USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1894-1900 > Part 18
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66 66 " 1898,
80 61
$1,697 03
66
66 attending Clerk's meeting at Ayer,
3 09
30
11 10
4 32
37
TOWN OF ACTON.
COUNTRY ROAD WORK.
Paid Nahum Littlefield,
$530 33
A. L. Tuttle, land and gravel, 50 00
Am. Powder Mills, powder, 14 80
D. C. Harris,
3 00
E. Jones & Co., posts and wire,
9 33
Tuttles, Jones & Wetherbee, pipe,
6 72
H. F. Tuttle, surveying,
10 00
$624 18
RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS.
Balance due from Treasurer, March 12, 1898, $643 81
Collector, March 12, 1898, 2,317 96
Appropriations for High school, 1,600 00
For common schools,
3,400 00
Transportation East scholars,
360 00
S. E. «
270 00
School supplies,
475 00
Scientific apparatus and books of ref.,
100 00
Superintendent of Schools,
465 00
Town charges,
5,000 00
Memorial Library,
600 00
Street lamps,
500 00
Overlayings,
619 96
State tax,
870 00
County tax,
1,442 59
Roads and bridges,
2,500 00
Memorial Day,
50 00
Received from First Nat. Bank of Ayer,
State Treasurer, supervision of schools,
In. Mass. school fund,
294 44
Corporation tax,
617 81
National bank tax,
240 57
Military aid, 91 25
State aid,
620 00
66
Tem. support of paupers, 25 78
County Treasurer, dog tax, 213 75
J. R. Beharrell,for E. Acton school house, 161 00 Wm. Kingsley, cellar windows, 75
3,000 00
375 00
38
ANNUAL REPORTS
Rec'd J. D. Brown, for tuition, High school, $20 00
Town of Stow, 66 So. Gram. school, 12 00
9 00
66 Boxboro, High 90 00
John Fletcher, lots sold in Wooodlawn Cemetery, 70 00
C. B. Stone, lots sold in Mount Hope Cemetery, 12 00
Mrs. F. U. Holt, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 1 00
George C. Wright, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 4 00
Nelson J. Cole, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 1 00
Mrs. E. Smith, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 1 00
Dana Hayward, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 1 00
Ora L. Whitney, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 1 00
C. B. Stone, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 3 00
Interest on Wilde Library fund, 196 60
Memorial Library, for fines, 23 00
66 catalogues sold, 4 75
City of Cambridge, aid for Nogle family, 70 18
D. C. Harris, milk sold from farm, 961 39
66
apples “
287 06
66
66 calves “
11 00
66
66 potatoes " 66
5 00
James Emerson, cart
M. E. Taylor & Co., potatoes
7 98
66 eggs 66
3 56
Otis H. Forbush,
2 cows
57 20
Lyman Tuttle, wood 66
4 59
1 cow 15 00
Band of Little Helpers, use of hall, 5 00
Congregational Society, rent of Town hall, 44 00 Rent of Town hall and cellar, 54 00
4 80
39
TOWN OF ACTON.
Rec'd N. Littlefield, road dust, $3 35
C. J. Williams, school supplies sold, 5 20
F. Stevens, for stove, 2 00
D. H. Farrar, 2 00
A. L. Noyes, heater,
3 00
D. H. Farrar, plank,
10
Albert Wood, license to slaughter, 1 00
1 00
Anson C. Piper, overpaid on highway work, 2 00 Isaiah Hutchins, for damage to doors,
1 25
" books, 30
C. B. Robbins, stone steps, 5 25
66 66 windows,
3 00
W. F. Stevens, Int. on taxes of 1897,
86 59
66
1898 14 02
Interest on money in bank, 59 13
$29,023 97 ,
EXPENDITURES.
