USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1905-1907 > Part 32
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Cubic yds. concrete, 700 at $7.00 $4900 00
Cubic yds. earthwork, 4000 at 30C . I200 00
Clearing out stumps lower end of pond . 1500 00
$7600 00
Say $8000 for estimate.
I have not the data to say that the water-shed in the spring would furnish the storage amount or not. You probably have knowledge of this. I have not allowed anything in the estimate for land damage as it seems to me there should be none.
Yours truly, G. M. TOMPSON.
208
We have also sought the advice of the chief engineer of the State Board of Health. He is of the opinion that the amount of water obtainable at such a low expenditure under this plan would be a very valuable addition to our supply. He also ad- vises that the cove, at the lower end of the lake, should be cleaned for the purpose of improving the quality of the water. There are about thirty acres of low land, partially submerged, belonging to the town in this locality, and we shall ask that $1,500 of the last year's surplus be appropriated for this purpose.
We shall make a more complete study of the conditions during the next dry season, in order that plans for the con- templated increase of supply may be fully matured before action will be necessary. Your Board is giving attention to these and other problems connected with the water supply, which we hope may result in a reasonable assurance of ample supply for at least twenty-five years.
At the present time we are pumping, for the town of Wake- field alone, as much water as was formerly pumped for Stone- ham and Wakefield together, by the Water Company. While the increase of population and the largely increased use of water, occasioned by the installation of the sewer system, will account, to a great extent, for the additional quantity of water pumped, yet the amount of average use, based on the population of the town, has led to an investigation of the probable waste of water,
We find that it is the experience of all cities and towns that a large amount of the water pumped is unaccounted for, in many places the deficiency being more than one half of the amount pumped. This is true of metered as well as un- metered plants. There is some saving by the metered sys- tem, but not so much as is generally supposed.
The Board hope that a more frequent scrutiny of the fix- tures, where water is used, will reduce the waste of water. We have made an annual inspection of all services, for the purpose of obtaining a correct list of fixtures and to detect waste of water from leaks in fixtures and pipes. We intend to make these inspections more frequently in the future.
209
The Board is striving to reduce the water rates to the con- sumers as fast as is possible without interfering with good and efficient service, which is of course of paramount impor- tance. We have been able to make some reduction each year since the town has owned the plant, the reduction this year having been twenty per cent. on bath tubs and one hun- dred per cent. on laundry tubs. It is our intention to make further reductions during the coming year, as the income shows a surplus.
Our financial statement shows that the works cost nothing to the town, the income having covered all expenditures of every nature, leaving a balance which might be used to cover any special work on the plant. The commissioners are of the opinion that all surplus receipts, paid in by the water takers, should be set aside and used solely for the benefit of the plant.
ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Total receipts :
From water rates,
$34,586 56
" Services,
1,882 55
" Rents,
57 00
Total receipts,
$36,526 II
Expenditures :
By maintenance, $14,356 47
" Construction, 4,995 65
" Bonds (Town Treasurer), 4,000 00 .
" Interest,
9,080 00
Total expenditures,
$32,432 12 .
Jan. 31, 1907, surplus or balance, $4,093 99
Detailed statements of the receipts and expenditures will be found under the head of the divisions of statistics which follow.
210
MONTHLY RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
Receipts. Expenditures
February,
$256 07
$433 55
March,
92 25
2,220 08
April,
77 2I
1,038 62
May,
4,494 72
1,647 30
Jnne,
11,720 23
1,629 28
July,
1,447 46
2,844 07
August,
437 20
2,629 83
September,
136 07
1,783 40
October,
195 64
2,453 17
November,
4,753 38
612 42
December,
11,606 45
870 37
January,
1,309 43
1,190 03
$36,526 II
$19,352 12
MAINTENANCE.
The appropriation at the annual town meeting, 1905, from earnings, for maintenance was, $12,500 00
Expended as follows :
Operating Exp. pay rolls, $2,848 76 66 materials, 4,616 75
$7,465 51
Maintenance, pay rolls, $3,623 86
materials, 3,267 IO
6,890 96
$14,356 47
. ... . ..
Deduct credits : Received from services on private land, $1,882 55
Net expenditures,
$12,473 92
Unexpended balance,
$26 08
- -- - -- - - -
211
CONSTRUCTION.
Appropriation,
$5,000 00
Expended as follows :
Average.
