USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1909 > Part 4
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Manuel Roderquef
2
80
II25
16 71
George Rutadon
2
2 00
Joe Rodriques
2
2 00
Heirs of Oliver P. Simmons
5150
62 82
Frank Perry Suite
2
180
2100
29 82
Manuel F. Sylvia
2
310
875
16 46
Albert A. Simmons
2
430
2025
31 96
Joseph E. Sears
2
190
3475
46 72
Sarah R. Sears
2265
27 64
Andrew B. Simmons
2
160
3 22
David S. Smith
725
8 85
Estate of Charles N. Simmons
250
11995
149 37
Charles G. Simmons
2
2 00
Albertas F. Simmons
2
2 00
Dr. Joseph B. Sayles
2
840
2675
44 89
Dianna Sherman
325
3 97
Frederick J. Swan
2
2 00
James N. Smith
2
1000
2600
45 92
25
ANNUAL REPORT.
Poll
Per.
Real.
Total.
Charles H. Smith
2
3800
7930
145 1I
Joe Enos Souza
2
65
2 80
Mary E. Souza
975
11 90
Manuel Enos Souza
2
30
950
13 96
Nathan E. Simmons, Water- bury, Conn.
75
92
Joseph Swasey
2
600
9 32
Antone Swasey, Somerset
200
2 44
Arthur F. Sprague
2
60
II50
16 77
Antone Sylvia
2
60
2 74
Elmer Shove
2
2 00
John Sears
2
600
9 32
Joe Souza
2
2 00
Joe Perry Suite
2
140
1725
24 76
Franklin B. Simmons
250
3 15
Antone Sylvia
2
2 00
Manuel DeWit Sylvia
2
200
200
6 88
Albertus F. Simmons, Trustee of Baptist Church
75
92
Frank Simmons
2
250
5 15
Manuel F. Sylvia
2
2 00
Manuel Simmons
2
2 00
Victor R. Sheaves
2
I60
I300
19 82
Albertus F. Simmons, Treas
of Baptist Society
I500
18 30
Estate of Cyrus Talbot
John W. Kendall, Exec.
650
7 93
Frederick W. Talbot
2
350
350
IO 54
James A. Talbot
2
95
I390
12
J. Chester Talbot
2
200
1275
20 00
Charles H. Talbot
2
90
I275
18 66
Estate of Charles W. Turner
4960
70 52
Andrew W. Turner
2
830
I470
30 07
·
26
ANNUAL REPORT.
Poll
Per.
Real.
Total.
James G. Tomkins
2
I200
2975
52 94
Heirs of Hannah Talbot
2
500
6 10
Joe Cabral Tores and Manuel Simmons 2
I300
15 86
Joe Cabral Tores
2
2 00
Manuel Cabral Tores
2.
2 00
John Thompson
1975
24 10
Annie A. Tinkham
400
4 88
Estate of Edward R. Talbot
3320
40 51
George W. Tew and
Florence A. Pratt
· 800
9 76
Sumner R. Terry
2
2 00
Robert R. Vance
2
4950
62 39
Whitfield Vincent
2
2 00
William Y. Whitmarsh
2
2 00
Lydia H. Whitmarsh
2800
34 16
Marshall Waters
2
950
13 59
Forest A. Whitmarsh
2
I062
5185
78 22
Wilfred F. Whitmarsh
2
2 00
Estate of Nancy Whitmarsh
3150
38 42
Susannah V. Whitmarsh 2
2040
24 89
Robert W. Whitmarsh 2
3700
47 14
Silas H. Whelden
20
325
4 22
Ferdinand Waldron
2
150
3 82
Annie J. Waldron
25
31
Pedo Baptist Cong. Society
4230
51 61
George A. White
2
2 00
Howard S. Wood
163
2400
31 27
Herbert N. Walker
2
50
2 61
Elizabeth A. Walker
5250
64 15
Nathan H. Walker
2
2 00
Frederick I. Walker
2
2 00
Joe White
2
2 00
27
ANNUAL REPORT.
