USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1916-1920 > Part 20
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250.00
258.19
8.75
8.00
258.94
Aaron Fletcher
100.00
102.65
3.50
3.00
103.15
40
Mary J. Harrington
200.00
210.45
7.00
5.00
212.45
Elnathan Jones
100.00
102.70
3.50
3.00
103.20
41 42
Nathan Chaffin
100.00
104.17
3.50
3.00
104.67
43
Jonathan W. Loker
100.00
103.46
3.50
3.00
103.96
Rev. James T. Woodbury
100.00
114.66
3.50
1.00
117.16
45
Henry M. Smith
75.00
76.46
2.63
2.00
77.09
46
Julian Tuttle
100.00
105.00
3.50
10.00
98.50
47
James E. Harris
50.00
51.48
1.75
1.00
52.23
48
Francis Conant
100.00
102.26
3.50
3.00
102.76
49
Elbridge G. Parker
100.00
103.68
3.50
3.00
104.18
50
Lemuel and Augusta Dole
100.00
102.35
3.50
3.00
102.85
51
Edwin Fletcher
50.00
50.88
1.75
1.50
51.13
52
Nancy, Raymond and Joseph Estabrook
100.00
100.72
3.50
3.00
101.22
53
Edward Tuttle
100.00
102.00
3.50
3.00
102.50
54
Abram H. Jones
100.00
100.64
3.50
3.50
100.64
Joseph A. Whitcomb
100.00
105.83
3.50
2.00
107.33
Isaac T. Flagg
100.00
103.04
3.50
3.00
103.54
57 58 59 60
Joseph L. Reed
50.00
52.90
1.75
1.50
53.15
Charlotte C. Flagg
100.00
101.60
3.50
3.00
102.10
Cyrus G. Dole
100.00
103.87
3.50
3.00
104.37
61
Daniel Fletcher
100.00
102.92
3.50
3.00
103.42
62
Asa Parker
100.00
102.93
3.50
3.00
103.43
William N. Wood
100.00
104.75
3.50
3.00
105.25
Leonard Bulette
100.00
102.70
3.50
3.00
103.20
Ruth Robbins
100.00
103.40
3.50
3.00
103.90
66
Henry T. Billings
100.00
99.33
3.50
1.00
101.83
67
Mary E. Lothrop
200.00
212.17
7.00
3.80
215.37
Lewis Wood, Jr.
100.00
105.03
3.50
2.00
106.53
68 69
George Conant
100.00
107.66
3.50
1.00
110.16
500.00
539.77
17.50
14.00
Luther and Augustine Conant
55 56
Jonas K. Putney
150.00
159.96
5.25
3.50
161.71
63 64 65
54
70 71 72 73
Zoeth Taylor
50.00
51.73
1.75
1.00
52.48
Herbert S. Lane
100.00
102.58
3.50
3.00
103.08
"George H. Harris
100.00
114.90
3.50
2.00
116.40
Mary W. Fletcher
100.00
101.03
3.50
3.00
101.53
74
John J. Lothrop
50.00
56.12
1.75
1.00
56.87
75
Franklin P. Wood
100.00
105.16
3.50
3.00
105.66
76
Israel H. Giles
100.00
100.79
3.50
2.00
102.29
77
Joseph Barker
50.00
53.10
1.75
2.00
52.85
78
Emma F. Blood
50.00
55.10
1.75
1.00
55.85
79
Daniel J. and E. E. Wetherbee
200.00
208.90
7.00
2.50
213.40
80
Francis Campbell
200.00
207.50
7.00
4.00
210.50
81
Harriet W. Palmer
100.00
103.20
3.50
2.00
104.70
82
Jason W. Livermore
50.00
53.10
1.75
2.00
52.85
83
Josiah Piper
75.00
77.42
2.63
3.00
77.05
84
William F. Wood
50.00
50.94
1.75
52.69
85
John White
100.00
101.87
3.50
3.00
102.37
86
Cyrus Hale
100.00
101.30
3.50
3.00
101.80
87
Robert Wayne
75.00
76.26
2.63
2.00
76.89
88
Daniel Tuttle
200.00
204.00
7.00
3.00
208.00
89
Edwin Tarbell
100.00
102.00
3.50
2.50
103.00
90
Elisha Comstock
100.00
106.00
3.50
1.00
108.50
91
Luke Tuttle
100.00
101.20
3.50
3.20
101.50
92
Moses Taylor
400.00
418.00
14.00
10.00
422.00
93
William D. Tuttle
100.00
101.80
3.50
3.00
102.30
94
100.00
100.87
3.50
2.00
102.37
95
J. E. Billings
100.00
100.00
3.50
2.00
101.50
96
Lorenzo A. Pratt (Jan. 1)