For support of Centre school,
$882 C2
66
North 66
435 09
66 South 66
1,176 61
West 66
1,266 69
66 High 66
1,602 32
Scientific apparatus,
99 90
School supplies,
476 22
Transportation of scholars,
645 00
Memorial Library,
782 89
State and military aid,
802 50
Street lamps,
509 95
Loans and interest,
3,165 00
Support of poor on farm,
1,862 92
" outside poor,
1,080 67
Cemetery expenses,
427 07
Repairs on buildings and grounds,
1,038 21
Town officers,
1,379 25
Roads and bridges,
2,596 71
Printing,
142 95
A. F. Blanchard, “ 66
40
ANNUAL REPORTS
For Soldiers' relief,
$158 50
Miscellaneous,
1,697 03
State tax,
870 00
County tax,
1,442 59
County road work,
624 18
$25,164 27
Balance due from Treasurer,
Collector,
2,288 81
$29,023 97
FINANCIAL STANDING OF TOWN, MARCH 12, 1899.
Nettie A. Bowen, note,
$1,000 00
Int. from Dec. 6, 1898, to March 12, 1899,
13 33
Frank H. Jones, note,
600 00
Int. from April 27, 1898, to March 12, 1899, 26 25
Frank H. Jones, note,
700 00
Int. from June 15, 1898, to March 12, 1899,
25 96
$2,365 54
Amount due from Treasurer,
$1,570 89
2,288 81
$3,859°70
Less notes payable,
2,365 54
$1,494 16
Interest due on taxes unpaid,
50 35
Balance in favor of the town,
$1,544 51
1,570 89
41
TOWN OF ACTON.
LIST OF JURORS.
The following is a list of persons to serve as jurors for the ensuing year, as revised by the Selectmen of Acton, to be sub- mitted to said town at their April meeting, 1899 : A. P. Bean, Mechanic.
Elisha H. Cutler,
Farmer.
Job W. Dupee,
I. Warren Flagg,
Merchant.
Walter M. French,
Farmer.
David T. Kinsley,
Railroad employee.
E. L. Hayward,
Mechanic.
D. C. Harris,
Stone cutter.
Edgar H. Hall,
Manufacturer.
Lowell A. Jones,
Farmer.
Warren H. Jones,
John C. Keyes, Hanson A. Littlefield,
Merchant.
F. P. Morse, C. H. Mead,
Farmer.
John D. Moulton, S. L. Richardson, Moses A. Reed,
66
E. F. Richardson,
66
William F. Stevens,
Henry M. Smith,
66
S. Hammond Taylor,
66
Horace F. Tuttle,
66
James B. Tuttle,
Willis L. Mead,
Railroad employee.
ACTON, March 22, 1899.
E. FAULKNER CONANT, WILLIAM F. STEVENS, DAVID C. HARRIS, Selectmen of Acton.
I have examined the reports of the Selectmen for the past year and find them correct.
HIRAM J. HAPGOOD, Auditor.
Merchant. Farmer.
42
ANNUAL REPORTS
Treasurer's Report.
RECEIPTS.
1898.
March 12, cash in treasury, $643 81
Received from First National Bank of Ayer, borrowed money,
3,000 00
State Treasurer, supervision of schools,
294 44
617 81
66
Nat. Bank tax,
240 57
66 Military aid, 91 25
66 State aid,
620 00
Tem. support of paupers, 25 78
County Treasurer, dog tax, 213 75
I. R. Beharrell, for East school house, 161 00
Wm. Kingsley, for cellar windows, 75
C. B. Robbins, for outsids windows,
3 00
for stone steps, 5 25
J. D. Brown, tuition, High school, 20 00
So. Gram. school, 12 00
Town of Stow, 66
9 00
Boxboro, " High 66
90 00
John Fletcher, lots sold in Woodlawn Cemetery, 70 00
Charles B. Stone, lots sold in Mount Hope Cemetery, 12 00
Mrs. F. U. Holt, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 1 00
Geo. C. Wright, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 4 00
Nelson J. Cole, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 1 00
-66
Corporation tax,
375 00
66 In. Mass. school fund,
43
TOWN OF ACTON.