Poll
Per.
Real.
Total.
Heirs of Mary Ware
75
92
Capt. Joseph H. Whelden 2
150
1325
19 99
Obed P. Watson
2
2 00
Edward A. Watson
2
2 00
Estate of William Walker
2225
27 15
Devisees of Thomas B. Witherell
3195
38 98
William Wood
2
2 00
John Wood
2
525
8 41
Joseph Wood
2
830
12 13
Manuel White
2
2 00
Erford F. Waters
2
2 00
Antone Costa Walnut
2
I200
16 64
NON- RESIDENTS.
Names. Residence.
Real.
Tax.
Sarah B. Davis, Fall River
1800
21 96
Joseph Carpenter, Fall River
500
6 10
J. L. Potter, Fall River
I350
16 47
Amedee Trembly, Fall River
150
I 82
Horridge D. Bray, Fall River
100
[ 22
F. A. Savallie, Fall River
1600
19 52
Heirs of George W. Hunt, Taunton
175
2 14
John T. Wade, Taunton
775
9 46
John T. Wade and Elmer Wade, Taunton
325
3 97
J. Mordica Lincoln, Taunton
700
8 54
Heirs of William J. Walker, Taunton
150
I 82
John E. Blake, Taunton
20
25
Devisees of William Reed 2d, Taunton
20
25
William E. Walker, Taunton
160
I 96
Horatio Godfrey, Taunton
195
2 38
Heirs of H. B. Lothrop, Taunton
125
I 53
Hope Pierce, Taunton
25
3I
28
ANNUAL REPORT.
Heirs of Edgar E. Westcoat, Taunton
200
2 44
Heirs of Lyman L. Briggs, Taunton
1575
19 22
Phillip E. Crane, Taunton
IIO
I
35
Estate of Jacob H. Horton, Taunton
225
2 75
William L. Walker, Taunton
525
6 41
Heirs of Abraham Briggs, Taunton
1325
16 17
Heirs of Josiah T. Lincoln, Taunton
60
74
Heirs of Gilbert W. Strange, Taunton
50
61
J. M. and C. H. Evans, Taunton
250
3 15
Heirs of Hiram Baker, Taunton
60
74
George W. Hunt, Jr., Taunton
001
22
Heirs of Alexander H. Williams, Taunton
715
8 73
Lucretia Ashley, Taunton
250
3 15
Otis A. Thayer, Taunton
I40
I 7I
Thomas Brown, Taunton
200
2 44
Mrs. Herbert T. Washburn, Taunton
50
61
Charles E. Mason and Cora Mason, Taunton
1750
21 33
Eliza Crowell, Taunton
150
I 82
Herbert Milo, Taunton
200
2 44
William D. Marvel, Taunton
75
92
George Al. Crane, Taunton
200
2 44
Taunton Yacht Club, Taunton
2850
37 77
Patrick Hennessy, Taunton
275
3 36
John H. Wheeler, Taunton
IO5
I 28
James E. Haskins, Taunton
40
49
Mechanics Cooperative Bank, Taunton
600
7 32
Estate of George D. Elms, Taunton
420
5 13
George E. Wilber, Taunton
1630
26 12
Stiles and Hart Brick Co., Taunton
2000
24 40
Patrick Barry, Attleboro
900
IO 98
Homer E. Whitmarsh, Amherst, Mass.
420
5 13
Rosa D. Whitmarsh, Amherst, Mass.
I250
15 35
Nathaniel H. Rose, Taunton
60
74
Clifford N. Goff, Rehoboth
375
4 58
29
ANNUAL REPORT.