Valley St., 2 in., 200 ft.,
$347 75 $1 74
Forest St., 4 in., 626 ft.,
1,719 88 2 75
Cedar St., 4 in., 200 ft., 208 58 I 04
Farm St.,
6 in., 1062 ft.,
1,064 05 I CO
Converse St., 6 in., 932 ft.,
1,483 57 1 70
North Ave., 6 in., 177 ft., 171 82 97 $4,995 65
Unexpended balance,
$4 35
FINANCIAL STATISTICS OF THE WATER PLANT.
FROM DECEMBER, 1903, TO JANUARY 31, 1907. Value of plant in 1903, · · $235,000 00
New construction and improvements, 1904,
14,000 00
1905, 12,500 00
66
1906, 5,000 00
Present value, . ·
$266,500 00
Cost of plant, capitalization, · $235,000 00
Bond reduction 1904, 1905 and 1906, 12,000 00
Present indebtedness, $223,000 00
Financial gain in water plant,
$43,500 00
Additional profit to town and consumers:
Reduction in hydrant rates and street sprinkling, three years, $4,600 00
Reduced rates to consumers, 18 mos., 4,500 00
Surplus taken by town, 1904, 7,000 00 ·
1906,
·
3,500 00
Surplus, or balance Jan. 31, 1907,
4,000 CO
$23,600 00
'Total gain to town and consumers during thirty- eight months of town ownership, . $67,100 CO
---
212
SERVICES. New services added during the year, Services relaid during the year,
Total,
·
129
On private land.
On public land.
Total.
New services,
14II ft.
I272 ft.
2683 ft.
Relaid services,
2084 ft.
1820 ft.
3904 ft.
Totals,
3495 ft.
3092 ft.
6587 ft.
Number of water takers, December, 1903,
1,632
66
66 66 Jannary 31, 1905,
66
1906, .
1,778
66
1997, .
1,879
In addition twelve new services have been laid to houses where the water has not yet been turned on.
HYDRANTS.
Number of hydrants February 1, 1906,
16I
New hydrants added during the year,
.
I3
Present number of hydrants,
I74
Ten hydrants paid for from maintainance appropriation. Three " 66 £ construction
LOCATION OF NEW HYDRANTS.
Bennett street, near Home for Aged Women.
Valley street, corner of Hart street.
Parker road, opposite house of G. M. Tompson.
Prospect street, corner Nichols street.
W. Chestnut street, opposite Walnut street.
Broadway, near house of P. Kelaher. Richardson avenue, near No. 24. Howard street, near Grafton street.
Charles street, half way from Main street to Birch Hill ave. Water street, corner Spring avenue.
Converse street, near house of C. N. Winship.
50
79
1,718
213
Forest street, near house of J. Baxter.
Farm street, opposite school house.
WATER PUMPED IN THE YEARS 1904, 1905 AND 1906.
1904. Gallons.
1905. Gallons.
1906.
Gallons.
January, .
18,211,627
19,637,762
22,812,312
February,
19,308,240
22, 110,560
21,676,960
March,
19, 114,918
23,927,412
23,078,000
April,
18,106,910
21,473,684
19,110,973
May,
19,409,478
23,672,553
20,980,38 )
June,
20,820,944
23,673,790
23,080,874
July,
21,614,448
31,213,960
23,144,482
August,
21,126,588
30,776,584
25,134 142
September,
20,041, 160
22,239,612
23,417,841
October,
22,554,020
21,953,995
21,530,090
November,
19,813,366
21,223,942
19,988,960
December,
19,653,946
20,798,756
22, 139,284
Totals
239,775,645
282,702,610 266.594,303
Greatest amount pumped in 1906, Sept. 19, 1,053,518 gal- lons.
Week of greatest amount, Aug. 13 to 19th, 6,243,820 gallons.
Average daily pumping for year, 730,393 gallons.
Average daily, per head of estimated population, 69 gallons.
RECAPITULATION OF PRINCIPAL WORK DONE AND ADDI- TIONS MADE TO THE WATER SYSTEM IN 1906.
Mains laid, two-inch pipe, .
200 feet
" four-inch
826 .“
66 six-inch
2,17I
Service pipes laid,
Number of new services,
50
" relaid services,
79
" new hydrants,
13
6,587 66
Portable steam boiler fitted with new tubes and piping.