100.00
3.50
2.00
101.50
97
April 10
George R. Keyes
50.00
1.16
51.16
98
May
6
William Hosmer
50.00
1.01
51.01
99
July
7
Henry Barker
100.00
1.75
101.75
100 July 31
F. E. Parsons
200.00
2.90
202.90
$11.200.00 $11,154.89
$384.85
$297.10 $11,742.64
NORTH CEMETERY
1
Samuel Temple
$50.00
$54.04
$1.75
$55.79
2
Frances Hutchinson
50.00
53.29
1.75
$1.50
53.54
3
Henrietta Anderson
50.00
52.79
1.75
1.50
53.04
4
Mary Hapgood
50.00
52.52
1.75
1.50
52.77
5
Jerusha Blood
200.00
235.75
7.00
1.50
241.25
$400.00
$448.39
$14.00
$6.00
$456.39
.
.
·
.
.
.
·
.
55
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
Cyrus Pickard
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9
F
George S. Wright
100.00
114.90
3.50
3.00
115.40
George C. Wright (Davis Memorial)
50.00
78.55
1.75
80.30
10
B. H. and O. K. Patch
50.00
50.15
1.75
1.75
50.15
11
Howard E. Faulkner
150.00
183.80
5.25
3.25
185.80
12
J. Warren Hayward
50.00
50.65
1.75
2.25
50.15
13
Lewis B. Goodnow
100.00
111.65
3.50
3.00
112.15
14
Sarah A. Hutchins
100.00
115.16
3.50
3.00
115.66
15
F. D. Walcott
100.00
116.06
3.50
3.25
116.31
16
A. Louise Warren and Simon Hosmer
150.00
168.27
5.25
3.00
170.52
17
John R. Houghton ..
100.00
113.62
3.50
3.00
114.12
18
William A. Cutler and Bradley Stone
100.00
101.58
3.50
4.00
101.08
19
John Blanchard
100.00
116.83
3.50
2.75
117.58
20
Wheeler and Shattuck
50.00
50.21
1.75
1.96
50.00
21
George H. Decoster
100.00
107.00
3.50
$3.50
107.00
22
Henderson Rowell
50.00
50.03
1.75
1.75
50.03
23
Luke Blanchard
500.00
690.00
22.50
712.50
24
L. Blanchard, S. Blanchard tomb
100.00
137.50
4.50
4.50
137.50
25
Calvin and Luther Blanchard Memorial
100.00
133.50
4.50
138.00
26
John Temple and Edward F. Pratt
100.00
101.65
3.50
2.50
102.65
27
W. K. Davy
50.00
50.09
1.75
1.75
50.09
28
Ella F. and Lucius S. Hosmer
100.00
112.22
3.50
3.00
112.72
29
Caroline A. Hosmer
100.00
111.60
3.50
3.00
112.10
30
Isaiah Reed
100.00
111.98
3.50
3.00
112.48
31
Benjamin F. Hapgood
100.00
110.73
3.50
3.00
111.23
32
Lucy A. (Wetherbee) Burbeck
100.00
109.48
3.50
2.75
110.23
33
Francis Jones
50.00
50.04
1.75
1.75
50.04
34
Simon Hartwell
100.00
109.95
3.50
3.00
110.45
35
Emerson Fuller
100.00
106.15
3.50
3.00
106.65
36
John Porter Priest
100.00
105.15
3.50
3.00
105.65
37
Harriet D. Brown
100.00
105.25
3.50
3.00
105.75
38
Oliver Mead
100.00
106.28
3.50
3.00
106.78
MT. HOPE CEMETERY
Eliza A. Whitcomb
$75.00 1sh FRR
$79.87 37.90
$2.62
$2.50
$79.99 39.40
S. Lizzie Hayward
100.00
124.10
3.50
2.75
124.85
Frank C. Hayward
500.00
509.33
17.50
*17.50
509.33
George C. Wright
100.00
139.90
3.50
3.50
139.90
George Crampton
100.00
112.90
3.50
3.00
113.40
Joel Wright
100.00
114.15
3.50
3.00
114.65
Phineas Wetherbee
4.00
2.50
56
·
39 40 41 42 43 44 45
Bessie E. Brown
100.00
106.41
3.50
3.00
106.91
100.00
105.83
3.50
3.00
106.33
Hiram J. Hapgood
100.00
104.79
3.50
3.00
105.29
Charles Robbinson ·
75.00
77.82
2.62
2.50
77.94
Emerline A. Johnson, F. E. Flint and H. Louis Bush
400.00
433.77
14.00
11.00
436.77
50.00
50.02
1.75
1.75
50.02
100.00
104.50
3.50
3.00
105.00
Paid to F. C. Hayward.