Rec'd Mrs. E. Smith, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, $1 00
Dana Hayward, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 1 00
Ora J. Whitney, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 1 00
Charles B. Stone, care of lot in Mount Hope Cemetery, 3 00
Interest on Wilde Library fund, 196 60
Memorial Library, for fines, 23 00
" catalogues sold, 4 75
City of Cambridge, aid furnished Nagle family, 70 18
D. C. Harris, milk sold from town farm, 961 39
D. C. Harris, apples sold from town farm, 287 06
D. C. Harris, calves sold from town farm, 11 00
D. C. Harris, potatoes sold from town farm, 4 80
James Emerson, cart sold from town farm, 5 00
M. E. Taylor & Co., potatoes sold from town farm,
7 98
M. E. Taylor & Co., eggs sold from town farm, 3 56
Otis H. Forbush, 2 cows sold from town farm,
57 20
Lyman Tuttle, 1 cow sold from town farm, 15 00
Lyman Tuttle, wood sold from town farm, 4 59 .
Band of Little Helpers, use of Town Hall, 5 00
Congregational Society, rent of Town Hall for 22 Sundays, 44 00
Rent of Town Hall and cellar, 54 00
Nahum Littlefield, road dust, 3 35
44
ANNUAL REPORTS
Rec'd C. J. Williams, school supplies sold
pupils, $5 20
Frank Stevens, for stove, 2 00
D. H. Farrar, for stove,
2 00
A. L. Noyes, for heater,
3 00
D. H. Farrar, for plank, 10
Albert Wood, license to slaughter,
1 00
Arthur F. Blanchard, license to slaugh- ter, 1 00
Anson C. Piper, cash overpaid on high- way work, 2 00
Isaiah Hutchins, repairs on school house doors, 1 25
Isaiah Hutchins, damage to school books, 30
William F. Stevens, Collector taxes for 1897,
2,317 96
William F. Stevens, interest on taxes for 1897, 86 59
William F. Stevens, Collector taxes for 1898,
15,963 74
William F. Stevens, interest on taxes for 1898,
14 02
Interest on money in bank,
59 13
$26,735 16
EXPENDITURES.
Paid State Tax,
$870 00
County Tax,
1,442 59
On orders of Selectmen,
22,851 68
Cash in Treasury March 12, 1899,
1,570 89
$26,735 16
J. K. W. WETHERBEE, Treasurer of Acton.
45
TOWN OF ACTON.
REPORT OF WILDE MEMORIAL LIBRARY FUND. Dr.
1899.
March 11, to cash deposited in North End Savings Bank, $1,000 00
Middlesex Institution for Savings, 1,000 00
Home Savings Bank, 1,000 00
Warren Institutions for Savings, 1,000 00
Charlestown Five-Cent Savings Bank,
1,000 00
Interest received on deposits,
196 60
Town appropriation,
200 00
Cash received for fines,
23 00
" catalogues sold, 4 75
$5,424 35
Cr.
By Cash in banks,
$5,000 00
Expended for books and magazines,
406 53
Balance unexpended,
17 82
$5,424 35
J. K. W. WETHERBEE, Treasurer of Acton.
Examined and approved.
HIRAM J. HAPGOOD, Auditor.
46
ANNUAL REPORTS
TREASURER'S REPORT OF MONEY HELD FOR CARE OF LOTS IN CEMETERIES.
Dr.
1899.
March 12, to Mary Skinner
fund,
$203 00
Nancy K. Handley,
500 00
Frederick Rouillard,
100 00
William W. Davis,
100 00
Mary W. Chaffin,
100 00
Mary Severance,
66
100 00
Warren Robbins,
100 00
Eliza A. Whitcomb,
75 00
Hepsabeth Piper,
50 00
Jedediah Tuttle,
50 00
Cash received from town for care of lots,
30 75
$1,408 75
Cr.