Rev. James Smith, Rector of R. C. Church, Taunton
550
6 71
William A. Walker, Taunton
I20
1 47
Francis J. Wheeler, Rehoboth
1245
15 19
Edward F., Henry G. and Elkanah Wheeler, Rehoboth
75
92
Edmund F. Wheeler, Rehoboth
620
7 57
Heirs of George E. Goff, Rehoboth
150
I 82
George E. Parker, Rehoboth
60
74
Estate of George H. Goff 2d, Rehoboth
1565
19 IO
William B. H. Horton, Rehoboth
IO0
I 22
Susannah S. Pierce, Rehoboth
30
37
Heirs of Frederick E. Francis, Rehoboth
260
3 18
David W. Francis, Rehoboth
1740
21 23
Arthur C. Horton, Rehoboth
30
37
T. J. Wheeler and David W. Francis, Rehoboth
30
37
Heirs of Nathaniel Horton, Rehoboth
50
61
Arthur F. Rose, Rehoboth
I50
I 82
Florence R. West, Rehoboth
740
9 03
Edward F. Wheeler and Frederick E. Francis, Rehoboth
200
2 44
E. Emma Emerson, Pawtucket, R. I.
860
IO 50
Heirs of Morris Quirk, Somerset
100
I 22
Heirs of John A. Burgess, Somerset
400
4 88
Leonard P. Chace, Somerset
500
6 10
Thomas Dean, Somerset
30
37
Estate of Jonathan S. Buffington, Somerset
50
61
George Babbitt, Somerset
700
8 54
Daniel C. Babbitt, Somerset
350
4 27
Walter O. Buffington, Somerset
I45
I 77
Louis B. Codding, Brockton
1950
23 79
Heirs of Sarah B. Simmons, Brockton
350
4 27
Leroy J. Chace, Swansea
705
8 60
30
ANNUAL REPORT.
John E. Chace, Swansea
100
I 22
Andrew J. Chace, Swansea
420
5 13
Heirs of Abbey E. Williams, Swansea
100
I 22
John Barbosia and others, Swansea
1300
15 86
N. A. Case, Swansea
25
3I
Mrs. Daniel Wilbar, Swansea
1850
22 57
Heirs of Eben Eddy, Swansea
700
8 54
Andrew T. Pierce, Swansea
125
I 53
Antone Perry, Swansea
35
43
George R. Fearing, Newport, R. I.
200
2 44
William F. Wheaton, East Providence, R. I.
30
37
Henry J. Spooner, Providence, R. I.
4250
51 95
Otis H. Kelton, Providence, R. I.
200
2 44
Thomas A. Briggs, Providence, R. I.
175
2 14
Theodore Harrison Bliss, Providence, R. I.
3575
43 62
Charles A. Chace, South Swansea
200
2 44
Barzilla Crane, Berkley
I400
17 08
Heirs of Walter D. Nichols, Berkley
20
25
Bowker Fertilizer Company, Boston
325
3 97
Ethel Nickols, New York City
3000
36 60
Emily E. Fraser, New York City
2550
3I II
Clothier Edminster, Freetown
IO0
I 22
William Clark, Jr., Providence, R. I.
1050
12 81
Old Colony Railway Co., Boston
3250
39 65
Heirs of John Gilmore, Raynham
100
I 22
Mary E. Callahan, Bridgewater
975
II 90
Mrs. Alfred W. Reed, New Boston, N. H.
250
3 15
Heirs of Sarah L. Godfrey, Fort Payne, Ill.
150
I 82
Mary A. Talbot, Lynn
225
2 75
Fanny B. Pratt, Boston
2300
28 06
Mrs. George Burney, New Bedford
I200
14 64
Charles Pierce, Dartmouth
275
3 46
Estate of Frederick Brown, Providence, R. I.
250
3 15
Frank B. Simmons, New York
250
3 15
3I
ANNUAL REPORT.