i Paid to Geo. H. Decoster.
46
Charles S. Twitchell
50.00
50.04
1.75
1.75
50.04
47
Francis Pratt
50.00
50.00
1.75
1.75
50.00
48
Marcus M. Keyes
500.00
529.66
17.50
13.50
533.66
49
Alcander P. Bean
100.00
103.08
3.50
3.00
103.58
50
Bancroft Whitcomb
100.00
103.45
3.50
3.00
103.95
51
Hobart E. Mead
100.00
104.08
3.50
2.50
105.08
52
Jerome B. Whitney
100.00
101.70
3.50
2.75
102.45
53
Varnum Robbins
100.00
101.50
3.50
3.50
101.50
54
Walter O. Holden
100.00
104.20
3.50
3.00
104.70
55
G. W. Knowlton
50.00
51.16
1.75
1.75
51.16
56 57
A. Knowlton
50.00
51.16
1.75
1.75
51.16
58
Edwin Stone
100.00
101.35
3.50
2.75
102.10
59
Joseph E. Chandler
50.00
50.77
1.75
2.00
50.52
60
Granville E. Whitcomb
100.00
101.00
3.50
2.50
102.00
61
James E. Richardson
50.00
50.05
1.75
1.75
50.05
62
William F. Piper
100.00
100.03
3.50
2.75
100.78
63
Walter A. Gilmore
50.00
51.01
1.75
2.00
50.76
64
Henry F. Hosmer
50.00
50.87
1.75
1.75
50.87
65
Lyman Mead
100.00
100.87
3.50
2.50
101.87
66
E. F. Richardson
50.00
1.45
1.75
49.70
67
Feb. 27
Ira B. Hall
100.00
2.90
2.50
100.40
68 May 1
Alonzo L. Tuttle
50.00
1.16
51.16
69
May
8
Wm. Chaplin, Senior
100.00
2.03
2.25
99.78
70
May 81
Wm. Chaplin, Junior
200.00
4.06
2.75
201.31
71
May
8
Wm. Chaplin, G. A. R.
100.00
2.03
1.50
100.53
72
June 20 Guy Staples .
50 00
87
50.87
73
June 20
Albert Brown
100.00
1.75
2.00
99.75
74 June 28 Edwin C. Parker
150.00
2.63
152.63
.
.
.
50.00
51.16
1.75
1.75
51.16
Edith A. Watson
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
George Gardner
.
Nahum Littlefield
.
Francis Hayward
57
Jan. 29
75
June 28
Eben Smith
50.00
87
50.87
76
July
3 Oscar Preston
50.00
. 72
50.72
77
Oct. 29 Alvin A. & Ellen M. Haywood
100.00
.58
100.58
78
Oct. 30 James Rentell .
100.00
.58
100.58
79
Dec. 31
Pratt & Hooper
50.00
50.00
$8,350.00 $7,888.46
$281.12
$212.46 $9,207.12
·
· . .
.
. .
58
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31st,
1919
RATED
DONI
1735.
41
ACTON.
HUDSON, MASS. THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE
1920
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1920
March 12. Winter term closes. 13 weeks Vacation, one week
March 22. Spring term opens.