We close this report with detailed accounts of the expendi- tures under the maintenance and construction appropriations.
214
EXPENDITURES.
CONSTRUCTION.
Builders' Iron Foundry, castings, $8 10
Chapman Valve Company, valves, 41 40
George E. Glover, liability insurance,
136 16
Dyar Supply Co., supplies, .
I28 86
Walworth Mfg. Co., fittings,
17 91
Coffin Valve Co., hydrants, .
93 00
Warren Foundry Co., pipe and castings,
1,736 12
Chadwick-Boston Lead Co., lead,
192 97
Wanamaker & Feindel, sharpening tools,
17 31
Harold L. Bond Co., explosives,
36 50
George H. Sampson & Co., tools,
3 50
John Toomey, coal,
28 00
Wakefield Clothing Co., boots,
9 00
$2,448 83
PAY ROLL-CONSTRUCTION.
W. H. Butler,
$425 00
Patrick Sexton,
190 63
Arthur Gibbons,
72 12
Patrick Joyce,
69 00
Edward Talbot,
107 37
Thomas Rooney, .
136 50
Jeremiah Murphy,
147 50
John Roach,
55 00
John Murray,
48.50
William Flynn,
64 50
John Maloney,
41 50
Patrick Dignan,
73 50
John Joyce,
94 00
Jolın Sherman,
39 00
John Mahoney,
23 09
John Bannon,
88 00
John Roach,
8 00
Patrick Welch,
.
35 00
·
!
215
Michael Qualter, . .
$47 00
William Toomey,
10 00
Patrick Hennessey,
9 00
John Curran,
20 00
Joseph Muse,
58 00
John Dillon,
49 00
T. F. Kelley,
80 00
William Heustis,
39 00
Thomas Flynn,
40 co
William Scanlon,
10 00
Patrick Keefe,
4 00
Alexander Muse,
32 00
John Lannon,
47 00
James Regan,
44 00
Simon Muse,
30 00
Michael O'Connell,
10 00
Daniel Murphy,
16 00
Amos White,
25 25
Horace Hale,
14 00
Alexander Gross,
6 00
John Loughlin,
20 00
James Chambers,
28 00
James Hurton,
40 38
J. Corcoran,
28 00
G. W. Killorin, team,
89 07
$2,546 82
EXPENDITURES-MAINTENANCE.
George M. Kelley, shoeing, $8 70
R. H. North, shoeing, . 29 75
Thompson Meter Co., meter repairs, II 32
A. R. Perkins, insurance premium, 25 00
Geo. H. Taylor, supplies, 34 47
Walworth Mfg. Co., tools, pipes and fittings,
273 42
Wanamaker & Webber, carpenter work,
81 31
W. L. Block, oil,
36 99
H. Morgan, masonry,
50 50
216
T. Hickey, coal and cement, $142 55
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., valves, 70 03
Mueller Mfg. Co., service boxes, . 52 90 J. T. Gosnay, stable supplies, 78 20 Mrs. J. E. Kelley, cleaning offices, 15 00
Boston & Maine Railroad, freight and car fares, . 45 89
Fred Perry, cesspool cover, . I 00
H. C. Hibbard & Co., typewriter repairs, &c., 3 75
W. M. Severance, clipping horse, 3 00
H. A. Simonds, sealing scales, 2 24
Cutler Bros., supplies, . 6 78
Geo. H. Glover, liability insurance, 137 00
Dyar Supply Co., dynamite and supplies, 61 30
Killorin Contracting Co., teaming, 20 IO
Builders' Iron Foundry, castings, 6 68
J. F. Sherritt, paints, .
5 90
W. W. Wilder, painting vehicles.
12 50
R. C. North, shoeing, . IO 25
A. A. Butler, cleaning vanlt, 3 00
C. H. Moulton & Co., ladder, 9 00
Mass. District Police, inspecting boiler, 5 00
Coffin Valve Mfg. Co., hydrants and gates, . 341 00
Hodge Boiler Works, repairs to portable boiler,
107 48
E. & F. King Co., soda ash,
5 46
W. Kendall, painting wagon,
15 00
D. W. Castle, packing,
7 00
Town of Stoneham, taxes, ·
172 83
Geo. E. Gilchrist Co., fittings,
20 34
Geo. H. Sampson Co., packing,
4 60
A. T. Howard, book, .
8 25
Wakefield Clothing Co., rubber boots,
8 50
Spaulding Print Paper Co., printing maps, . 9 69
Davis-Farnham Mfg. Co., castings,
26 32
Middlesex Traders Ice Co., ice, .