Albert Hardy, Taunton
IO0
I 22
Sylvanus J. Chace, Swansea
625
7 63
William M. Chace, Swansea
500
6 10
William Hodgenow, Swansea
125
I 53
Estate of Stephen Eddy, Taunton
50
61
Alden G. Gooding, Lewis Centre, Ohio
90
I IO
George B. Bullock, Attleboro, and Abbey E. Slater, Rehoboth
700
8 54
Edmund H. Baker, Springfield
495
6 04
Heirs of Edward F. Olney, Rehoboth
IOO
I 22
Heirs of Lyman Slade, Somerset
150
I 82
George D. Chace, Orono, Me.
3065
37 40
Poole Wood Lot
50
61
Fred Joy, Boston
150
I 82
Addie W. Mosher, New Bedford .
IOO
I 22
Algeron H. Barney, Providence, R. I.
I200
14 64
Lewis H. Goward, Taunton
175
2 14
May W. Briggs, Washington, D. C.
IIO
I 34
ELECTRIC RAILWAY EXCISE TAX.
FOR 1909.
The Old Colony Street Electric Railway Company excise tax for the road on the public highway for the year ending Sept. 30, 1909, at 24 per cent on gross receipts, $1348 08
The following taxes omitted in annual assessment were as- sessed on the sixteenth of December, 1909, on the persons and estates according to act of Legislature of 1909, Chap. 490, Sec. 87.
Personal Estate.
Tax.
Estate of Adelia B. Simmons
$19991
$243 90
Edward Lincoln
I4208
173 33
32
ANNUAL REPORT.
Table of Aggregates.
For the Town of Dighton, of polls, property, taxes as as- sessed May I, 1909: Value of Personal Estate
Real Estate.
Building
$603,760 275'444
879,204
Total Valuation
$1,084,308
State Tax
$1,305 00
State Highway Tax
105 25
County Tax
1,436 99
Town Tax
11,940 00
Overlaying
595 05
$15.382 29
Deduct Corporation and Bank Tax,
1,052 21
$14,330 08
Rate per cent on $1,000
$12 20
Number, of Polls
548
Number of Dwelling Houses
486
Horses
308
Cows
344
Neat Cattle other than Cows
78
Swine
26
Sheep
I8
Fowls
2,500
Residents of Property
499
Non-Residents
I55
Poll Taxes only
249
Acres of Land
12,938
GEORGE E. GOODING, Chairman of Assessors of Dighton.
$205,104
Land
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHOOL
OMMITTEE
OF
DIGHTON, MASS.,
For the Year 1909.
TAUNTON. HARRINGTON PRESS. 1910.
2
ANNUAL REPORT.
School Committee.
E. Ellsworth Lincoln, North Dighton, Andrew W. Turner, Dighton,
*Ernest J. Bartlett, Dighton, Josiah S. Place, Dighton,
Samuel N. Codding, North Dighton,
George H. Walker, Dighton,
Term expires 1912 Term expires 1912 Term expires 19II
Term expires 191I
Term expires 1910 Term expires 1910
ORGANIZATION.
E. Ellsworth Lincoln, Chairman. Andrew W. Turner, Secretary.
COMMITTEES.
Books and Supplies-Place, Walker.
District Supervision-Turner, Codding, Lincoln.
Drawing and Music-Place, Walker.
Fuel-Lincoln, Bartlett.
Repairs-Codding, Turner, Bartlett.
Teachers-Lincoln, Turner.
Text Books-Lincoln, Turner.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. John C. Davis, Dighton, Mass.
TRUANT OFFICER. Josiah S. Place.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN. Dr. Joseph B. Sayles.
*Removed from town.
3
ANNUAL REPORT.
School Calendar.
Winter term, 10 weeks, Monday, Jan. 3, 1910, to Friday, March II, 1910.
Spring term, II weeks, Monday, March 21, 1910, to Fri- day, June 3, 1910.
Fall term, 15 weeks, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 1910, to Friday, Dec. 16, 1910.
Winter term, 10 weeks, Monday, Jan. 2, 1911, to Friday, March 10, 19II.