June 11 *. Spring term closes. . 12 weeks
1920-1921
Sept. 7. Fall term opens. 12 weeks
Nov. 24. Fall term closes.
Vacation, Thanksgiving and day following
Nov. 29. Winter term opens.
· Vacation Christmas week and week following
1921
March 18. Winter term closes .. . . 14 weeks Vacation, one week
March 28. Spring term opens.
May 17. Spring term closes 12 weeks
Total .38 weeks
LEGAL HOLIDAYS
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, July 4, First Monday of September, October 12, Thanksgiving Day, Chrismtas Day. (The day following when any of the four first days mentioned, the 12th of October or Christmas occurs on Sunday.)
Arbor Day falls on the last Saturday in April and is not a legal holiday.
Flag Day falls on June 14, and is not a legal holiday. It should be observed by proper exercises by any school in session on that day.
3
STANDING RULES
*Rule 1. Children under five years shall not be admitted to the . public schools.
Rule 2. Pupils shall be promoted from grade to grade and school to school according to merit. Thorough and satisfactory work will be required of pupils in a lower grade or school before entering a higher grade or school.
Rule 3. Children who have not previously attended any school shall be admitted to the public schools only at the beginning of the fall term, unless qualified in the opinion of the teacher and superin- tendent of schools to do the work.
Rule 4. Pupils shall be held responsible for books loaned to them until returned to the teacher.
Rule 5. No repairs shall be made upon the public property in the care of the school committee except by their authorized agents.
Rule 6. There shall be no signal for "no school" on stormy or other inclement days, but parents shall determine in their individual cases whether it is expedient to send their children to school or not.
*When the birthday of a child falls on or before the fifteenth day of the month it is reckoned as falling upon the first day of that month.
SCHOOL OFFICERS
Harry Nelson Brown, Chairman. Term expires 1921
Bertram E. Hall, Secretary.
Term expires 1922
Edwin A. Phalen ..
Term expires 1920
Mrs. Lilly C. Case
Mrs. Elsie F. Parsons
Mrs. Alice M. Carlisle
Superintendent
*Herman C. Knight, Residence, Townsend, Mass.
* (Elected Dec. 27, 1919.)
Attendance Officers
Thomas Scanlon . West Acton Carl Pickens .. Acton Center
Walter M. French South Acton
Janitors
Thomas Scanlon West Acton
Carl Pickens
Acton Center
Theron Newton South Acton
Teachers in Service, December 19, 1919
Teacher
School
Appointed Educated
Graduated
Home Address
Martha F. Smith *Ella L. Miller
Center Primary
1902|Lowell Normal
Yes Acton, Mass.
Center Grammar
1899 Framingham Normal Yes Acton, Mass.
Florence M. Williams Doris M. Look
Center Intermediate 1919
West Primary
1919 Fitchburg Normal
West Intermediate
1919 Hyannis Normal
West Grammar
1909 Mt. Holyoke College
Yes South Acton, Mass.
South Primary
1918 Fitchburg Normal
Yes Fitchburg, Mass.
Yes South Acton, Mass:
So. Upper Primary South Intermediate 1906 Fitchburg Normal 1907 Fitchburg Normal
South Grammar 1919
Yes Leominster, Mass. No
4
Muriel H. Fairchild * Eula S. Taylor Gladys Farnsworth Julia L. MeCarthy Jennie E. Stowell ** Mrs. Grace E. Tucker
Yes South Acton, Mass. Maynard, Mass.
*Principal * * Acting Principal
5
GENERAL REPORT
In presenting our financial statement for 1919, we wish to call your attention once more to the seemingly never ending tendency to higher prices, both for wages and commodities. Notwithstanding this fact, our estimate of 1919 expenses came within $103.57 of the amount asked for, the total amount of bills against this Department being $103.57 more than estimated. The receipts, however, were $535.02 less than expected, and this loss with the cut in our budget recommended by the Town Finance Committee, resulted in an un- paid bill at the end of the year of $1470.59. This is summarized as follows :
Total expenses. . $23,435.57
(Amount asked for, $23,332.)