I 62
Globe Stamp Co., rubber stamps,
3 52
M. Levine, oil, 4 25
Coburn Bros., teaming,
I 00
217
American Surety Co., bond premium, .
$12 50 City of Medford, castings, 18 51
J. J. Loughlin, M. D., professional services, 6 25
C. Welch, oil,
I 20
$7,883 85
PAY ROLL-MAINTENANCE.
George Daniel,
$954 00
Patrick Sexton,
640 88
Arthur Gibbons,
661 10
James Hurton,
687 51
W. H. Butler,
775 00
A. R. Perkins,
1,000 00
Thomas Rooney,
163 00
Patrick Joyce,
379 00
John Joyce,
94 50
George E. Branch,
60 00
Jeremiah J. Cronin,
34 00
H. A. Simonds, .
72 50
Edward Talbot,
134 13
Jeremiah Murphy,
227 00
William Flynn,
62 50
John Roach,
4 00
John Murray,
32 00
John Maloney,
20 50
Partrick Dignan,
20 50
John Bannon,
52 00
Michael Qualter,
62 00
Joseph Muse,
'42 00
Patrick Keefe,
6 00
Alex. Muse,
14 00
William O'Brien,
8 00
Thomas Flynn,
2 00
John Haley,
28 00
James Regan,
118 00
Simon Muse,
2 00
John Daley, .
2 00
218
Amos White,
$2 00
Frank Toth,
16 00
T. F. Kelley,
12 50
William Heustis,
3 00
James Chambers,
16 00
John Loughlin,
21 00
William Scanlon,
10 00
Henry Houston,
20 00
Edward Welch,
14 00
$6,472 62
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES A. DEAN, JAMES H. KIMBALL, WILLIAM H. BUTLER, Water Commissioners.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1907
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1906-1907.
Dr. C. E. Montague, Ch'n, 26 Chestnut St., Term expires 1908 Miss E. M. Greenwood, Sec' y, 10 Lafayette St., " 1907 Josiah S. Bonney, Treas., 35 Central St., 66 1908 Ashton H: Thayer, 785 Main St., 1907 66
Greenleaf A. Goodale, 41 Jordan Ave., 66
1909
Mrs. Ida Farr Miller, 18 Lawrence St.,
1909
Sub-Committees.
Mr. Thayer,
PUBLIC PROPERTY. Gen. Goodale, Dr. Montague.
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS.
Dr. Montague, Mr. Bonney, Gen. Goodale.
TEACHERS AND SALARIES.
Mr. Bonney, Miss Greenwood, Mr. Thayer.
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Miss Greenwood, Mrs. Miller, Dr. Montague.
Mrs. Miller,
COURSE OF STUDY. Mr. Thayer, Mr. Bonney.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. J. H. Carfrey, 126 West Chestnut St. OFFICE HOURS.
Mondays, 7.15 to 8.30 o'clock p. m. Tuesdays and Thurs- days, 8 to 8.30 a. m., Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 to 5.30 p.m. Office, Flanley Block.
Telephone, Office- 225-3 - Res. 102-6.
Clerk, Emily P. Edmond. Hours, 8 to 12 and 1.30 to 5 on School Days.
REGULAR MEETINGS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Second Friday of each month at 8 p.m., at Committee Rooms, Flanley Block.
TRUANT OFFICER. H. A. Sin:onds, 10 Charles Street.
Office Hours.
School days, 9.30 to 10 a. m. at Superintendent's Office.
221
Report of School Committee.
TO THE CITIZENS OF WAKEFIELD :
The close of the present fiscal year finds the School De- partment in good financial condition. When our books closed January 3Ist, all bills rendered were paid, and out- standing bills were reduced to the lowest possible number. There always are a few bills that it is impossible to get in in time, though this year the amount is very small. There are no bills contracted, save one of $125 for shingling the old Franklin School, which was not completed when the books closed. From the beginning of the present school year in September we have had upon the pay roll two teachers and an office clerk for whom no appropriation was made. This has been made possible in part by using tuition and in part from the saving in salaries through changes in the teaching force. It has been the school policy for several years to elect teachers at or near the minimum salary and advance them a small amount annually until the maximum is reached. As the resignations are mostly from teachers receiving at or near the maximum, a considerable sum is thereby saved.