Spring term, II weeks, Monday, March 20, 1911, to Friday, June 2, 19II.
HOLIDAYS.
Washington's Birthday, Patriot's Day, Decoration Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
MEETINGS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The regular monthly meeting of the school committee is held on the Friday preceding the first Saturday in each month.
4
ANNUAL REPORT.
Report of School Committee.
To the Citizens of Dighton :-
At the regular meeting of the School Committee held Feb. 4, 1910, the report of the superintendent was read and ac- cepted.
The committee recommends an appropriation of the same amount as last year, $8,100 for all school purposes, to be divided by the committee according to the needs of the dif- ferent departments. The $100 of the above amount that was appropriated last year for repairs on the Broad Cove school- house will be needed this year for shingling and other repairs on the North schoolhouse.
Respectfully submitted for the committee,
E. ELLSWORTH LINCOLN, Chairman. ANDREW W. TURNER, Secretary.
5
ANNUAL REPORT.
Financial Statement.
RECEIPTS.
Total balances unexpended Dec. 31, 1908,
$381 83
Total appropriations for school purposes, 8,100 00
Share in income Massachusetts school fund,
1,108 4I
From the state for district supervision,
437 50
From the state for tuition of state wards,
49 50
Bristol County dog fund,
262 52
Total receipts,
$10,339 76
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers,
$4,683 00
Janitors and fuel,
665 25
Repairs and incidentals,
688 17
Books and supplies,
495 85
High school transportation,
595 50
High school tuition,
1,718 75
Music and drawing,
500 03
Supervision,
542 50
Medical inspection,
2 80
Total expenditures, $9,891 85
Total balances unexpended Dec. 31, 1909, $447.91.
6
ANNUAL REPORT.
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of Dighton:
It is my privilege at this time to present my second report as superintendent of schools. During the past year your committee has lived within the appropriation, the special re- pairs provided for at the town meeting have been made, and our buildings are in fair condition.
Generally speaking, our efforts during the year have been directed toward an increased efficiency in the daily work of the school. Very little time has been spent in preparing for exhibitions of any sort, our efforts being directed toward a concentrated drill upon the essential work of the school room, and the raising of the general educational standard. Teach. ers' salaries have been increased, one schoolhouse has been fitted up with modern adjustable desks and seats, most of the school yards have been improved in general appearance. and the common drinking cup has disappeared. I am aware that there are many things yet to be accomplished and that there is need of unrelaxed attention and constant effort on our part, but I cannot help feeling that the year has brought forth much improvement in our schools. And there is no reason why we cannot look forward to the future with much confidence, for the sentiment toward the schools in our town is of the best and this is the underlying force which makes possible any improvement.
7
ANNUAL REPORT.
ENROLLMENT.
The total membership for the year ending June, 1907, was 383; June, 1908, 383 ; and June, 1909, 399. This is but a slight increase in the whole number and it would look as if our present accommodations were sufficient. But some schools are overcrowded while others are small, the tendency being toward the central schools, and a readjustment of school ac- commodations in the southern part of the town seems ad- visable.
ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS.
The percentage of attendance for the year ending in June, 1907, was 92.3; June, 1908, 91.2; and June, 1909, 93.3. This is an improvement over previous years. The great majority of parents are very prompt in sending their children to school under all reasonable conditions, but there are a few who use every excuse to deny their children the privileges of our schools and compel us to insist upon compliance with the statute. Were it not for these few families, our percentages would be much higher.
We have had some requests to excuse attendance of chil- dren under fourteen years of age for various reasons. None of these requests have been or can be granted. The statute is imperative, and, unless there is a legal excuse, attendance be- tween seven and fourteen must be continuous during the whole time the schools are in session. The average number of tar- dinesses for 1907 was 3.7; in 1908, 3.8; and 1909, 2.6. The records both for attendance and tardiness are a credit to our schools.
AGE AND SCHOOLING CERTIFICATES.