By cash paid-
Julian Tuttle, care of Skinner
lot,
$5 50
Handley
6 50
Rouillard
3 00
Chaffin
3 00
66
Severance
3 00
66
66
Tuttle
1 00
Robbins
1 00
Davis
5 00
C. B. Stone,
Hayward
1 75
Balance in treasury,
1,378 00
Piper
1 00
$1,408 75 J. K. W. WETHERBEE, Treasurer.
Examined and approved.
HIRAM J. HAPGOOD, Auditor.
47
TOWN OF ACTON.
Report of Overseers of Poor.
ARTICLES ON HAND AT TOWN FARM MARCH 1, 1899.
1 horse,
$50 00
13 cows,
697 00
2 yearlings,
25 00
1 hay wagon,
30 00
1 market wagon,
75 00
1 buggy,
18 00
1 pung,
8 00
2 sleds,
9 00
8 cords of wood, cut for stove for schools and hall, 44 00
16 cords of wood, cut for stove,
80 00
19 ton of hay,
247 00
1 wheel barrow,
3 50
farming tools,
18 00
170 barrels,
34 00
1 double hårness,
22 50
1 single
2 50
1 express
23 00
2 collars,
3 00
grain,
10 00
feed trough,
2 00
plows,
18 00
hay cutter,
2 00
ladders,
11 00
1 cultivator,
3 00
2 harrows,
8 00
1 horse cart,
27 50
1 horse rake,
18 00
1 mowing machine,
27 50
1 grindstone,
2 00
spray pump,
8 00
48
ANNUAL REPORTS
25 boxes,
$ 2 50
coal,
1 00
3 wood saws,
2 00
1 canvas cover,
1 75
1 wrench,
75
45 gallons of soft soap,
8 65
25 hens,
12 50
1 barrel of apples,
3 00
2 bus. carrots,
1 00
30 bus. potatoes,
18 00
150 lbs. pork,
15 00
oil and tank,
1 50
lumber,
8 00
pails and tubs,
2 00
4 baskets,
1 00
1 stove,
5 00
1 chair,
1 50
1 range,
22 00
1 lounge,
3 50
1 stove,
10 00
1 chair,
1 25
5 beds and bedding,
18 00
1 stove,
3 00
2 cabinet chairs,
2 50
1 table,
1 00
9 chairs,
3 60
stone drag,
3 00
2 traps,
50
1 blanket,
1 50
set of measures,
1 40
salt,
25
22 gallons paint oil,
8 00
1 washing machine,
8 00
tea,
60
coffee,
35
bbl. of crackers,
2 65
17 cans of fruit, brooms,
4 25
50
5 dox. jars,
3 00
49
TOWN OF ACTON.
sugar,
$ 0 80
flour,
75
spices,
25
butter,
50
lard, 1
75
molasses,
40
beans,
2 25
meal,
15
axe,
1 00
$1,717 35
Receipts from farm,
1,357 58
Victualing and lodging tramps,
87 00
$3,161 93
Expenditures,
$1,862 92
Interest on farm $3,500 at 5 per cent.,
175 00
Stock on hand March 1, 1898,
1,278 40
$3,316 32
Less receipts and stock on hand,
3,161 93
$154 39
COST OF SUPPORTING POOR INMATES AT FARM DURING YEAR.
Sarah Hunt, whole year.
Lucy Hapgood, whole year.
Mrs. Henry Brooks, from March 12 to Dec. 17, '98.
Eben Jones, from Sept. 15 to March 12, '99.
Frank E. Harris, from June 9 to Oct. 19, '98.
Thomas Morey, from Jan. 16 to March 12, '99.
I have examined the accounts of the Overseers of Poor and find them correct. H. J. HAPGOOD, Auditor.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
1
Acton Memorial Library.
1898=99.