SALARIES.
The question of salaries is one for serious consideration. The cost of living has advanced rapidly, wages are being increased all along the line, but this town and many others have made no general increase in teachers' salaries. As a result they are actually less well paid than they were five
222
or ten years ago. Apart from the consideration that we are losing many of our best teachers annually to other towns because of the smaller salaries here, is it really fair to the teachers? Then, too, our present salary gradation is not an altogether satisfactory one. It often happens that one of the poorer teachers is getting a larger salary than one of the best, simply from longer tenure. It probably is an economical system, and we have hesitated to make any re- vision that would add to the annual expense, though the need is very great.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
One additional room was opened at the Warren School in September, making seven now in use. At the High School the large number in the entering class and the large number in certain subjects made more recitation classes than could be taught during school hours. Consequently, an additional teacher was secured to take the overflow classes. Also the size of the recitation classes in English has been reduced by this means. If the High School continues to grow or even holds its own, this arrangement will be permanent.
A permanent clerk has been employed in the Superin- tendent's office since last summer. This has been a great accommodation to the public and has relieved the Superin- tendent of much detail work, and unquestionably is true economy.
The Lincoln School is more crowded than ever and the means to be taken for its relief cannot be long deferred.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
A main has been laid by the Water Department on Farm Street as far as the Woodville School. Connection was made, the building piped, and suitable plumbing installed, so that
223
all school buildings are now supplied with town water. To have this done it was necessary to guarantee to the Water Department the usual five per cent., which amounts to $25 per year. This is for five years.
At the Warren School sewer connections have been made and all plumbing, except the two crematory closet systems, now discharges into the sewer. These crematories are in good condition and probably will not have to be disturbed for several years. At the Lincoln School there is urgent need of sewer connection and plumbing. Considerable re- pairs must be made upon the present system, if it is to be used another year. An article relative to this will be placed in the warrant. Also the condition of the concrete in the Lincoln yard is not a credit to the town, and to neglect it from year to year is poor business policy.
The High School needs painting badly. Last summer the tin roofs, covings and gutters were painted one coat, but this will hardly more than carry it over the winter. An article relative to this will be placed in the warrant.
The school buildings as a whole are in good repair. The old Franklin has been shingled, the old part at Greenwood kalsomined, the window sashes and casings at the Lincoln painted, and all sorts of minor repairs needed in the various buildings.
The Hamilton School needs a system of plumbing, with sewer connection, though the need is less urgent than at the Lincoln. At the High the large hall in the third story has been kalsomined and fitted up, and is now used for the Commercial Department.
FINANCES.
The expenditures for the present year are as follows:
224
GENERAL.
For salaries, appropriation, · $43,000 00
Applied from tuition, 540 24 ·
---
$43,540 24
Expended as per pay roll,
.
$43,540 24 .
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Appropriation, .
$2,800 00
Income, allowance for old books,
48 25
Total,
.
$2,848 25
Applied from tuition,
496 II
$3,344 36
Expended as per detailed report,
·
$3,344 36
CONTINGENT.
Appropriation,
$2,500 00
Applied from tuition,
90I 45
$3,40I 45
Expended as per detailed report,
.
$3,40I 45
FUEL.
Appropriation, $4,800 00
Expended for fuel, . $4,105 95
Transferred to Eve. School 650 00
4,755 95
Balance unexpended,
$44 05
EVENING SCHOOL.
Appropriation, fall meeting, $200 00
From tuition account, 100 00
From fuel account, .
650 00
Total appropriation,
$950 00
225
Expended for supplies . 125 84
Expended for salaries .
. $586 50 $712 34
Balance unexpended, available,
$237 66
TUITION ACCOUNT.
Balance, as per last report, · $523 80
Rec'd, as per Town Treasurer's report, 1,984 00
$2,507 80
Expended :
Salaries,
$540 24
Supplies,
496 II
Contingent,
901 45
Amt. transferred to Eve. School ·
100 00
Balance available for next year
470 00
--
$2,507 80
We recommend appropriations for next year as follows:
Salaries,
. $45,000 00
Fuel, .
4,300 00
Books and supplies,
2,800 00
Contingent,
2,500 00
Evening School, .