Appropriation $20,000.00
Receipts (estimated $2,500) 1,964.98
Total receipts 21,964.98
Balance unpaid $1,470.59
The Massachusetts State Board of Education has recommended that Towns appropriate the amount asked for by the School Commit- tee, but that taxes be levied taking into consideration the estimate of receipts, and we sincerely trust this recommendation may be fol- lowed by our Town.
One important bill was passed by the Legislature in 1919 which provides for re-imbursement of towns for a part of the teachers' sal- aries, if the salaries paid are over certain amounts, and while our teachers for the most part have been satisfied with the increase grant- ed last year, they have recently petitioned this Board to consider further increases in accordance with this legislation and as the grant- ing of this increase will result eventually in a saving to the Town, we have raised our teachers' salaries for the coming year accordingly. We believe Acton has a splendid teaching force, and we desire to keep them satisfied and contented.
During the year we lost one teacher, who was receiving $627 to the City of Somerville, where she went to receive $900.
Our Supervisor of Drawing, Miss Marion C. Taylor, who has given us such excellent and efficient service for so many years, has left for other fields of usefulness, and Mr. DeMerritt Allen Hiscoe is teaching in her place.
One other important change has occurred. In December 1919 Mr. Frank H. Hill, Superintendent of this District, resigned to ac- cept the Superintendency of Schools at Marblehead. At a meeting of the joint District Committee held December 27th, in Littleton, Mr. Hill's resignation was reluctantly accepted, and Mr. Herman C. Knight was given a unanimous call to be Superintendent of this Dis-
6
trict. A committee was appointed to draw up resolutions on Mr. Hill's departure and reported as follows :
"The following Resolution was prepared by direction of the School Committees of the Towns of Acton, Carlisle, Littleton and Westford, Massachusetts, meeting in joint session in Littleton, Dec. 27, 1919.
WHEREAS: Superintendent Frank H. Hill is about to sever his connection with the schools of this district after eight years of ex- cellent service, be it
RESOLVED : that it is the wish of the Committee to give hearty and public expression of their appreciation of Mr. Hill's able, consci- entious and painstaking administration of the schools of this district; of his unvarying courtesy in all relations with the Committees, and of his attitude as a man and citizen toward the various interests of the towns within the district.
For the Joint Committee :
HARRY N. BROWN, South Acton
HERBERT A. LEE, Carlisle HERBERT L. CAULKINS, Littleton
CHARLES O. PRESCOTT, Westford
COMMITTEE"
These sentiments are heartily subscribed to by this Committee and we wish Mr. Hill continued success and prosperity in his new relations.
We also feel that in Mr. Knight we have a worthy successor to Mr. Hill.
During the year the Center School House was given some much needed interior repairs and the West School House was painted on the outside. This year it is intended to paint the exterior of the South School House.
The following is our detailed estimate of expenses for 1920 and the receipts and disbursements for 1919 :
ESTIMATES FOR THE SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1920
For general expenses :
Salaries and other expenses of the com- mittee $125.00
Salaries and other expenses of the super- intendent and truant officers 800.00
For expenses of instruction :
Tuition of pupils attending out of town schools 8,300.00 Salaries of elementary school teachers 10,000.00
For textbooks :
For elementary schools it is anticipated that the amount to be received from dog tax will cover this item. 300.00
7
For stationery and supplies : Elementary schools 400.00
For expenses of operating school plants : Wages of janitors, fuel and miscellaneous expenses Maintenance and repairs
2,930.00
700.00
For auxiliary agencies : Health 100.00
For transportation :
High school scholars
1,800.00
Elementary scholars
2,500.00
Total
Less estimated income, dog tax
$27,955.00 300.00
$27,655.00
RECEIPTS ON ACCOUNT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1919
Appropriation at town meeting
$20,000.00
Received from Commonwealth of Massachusetts :
County Dog Tax
$259.35
Mass. School Fund
962.07
Industrial Schools
233.79
Account Superintendent
343.75
Tuition (Sadlers)
54.00
Tuition from Avon Home
38.20
Ticket rebates
73.82
1,964.98
Total
$21,964.98
DISBURSEMENTS
General Expenses
School Committee
Salaries :
B. E. Hall, salary 1919 $75.00
Other expenses :
Wright & Potter Printing Co., printing blanks
$2.10
B. E. Hall, telephone, postage & travel
6.16
Samuel Ward Co., card indexes
14.81
Mrs. L. C. Case, expenses
2.20
$25.27
8
Superintendent of Schools and Enforcement of Law : Salaries :
Frank H. Hill, Superintendent $659.94
Carl Pickens, truancy .