LUTHER CONANT, Pres. WILLIAM D. TUTTLE, Secy.
MOSES TAYLOR, ADELBERT MEAD, DANIEL J. WETHERBEE. DELETTE H. HALL.
HIRAM J. HAPGOOD, CHAS. J. WILLIAMS, L. A. HESSELTON.
53
TOWN OF ACTON.
Library Report.
The Trustees of the Acton Memorial Library take pleasure in presenting their ninth annual report. This report is a favorable one. A large increase is shown in the number of books taken, and we think that every year a higher class of literature is called for,-that is, books of travel, history and biography, which contain more general information than works of fiction, that in many libraries comprise a large per cent. of the books demanded. The desire for reading with the pupils of the schools and those somewhat older constantly grows, and indeed is one of the most promising features of the institution.
With a single exception we have little of importance to pre- sent, and for that reason our report will be a brief one.
Some months since the trustees received a very interesting letter from the donor of the library, Hon. William A. Wilde, which so fully explains itself that we give it entire.
BOSTON, September 26, 1898.
Mr. Luther Conant, Acton, Mass .:-
DEAR SIR-I have had for some little time an idea on my mind which I desire to present to you and learn what you think of it.
The success of your library in Acton is going to depend in the future almost entirely upon the way the people of Acton feel toward it. To do the largest amount of good and be of the greatest value to the people they want a personal interest in the library, and it is human nature for us to think most about that which costs us something. Therefore, I want to suggest a little card or slip be printed and pasted into the catalogues of the library, explaining the necessity of increasing the value of the library by books and pictures and other ways, and I would have the card read something like this :
54
ANNUAL REPORTS
Form of Bequest to the Acton Memorial Library and Art Room.
I give to the Board of Directors of the Acton Memorial Li- brary and reading Room of the Town of Acton, and their suc- cessors in office forever, as special trustees
dollars, in trust, to be invested, and the income thereof to be applied to the use and benefit of the Library and Reading Room.
I believe there are those in Acton who would be glad to make some such bequest for these purposes. Some might leave $100, some $500, and some $1,000, but everyone that did make a bequest would interest others in the library-make it more pop- ular-think more of the library-read the library more-study it better.
Kindly let me know what you think of the plan.
Yours truly, W. A. WILDE.
We trust that those to whom Mr. Wilde's letter applies will give the subject careful consideration and act as they think best. As an encouragement, we may state that knowledge of the fact has come to a member of the Board of Trustees that papers have already been drawn that ultimately may benefit the library in a good degree.
We would remind the patrons that we should be very glad to receive from every one who feels able and desirous to do so, one new fresh book of interest every year. Please do not wait until the end of the year, but attend to this request at your earliest convenience.
We ask the town to vote the same appropriation, $200, for new books, and $400 for current expenses, as in years past.
Respectfully submitted,
LUTHER CONANT,
For the Trustees.
55
TOWN OF ACTON.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
Total number of volumes in library,
6,627
Added by purchase the past year,
350
Added by gift, 28
Total added,
378
Total number of persons who have taken out cards,
1,415
Number of books taken out during the year, 8,715
Largest daily use, Feb. 25, 1899,
188 volumes
Smallest daily use, Feb. 16, 1899,
21 volumes
Visitors registered during the year, 258
Fines,
$23.0
GIFTS TO THE LIBRARY.
Hon. J. F. Fitzgerald has presented a map of the United States, and Mrs. Mary A. Hammond an ancient singing book.
DONATION OF BOOKS.
Cambridge W. C. T. U., 1; Warren Hapgood, Boston, 1; United States government, 9; State, 8; Mrs. Luther Conant, 1; E. A. Goodnow, Worcester, 1; Viola S. Tuttle, 6; Luther Conant, 1.
PERIODICALS DONATED FOR THE READING ROOM.