950 00
$55,550 00
It is not expected that $2,800 is enough for books and sup- plies or $2,500 for contingent. It is expected that about $1,800 will be received from tuition, which we recommend be added to the appropriation. A detailed report of expen- ditures and the salary list follows the report of the Superin- tendent.
TEXT BOOKS.
The only general change during the year has been in the arithmetics. The committee feels that a proper comprehen-
226
sion of arithmetic is indispensable. The results obtained under the use of the "Werner" textbook were not entirely satisfactory. The matter was carefully considered by the committee for more than two years, and last summer, upon recommendation of the Superintendent, Smith's and Young & Jackson's textbooks were adopted and the change made. Though this cost nearly $400, and three new typewriters have been bought for the Commercial Department, the total ex- penditure for textbooks and supplies is no more than last year.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION FOR THE FUTURE.
1
The main problem is the center of the town, and there are several possible solutions. The main considerations are these: More rooms needed for the scholars in the Lincoln district; larger and better quarters for the Manual Training, including a permanent room for sewing; in the near future, more room for the High School. The cheapest present solu- tion is temporary quarters, if such can be found, for the over- flow at the Lincoln, or a four-room addition in the rear of the Lincoln, or finishing schoolroom on the third story of that building, or a four or six-room building somewhere in the center district. Any of these would provide for immediate needs, but the provision would be at best only temporary. Looking at the question in the large, with a thought for the future as well as the present, there can be no question that a new High School building offers the surest, most perma- nent, and probably in the end the most economical solution. This would release the present High School for grammar school purposes and put an end to the crowded condition in the grades for a long time. This means a large expendi- ture, and the town at present can ill afford to add to the tax burden. Still, provision must be made for the scholars. We recommend this matter to your careful consideration.
227
COURSE OF STUDY.
The city of Boston is making a gradual change from nine grades to eight below the High School. Some cities and towns in the State are on an eight grade basis. In New York and many other States eight grades is the standard. While no immediate change is contemplated, this is a mat- ter for careful consideration and probable ultimate adoption if it can be brought about without detriment to the schools.
THE GENERAL EDUCATIONAL OUTLOOK.
The present trend of education in New England is toward the practical. Fewer students in our schools and colleges are pursuing a purely classical education, while a multitude are studying technical branches. The growth of Business Colleges and Commercial High Schools and industrial schools is unparalleled. All along the line, and particularly in our cities, there is a strong and increasing demand for Industrial Education. Just how far this properly belongs in our public school system is at present an undetermined fac- tor. The method in the past has been to furnish only a gen- eral education, and allow each individual to get his special training as he could, which certainly was suitable to the situ- ation of twenty-five years ago. But industrial conditions have changed and are rapidly changing. The present trend of affairs in Massachusetts and the Nation is for the citizens as a whole to look more and more carefully after the inter- ests of the individual. This same spirit in educational mat- ters naturally leads to trade schools and industrial education. How soon we shall face that problem no one can tell, but it is bound to come unless conditions change.
EVENING SCHOOL.
The evening school has fulfilled expectations and the re- sults certainly warrant its continuance.
228
The reports of the Superintendent and of the Principal of the High School and of the various special teachers follow. We recommend them to your careful consideration.
Signed,
CHARLES E. MONTAGUE, Chairman, ELIZA M. GREENWOOD, Secretary, JOSIAH S. BONNEY, Treasurer, ASHTON H. THAYER, GREENLEAF A. GOODALE, IDA FARR MILLER.
229
Report of Superintendent of Schools.
To the Members of the School Committee:
I have the honor to submit my second annual report, which is the fourteenth in the series of Superintendent's reports for the town.
We are to be congratulated on the generally good condi- tion of the schools and upon the work accomplished during the year past. I wish to relate somewhat in detail the pres- ent state of the schools-what has been accomplished, and to recommend certain measures which seem to me for their best interests and future progress. Schools either advance or retrograde. There is no standing still. What are we doing then to make our schools effective? Have we any educational policy? Is our educational creed progression, or simply a dead level tread-mill work? Have we the cour- age to take hold of things that make for real progress, that mean true educational advancement? Do we want to be in the front ranks, or are we content with mediocrity? The spirit of the age is something more than the simple school arts-reading, writing, arithmetic; the education of the child today deals with complete living. When we get that princi- ple deep seated our system will meet every want and be second to none in effectiveness.
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