During the year eight certificates have been issued to chil- dren between fourteen and sixteen years of age, who have
8
ANNUAL REPORT.
secured employment. Except in cases of extreme necessity. it is a mistake to take a boy or girl out of school who is making good progress in his or her studies for the sake of the few dollars he or she may earn. Certificates cannot be issued ex- cept under the following conditions :
I. The child must have reached his fourteenth birthday and be able to read and write sufficiently well to take up the work of the fourth grade.
2. An employment ticket must be presented properly filled out by the person or firm intending to employ the child. Blanks will be furnished by the superintendent of schools.
3. A certificate showing the child to be fourteen must be secured from the records of the city or town in which he was born, or from the records of the church in which he was baptised.
4. The child and the parent or guardian both must appear before the one granting the certificate, the child to be exam- ined and measured and the parent or guardian to take oath to the facts stated in the certificate.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The number of pupils from this town in different high schools for the year ending June, 1907, was 24; June, 1908. 31; and June, 1909, 36. The total cost to the town for the year just closed for tuition and transportation was $2,314.25. This is a considerable part of the whole school appropriation, but the advantages enjoyed are worth it and it is much less than the cost of maintaining a good high school even if we had a suitable building. The number of pupils in high schools at the present time is less than last year, but the price of tuition has been advanced in Taunton, where practically all our pupils attend and the total cost to the town will probably be about the same.
9
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
During the year the foundation to the Broad Cove school has been repaired. On investigation it was found necessary to shingle one side of the roof and build a new chimney. Each building in the town and the heating apparatus connected with it has been thoroughly overhauled and repairs made wherever it seemed advisable.
Considerable interest has been shown by some of the teach- ers and their pupils in cutting down bushes and briers, grading the school yard, planting trees, and otherwise making the school and its surroundings more attractive. I hope that this spirit will continue and extend to other schools.
In my last report I called attention to the fact that Dighton was much in need of desks capable of adjustment to suit the height of the individual pupil. I am very glad to say that since that report one school house has been fitted up with such desks. It is not just or fair to the child to compel him to at- tend school and use a seat and desk not suitable for one of his height. In some cases improper seats and desks are closely connected with such physical troubles as spinal curvature and near sightedness. This is an important matter. The physical welfare of the child must receive due consideration and the obsolete desk discarded as rapidly as possible. I hope that not a year will go by without the purchase of as many new seats as the school appropriation will allow.
HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.
The yearly examination of each pupil as required by law has been made by the regularly appointed school physician, Dr. Joseph B. Sayles. He has also been called upon for many special visits to schools in accordance with contract and when the circumstances seemed to warrant it. The following cases have been reported :
IO
ANNUAL REPORT.
*Impetigo, 2.
*Scarlet Fever, 3.
*Head Lice, 10.
*Ring Worm, 4.
*Uncleanliness, 9. Chronic Enlarged Tonsils, 31.
Imperfect Mental Development, 2.
Weak Lungs, 6. Scrofula, II.
Weak Heart, 2. Spinal Curvature, 3.
Suppurating Ears, 3. Facial Eczema, 2.
Deformity of Chest, I.
Malnutrition, 6.
Erythema Multiforma, I.
Defective Vision, 6. Defective Hearing, 9.
Ivy Poisoning, I. Nasal Polypus, I.
Those marked with a star (*) have been excluded from school until the condition was removed, and notices have been sent to the parents in all cases.
We have been unfortunate in having several cases of scarlet fever reported by the different physicians and the Fish School was closed by the School Committee for three weeks on rec- ommendation of the Board of Health. At the present time there are several cases of measles among the children of the Williams School.
Medical inspection of the public schools has been proven to be of the greatest good to the pupils. Through it attention is called to what might have escaped the notice of parent and teacher until it was too late.
II
ANNUAL REPORT.