" Child's Hour," and " Our Sunday Afternoon," Hon. W. A. Wilde; "Our Paper," Massachusetts Reformatory ; " Our"Dumb Animals," Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and " Woman's Home Companion," Mast, Crowell & Kirkpatrick.
Magazines same as last year, with the addition of the " Chau- tauquan."
VIOLA S. TUTTLE, Librarian.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON, MASS.,
FOR
SCHOOL YEAR 1898-99.
ATED
2
NI
-1735.
ACTON.
HUDSON, MASS. : THE ENTERPRISE PRINTING COMPANY.
59
TOWN OF ACTON.
Report of the School Committee.
To the Citizens of Acton :
We respectfully submit to you our annual report, in which is included the report to the committee of the Superintendent of Schools.
The more important events of the year have been the dissolu- tion of the union supervision district of West Brookfield, Sturbridge and Acton, the formation of a new district compris- ing the towns of Westford, Littleton and Acton, and the result- ing change in the incumbency of the office of Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Dixon remained in charge of the schools of the Worcester County towns, while Mr. Andrew S. Thomson of Brown University was selected to superintend the schools of the new district.
The salary of the superintendent was fixed by the district committee at $1,500 per annum, with an allowance of $30 for postage and stationery, of which sums the town of Ac- ton is responsible for the payment of 3-10 of the former and 3 of the latter.
Mr. Thomson has proved himself an efficient and hard-working officer, entitled to your confidence and that of your committee.
Mr. Dixon's term of service having expired on May 22, and that of Mr. Thomson not beginning until September, Mr. Dixon was engaged to take charge of the schools during the latter part of the spring term at a pro rata salary.
During the year a heating plant of late pattern has been in- stalled in the Centre school building, which has contributed largely to the comfort and well being of the occupants of the house.
The severity of the weather during the winter and the ab- sence of teachers because of illness have caused several inter- ruptions of the sessions of the schools for longer or shorter terms. While such interruptions of the regular sessions of the schools are much to be regretted those in question have been un- avoidable.
60
ANNUAL REPORTS
We again urge upon the town that it provide adequate accom- modations for the common schools at South Acton and for the High school, and again recommend that provision be made for the consolidation of the North school with those at the centre of the town.
The High school classes of '96 and '97, upon their graduation from the school, presented to it, the former, a set of eight fine photographs, and the latter a collection of six of the busts of famous men. We wish here to acknowledge these gifts, and, on behalf of the town, to thank the donors.
Whenever the weather conditions require it a "no school " signal will be struck upon the bells of the Congregational Church at the Centre village, the Baptist Church at West Acton and the store at South Acton. The signal is ten strokes of the bell, and it will be sounded at 8 o'clock A. M.
The appropriation of $100 for the purchase of apparatus and books of reference for the High school has been expended as follows : Apparatus, $59,88 ; books, $40.02. The report of the purchasing agent of the committee is submitted herewith.
There has been received from the Commonwealth the sum of $375 on account of superintendency for the year 1897-98.
Sections 12 and 31 of Chap. 496 ot the Acts of 1898 are here printed for the information of the public :
SECT. 12. Every child between seven and fourteen years of age shall attend some public day school in the town or city in which he resides during the entire time the public day schools .are in session, subject to such exceptions as to children, places of attendance and schools as are provided for in sections three, seven, ten and eleven of this act: provided, that the superin- tendent of schools, or, where there is no superintendent of schools, the school committee, or teachers acting under authority of said superintendent of schools or school committee, may ex- cuse cases of necesary absence; and provided, further, that the attendance of a child upon a public day school shall not be re- quired if such child has attended for a like period of time a private day school approved by the school committee of such town or city in accordance with section two of chapter four hun- dred and ninety-eight of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and ninety-four, or if such child has been otherwise instructed
61
TOWN OF ACTON.
for a like period of time in the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or has already acquired the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or if his physical or mental condition is such as to render such attendance inexpedient or impracticable. Every person having under his control a child as described in this sec- tion shall cause such child to attend school as required by this section.