5.50
Walter M. French, truancy
19.50
Thomas Scanlon, truancy
2.50
$687.44
Miscellaneous :
Frank H. Hill, postage and telephone
$42.73
Frank H. Hill, travelling expense 34.38
Ruth D. Willard, assistant to superintendent . .
10.33
Elizabeth W. Hill, assistant to superintendent
7.57
Expenses of Instruction
Town of Concord, High .
$4,950.53
Town of Concord, Agricultural
140.63
City of Lowell, Industrial
747.50
City of Boston
7.50
Elementary Schools
E. Sophia Taylor
$699.50
Hazel M. Stone
571.00
Mrs. Evelyn K. Reed
46.40
Mary Morris
113.10
Muriel K. Fairchild
55.26
Frances Hodgen
171.10
Dorris M. Look
256.00.
Ella L. Miller
699.50
Martha F. Smith
644.50
Anna D. Taylor
356.50
Florence M. Williams
272.00
Jennie E. Stowell
667.50
Gladys Farnsworth
597.50
Julia L. McCarthy
644.50
A. E. LeMoine
114.70
Cora D. West
217.00
Helen H. Cummings
33.68
Grace Tucker
298.91
Marion C. Taylor
273.00
Irma M. Durkee
205.33
F. W. Lamberton
20.00
Text Books $6,956.98
Edward E. Babb & Co.
$120.69
$95.01
$5,846.16
9
Benj. H. Sanborn Co.
14.26
Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
3.52
Ginn & Co.
6.92 . :
$145.39
Stationery and Supplies
Edward E. Babb & Co.
$173.59
Milton Bradley & Co.
189.45
H. I. Wallman & Co. 4.72
14.00
Theron F. Newton, freight and express
3.81
Frank H. Hill, express
.34
E. A. Phalen, freight and express
1.43
Thomas Scanlon, freight and express
2.58
Expenses of Operating School Plants Wages of Janitors
Theron F. Newton
$402.00
Thomas Scanlon
377.00
Carl Pickens
328.00
$1,107.00
Fuel
South Acton Coal & Lumber Co.
$1,046.68
George H. Reed
259.47
Hall Bros. Co.
37.00
Benj. F. Hayward
6.25
Thomas Scanlon
6.00
Thomas E, Downie
6.00
Theron F. Newton
1.00
$1,362.40
Miscellaneous
Carl Pickens
$18.92
West and South Water Supply District
of Acton
65.32
J. S. Moore
1.86
Theron F. Newton
20.79
Henry C. Doughty
80.00
Thomas Scanlon
11.29
Hopkinson & Holden
6.25
Fred W. Green
7.00
American Woolen Co.
1.88
J. W. Livermore
4.00
Huntley S. Turner
$389.92
$217.31
10
Maintenance Repairs
South Acton Coal & Lumber Co.
$18.47
Thomas McWalter
24.25
A. S. Lowden
3.58
Theron F. Newton
2.55
L. T. Fullonton
476.34
E. Z. Stanley
36.89
E. A. Phalen
44.67
Hall Bros. Co.
2.80
J. W. Livermore
6.40
J. L. Hammett Co.
44.00
Charles Edwards
11.00
$670.95
Auxiliary Agencies Health
George B. Robbins Disinfectant Co.
$95.00
D. Henessey
3.00
Thomas Scanlon
.52
Transportation
High School :
Boston & Maine Railroad Co.
$1,443.42
N. Y., N. H. & H. Railroad Co.
33.00
Forrest D. Parker
9.36
$1.485.78
Lowell Industrial :
Boston & Maine Railroad Co.