There are other purposes, however, of medical inspection. The physician is expected to report cases of unsanitary con- ditions of buildings and surroundings, insist that heads and bodies be kept reasonably clean, and in every possible way safeguard the health of the school.
TESTS OF SIGHT AND HEARING.
The following is the result of the sight and hearing tests which have been conducted as required by statute.
Our condition is this respect is improving ; a large number of those formerly reported are now provided with glasses and on the road to better school work. By the method in use the attention of parents is called to defects with the almost universal result of immediate medical attention.
North Grammar
North Intermediate
North Primary
South Grammar
South Intermediate
South Primary
Brick
Broad Cove
Flat Rock .
Fish
Segreganset
Williams
Total
Total Last Year
Number tested . .. .
22 27
147
36
43 38
16
29
19
14
14
17
322
301
Defective eyesight
5
2
8
7
8
11
2
8
0
3
()
0
54
83
Defective hearing . . .
0
(
3
(
2
2
0
0
0
4
0
4
15
38
Parents notified .
2
1
7
C
4
3
()
5
0
2
0
2
26
45
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
During the year our school accommodations have been am- ple except at the South School where the rooms are over- crowded, one teacher now having the largest number of pupils allowed by law. . This building should be enlarged by the addi- tion of another room. When this is done each teacher will have two instead of three grades and the efficiency of the work materially increased.
I2
ANNUAL REPORT.
We often hear parents comparing our schools with those of neighboring cities. We must not forget that where our conditions are best each teacher has three grades. This means one-third of the time she should have for each recitation and in schools of more than three grades that time is correspond- ingly less. Realizing the disadvantages of the country school of many grades, an increasing number of parents are request- ing permission to send their children to the central schools. Your committee has received a petition signed by every par- ent of the Flat Rock children, with one exception, asking per- mission to send their children to the South School. It has been impossible to grant it on account of lack of room. This petition means a recognition on the part of the parents of the advantages offered their children where each teacher has fewer grades and I think it should be granted just as soon as there is room for them to come in. When the South building is enlarged, as it must be in the near future, these pupils can be accommodated without increasing the whole number of teach- ers in the town and at the same time benefit the Flat Rock pupils by bringing them into a better organized school, and the South School by giving each teacher fewer grades. I think this is worthy of serious consideration by your committee and the citizens of the town.
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LIBRARY.
In practically all of the best school systems at the present time, there is a close relation between the schools and the library. The great majority of our pupils have not had the full benefit of our library ; not but that every facility has been accorded us by the library authorities, but because the library is not easily accessible to many.
The library trustees are about to put into effect a plan whereby a box of books will be sent to each schoolhouse once
I3
ANNUAL REPORT.
in two weeks and be in charge of the teacher. By this plan all the pupils will have an opportunity to take books from the schools to their homes, and parents and any others in the vicin- ity who choose to do so will have the same opportunity. This plan will be a material benefit to our schools and will extend the privileges of the library to many not now reached.
"The school has no right to teach how to read without doing much more than it now does to direct the taste and confirm the habit of reading what is good rather than what is bad."
Here will be the opportunity for the teacher to encourage and cultivate in her pupils a taste for good literature.
TEACHERS.
We have had another year with altogether too many changes in the teaching force. We have also been obliged to use Ste- stitutes in several cases on account of illness. The only rem- edy for frequent changes is increased salaries and I am very glad to say that, commencing with the new year, your com- mittee has made the minimum salary in the town ten dollars per week. When we take into consideration the time and money spent by teachers in securing their education and the increased cost of living, we are forced to conclude that they are much underpaid. Notwithstanding the increases made we have lost some of our good teachers during the year on account of other places being willing to pay more. "Other things being equal, the better the teacher the better the school, and the higher the salary the more attractive is the position to the kind of teacher required. The compensa- tion must be made sufficiently attractive to offset the obvious disadvantages of the average rural school life."
I believe that the teachers are doing their work faithfully and are endeavoring to make their influence of the right sort
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