8
From
66
1897,
1898
1,893
1,598
1,497
93.5
From
6.6
1898,
1899
1,999
1,662
1,545
92.7
Increase during year in total enrollment,
106
66
66 66 average membership, . ·
64
66
66
average attendance,
48
Average percentage of attendance for six years,
92.8
Resignations :
Grace M. Stevens,
High,
June.
Ethel E. Williams,
High,
June.
Susanne E. Goddard,
High, .*
June.
Grace M. Dennison,
Lincoln,
June.
Rebecca O'Connell,
West Ward,
June.
Mary J. Hills,
Hamilton,
September.
Carrie L. Mason,
Lincoln,
October.
Blanche Burnham,
Lincoln,
October.
Louise Townsend,
Lincoln,
November.
Clara H. Monroe,
H. M. Warren,
November.
Mary W. Cross,
Lincoln,
January.
Elections :
Jeannette S. Wendell,
High,
September.
Emilie E. Emerson,
High,
September.
Jessie D. Pierson,
High,
September.
Ethel G. Britton,
Lincoln,
September.
Elizabeth Gardner,
Hamilton.
September.
Sallie Gardner,
West Ward,
September.
Elvah M. Hayes,
North Ward,
September.
Mary W. Cross,
H. M. Warren,
September.
Grace M. Atherton,
Lincoln,
November.
.
228
Mary W. Kirk,
H. M. Warren, November ..
Nora P. Nason,
H. M. Warren, December .
Elizabeth B. Fuller,
Lincoln, January.
Antonnette V. Pond,
Lincoln, January.
Mary L. Wilson,
Teacher of Sewing, January.
C. Edward Mckinney, Teacher of Manual Training, January.
More changes than usual have occurred in the corps of teachers for the past year ; and persistent efforts have been made to secure the strongest candidates possible for the vacancies. Fitness for the work and successful experience have been the deciding factors in all selections. But we are constantly in competition with other towns and cities that can offer greater inducements than Wakefield, and it is not always possible to secure the teacher who seems entirely adapted to a particular grade.
When an excellent teacher resigns an interruption to the work cannot be avoided, and more or less time must elapse before the succeeding teacher can go on with the work as successfully as could be wished.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
At the last session of the General Court the school laws were revised and amended considerably relative to school attendance and truancy. Their publication in a school report will afford an opportunity for all whom they may concern to read and discuss them, and extracts may be found in the appendix of this report. Your attention is called to these laws, especially Sections 12 and 13. It will be seen that the State compels regular attendance at school, either in a public or private school approved by school authorities, of all children between the ages of seven and fourteen years. If the failure to attend is on account of truancy or disobedience on the part of the child the law provides that the State shall compel his attendance at a
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