SECT. 31. Any person having under his control a child be- tween seven and fourteen years of age who fails for five day sessions or ten half-day sessions within any period of six months while under such control, to cause such child to attend school as required by section twelve of this act, the physical or mental condition of such child not being such as to render his attend- ance at school harmful or impracticable, upon complaint by a truant officer and conviction thereof, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Any person who induces or attempts to induce any child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors while school is in session any child absent unlawfully from school, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES ON ACCOUNT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEARS 1898-99.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation for common schools,
$3,400 00
66
" High school, 1,600 00
66
" school supplies, 475 00
66
" transportation S. E. pupils,
270 00
66 66 E. 360 00
" apparatus and books for High school, 100 00
66
" salary of Superintendent, 465 00
Received from Massachusetts school fund,
294 44
dog licenses, 213 75
66 for tuition in High school,
110 00
66 66 common schools, 21 00
$7,309 19
62
SCHOOL REPORT
EXPENDITURES.
For common schools,
$3,760 41
High school,
1,602 32
school supplies,
471 02
transportation S. E. pupils,
270 00
E.
360 00
apparatus and books for High school,
99 90
salary of Superintendent of schools,
455 00
Unexpended balance, 290 54
· NOTE .- It should be borne in mind that of this sum of $7,018.65 expended on account of schools, $883.19 have been contributed by the Commonwealth,
ESTIMATES FOR THE SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS FOR
THE YEARS 1899-1900.
For common schools,
$3,400 00
High school, 1,600 00
school supplies,
475 00
transportation E. pupils,
360
270 00
S. E. « 270 360 00
apparatus and books for High school,
100 00
salary Superintendent of Schools,
450 00
$6,655 00
For the School Committee.
CHARLES J. WILLIAMS, Chairman.
$7,018 65
63
TOWN OF ACTON.
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee :
GENTLEMEN-It is my duty and pleasure to submit this, my first, report to you, and through you to the citizens of the town of Acton. It is my endeavor to describe the schools as they are, and to suggest improvements which may meet with your favor.
Your attention is invited to the following statistics :
Number of children in town between 5 and 15 years of age, 264 66 66 66 8 and 14 66 123
Whole number of pupils enrolled in all the schools, 339
188
Number of pupils enrolled between 8 and 14 years of age, 66 66 over 15 years of age, 41
Average membership of all the schools,
276.2
attendance 66
66
258.5
Per cent. of «
66
93.5
Number of public schools,
9
teachers required,
11
66 different teachers during the year, 12
Average wages per month of female teachers, $39 80
Aggregate of months schools have kept, 81
When I entered upon my duties in September, I found a large territory and a variety of conditions with which to become ac- quainted. I was glad to find that so many of your former teach- ers had remained with you, as I believe that every successive year of a teacher's services enhances that teacher's effectiveness.
STUDIES.
It has been my policy to modify the course of study already well established, rather than to introduce radical alterations, be- lieving that sudden changes are disastrous to the best results from pupils and teachers.
There has been suggested a slight change in the course of study in geography. We propose to make a more extended study of local or town geography. When geography is properly taught
64
ANNUAL REPORTS
the child is first led to observe his immediate surroundings. The points of compass, relative situations and distances, the real significance of a map, may all be taught, and best taught, with reference to the town and village in which the school is located. The schoolroom should be well supplied with globes and maps, and other illustrative material, in order that when the pupil passes from the consideration of his immediate surroundings to that of places at a distance, his understanding may be assisted by these symbolic representations. Soon after the local geogra- phy is finished, the study of the earth as a whole is taken up. Here, in the first year of the study of geography proper, and the fourth year of the child's school life, we propose to give him a clear conception of this great round earth, its motions, its warm and cold belts, its forms of land and water. From this point the study of the grand divisions and continents will be taken up in the usual manner.
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