$125.40
N. Y., N. H. & H. Railroad Co.
219.45
$344.85
Elementary :
W. M. French
$390.00
A. Christofferson
533.00
Charles Edwards
774.00
J. D. Smith
760.00
$2,457.00
$4,287.63
.$21,964.98
Total disbursements
$98.52
11
Unpaid Bills
Town of Concord : Balance, Dec., 1919, tuition bill
$1,470.59
Respectfully submitted, HARRY N. BROWN, Chairman B. E. HALL, Secretary EDWIN A. PHALEN LILLY C. CASE ELSIE F. PARSONS ALICE M. CARLISLE
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Members of the School Committee-Ladies and Gentlemen :
Following is my tenth annual report, the twenty-eighth in the series of superintendents' reports.
The school year ending June, 1919, was so broken that it was hardly possible to do all the work planned, or to do it in the most satisfactory manner. But essentials were emphasized and promotions were made on the basis of the children's ability and application. I believe it is possible to make the present year cover the defects of the past unless the unexpected happens, such as another epidemic or the loss of some of our experienced and valuable teachers.
Little by little in the town the salaries of the teachers have crept upward. But not fast enough to keep in line with the trend in other places, or with the advance in the cost of living. Our schedule has been changed from time to time, to give teachers of corresponding positions or corresponding experience and training practically the same salaries; yet, to fill unexpected and difficult positions we have had to go into the market and take such teachers as we could get and at such salaries as they demanded. Many towns have a grad- uated scale of salaries from a minimum to a maximum, varying ac- cording to the grades, as primary, grammar and high. But until the situation becomes normal and teachers salaries settle into somewhat definite standards, such a schedule, unless very liberal, would be like- ly to hinder rather than to help a superintendent in his search for de- sirable teachers. Meanwhile, the General School Fund law offers a way to substantially increase the teachers' salaries without adding much to the present appropriation, and I think it should be taken advantage of at the earliest moment and to the fullest extent. It would purchase contentment and devotion at the state's expense.
Nothing so binds together the several members of a town into a strong unit as a high school in its midst. Such a high school Acton needs; with eighty or more pupils it could offer satisfactory and de- sirable courses for all ; problems of discipline and management would not lie within the jurisdiction of a town with which otherwise Acton has nothing in common; talents would be developed and used at
12
home ; Acton's money would be earned and spent in the home town; instead of three centrifugal forces tending to disrupt the interests of the town a single force would be created to build it up and elevate it. I had hoped to see this brought about in my time, but I must be content to be a Voice calling out the direction only. It may be and I hope, that the corner stone will soon be laid for such an edifice as my dreams have pictured.
I have been somewhat troubled by the attitude of some parents towards the enforcement of the compulsory attendance law. Either they believe themselves above the operation of the law or that they are in some way different from other people. It is the duty of the attendance officer to see to it that every child under sixteen years of age shall be in school unless he has an employment certificate or home permit from the superintendent of schools, or unless his physi- cal or mental condition is such as to render attendance inexpedient or impractical, or unless he is being otherwise instructed in a manner approved in advance by the superintendent of schools or the school committee. The superintendent of schools, or teachers in so far as authorized by said superintendent or by the school committee may excuse cases of necessary absence for other causes not exceeding five day sessions or ten half-day sessions in any period of six months. And, further, to secure a work certificate or home permit as issued between the ages of fourteen and sixteen, the child must have com- pleted sixth grade work, by a law passed in 1919.
I am convinced, after long experience in district supervision, that at least two innovations are necessary to bring about the results expected under supervision. There should be a supervisor for the first six grades, devoting all her time to that work, under the leader- ship of the superintendent. And there should be an agent under the direction of the superintendent to look after all repairs of build- ings and furniture and adjustment of the same; to see that what is proposed and ordered done shall be done promptly and fully; and to act as attendance officer for the district, and supply officer.to the extent only of insuring prompt delivery and distribution after books and supplies arrive at the freight or express offices. Since now all this is a part of the duties of the superintendent, and only a part, it would follow that such a division of his work would be greatly to his advantage from a professional point of view and to the advantage of his towns educationally.
The school physician should be appointed by the school commit- tee and subject to the call of committee, superintendent and teachers. It is sometimes necessary to have the school physician at once and before a condition arises to invite criticism from the outside. The roundabout way in which we have often had to proceed to secure such attention has been discouraging at times. The section relating to School Physicians reads as follows :- "The school committee of every city and town in the commonwealth shall appoint one or more school physicians, shall assign one to each public school within its city or
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