USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1887/1888-1890/1891 > Part 9
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SIDEWALKS.
There has been during the past year a larger expenditure of money than was anticipated. Among the largest items chargeable to this account are bills of $778.61 paid Calvin Claflin for concreting and $395 paid A. H. Shepard for labor. The principal repairs have been made as follows : Redressing and new driveways on Main street ; redressing and new work on Everett street ; redressing on Chapin street ; new work on Crane street ; redressing on Hamilton street. We have done considerable work on Elm street between the Congregational Society's horse sheds and Dresser street. At the termination of the sidewalk near the Walker house it ended abruptly, run- ning directly into an embankment. This we have remedied by setting the curbing out and making a continuous walk. In front of J. Booth's and F. L. Chapin's we have taken up the brick which were nearly worn out and substituted concrete therefor ; have set the curbing out about three feet and left a grass plot between the curbing and walk. It greatly improves the appearance of the street, and for which Messrs. Booth and Chapin generously contributed $50 towards the expense. When
64
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
further repairs are made on this street, as there will have to be in the near future, we would recommend the continuation on either side toward Main street of the same plans we have adopted here. The street has ample width for such an improve- ment and it would greatly improve and beautify all the sur- roundings. We have also built a new walk in front of M. J. Surprenant's block on Central street. This work was done late in the fall and concreting deferred on account of cold weather. It should be completed the coming season. There is an unex- pended balance to the credit of this account. We shall need an appropriation of at least $700 for the ensuing year.
CONTINGENT.
There has been a large expenditure of money chargeable to this account the past year and some explanation may be neces- sary. During the year a military company was enrolled in town and all the expense of maintaining the same was charged to this account. We drew back from the state $300, but that amount was small compared with what was expended. We also drew largely from this account for repairs in and about the town barn. It will be observed that all bills contracted by the Board of Health are paid from this account. Officers for police duty and undertakers for conducting funerals are among the important items. We have paid from this account $250 for settlement of suit referred to on page 60. There is a small credit balance to this account. We would recommend an appropriation of $1,500.
BRIDGES.
The expenditures have been within the appropriations. We have replanked the bridge on Mill street near the Hamilton
65
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Woolen Co's office' with three inch southern pine. Other bridges of less importance have also been repaired. All our bridges so far as known are in good condition. No neglect should be allowed in the repair of bridges as liability for damages is sure to arise through any inattention. The foot walk over Central street bridge will need replanking the com - ing season. We recommend an appropriation of $200 for the ensuing year.
RAILINGS.
The railings throughout the Town are in good condition except in a few places which we desire to call attention to. In district No. 6 there is quite a long stretch of railing that is in a rotten and dilapidated condition. It should receive the earliest attention of the incoming board. During the year we built about 1200 feet of new railing. The most important pieces of new railing done are at the foot of Central street between the river bridge and Charlton City road, and on West street oppo- site the print works ; also on River street near the easterly end of the bridge. Painting and other repairs have been done in various places throughout the Town. There is a small balance to the credit of this account. We would recommend an appro. priation of $400 for the ensuing year.
STREET LIGHTS.
Our contract with the Electric Light Co. has been renewed for a term of two years from September 20, 1889, at the original contract price, 27 cents per light for each night. The 44 arc lights we are now maintaining cost $273.24 per month. In our last report we recommended the extinguishing of lights at 12
66
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
instead of II o'clock. On renewing our contract we did not feel like taking upon ourselves the responsibility of incurring an additional expense without submitting the matter to the Town for approval. We have located some additional lamp posts dur- the year, using posts and lanterns which the Town had on hand. We are now maintaining 78 naptha lights and one gas light at the drinking fountain. We have a small credit balance to this account and would recommend an appropriation of $4,000 for the ensuing year.
REMARKS.
Our accounts were never in better condition than to-day. Every running account except one shows a credit balance. Not a dollar has been appropriated since the last annual meeting that will have to be assessed in this year's taxes. Every dollar used in excess of original appropriations was transferred from unap- propriated funds. No money will have to be raised for interest the coming year as we have over $3,000 to the credit of interest account. Why should not taxes be greatly reduced. We be- lieve they will. We think it should be very gratifying to our citizens that we are able to present so favorable a report, and trust that a policy of prudence and economy will always prevail, and that the principles of honesty and public spirit will predom- inate in the future.
Respectfully submitted, W. D. MORSE, GEO. L. CLEMENCE, J. D. BLANCHARD, Selectmen.
Southbridge, March 1, 1889.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
OFFICE OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, Southbridge, March 12, 1889.
The Chairman and Superintendent presented the annual reports for the school year ending March 1, 1889.
Voted to accept the reports and adopt them as the reports of the Committee.
J. T. CLARKE, Secretary.
SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARD TEACHERS.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1887-8.
CHARLES HYDE, Term expires 1889
A. J. BARTHOLOMEW, Term expires 1889
JAMES M. AMMIDOWN, Term expires 1890
GEORGE M. LOVELL, - Term expires 1890 GORHAM EASTERBROOK, (Chairman), Term expires 1891 GEORGE G. BULFINCH, (resigned), Term expires 1891
J. T. CLARKE, Secretary, and Superintendent of Schools.
Office P. O. building. Office hours : School days 4 to 5 P. M. ; 7 to 7.30 P. M. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
NAMES OF TEACHERS, MARCH, 1889.
High School : F. E. Corbin, Principal; Martha C. Woodruff, Assistant.
Grammar School : Lizzie A. Potter, Jane Farquhar, Mary E. Newell, Mabel C. Ray.
Intermediate : Mary E. Clemence, Alice Holmes, Idella M. Brewster, Louisa E. Humphreys.
Primary : Mary A. Pellett, Etta A. Chamberlain, A. Rebecca Rowley. Mrs. S. M. Knight, Annie F. Morse, Addie M. Martin, Agnes M. Meagher, Mary E. Meagher, Edith M. Snell, Mary J. Delehanty, Carrie H. Simpson.
Ungraded : Martha Cutting, Maud Oldham, Valetta Paine, Ida M. Plimpton, Alice B. Booth, H. Louie Keyes, Jennie M. Keyes.
Special Teacher of Drawing, Jennie E. Chamberlain.
REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTHBRIDGE :
The education of our youth is a work of supreme impor- tance and most sacred duty, and should therefore receive our constant and careful attention. Indifference in this matter is inexcusable, and neglect is criminal. The future well being and usefulness of our youth and the good character and prosperity of the town, state and nation demand that we provide for the rising generation the most efficient means and methods of a good education. For this no reasonable effort nor expense should be spared. As to what constitutes a good education there is a great diversity of opinion. It will help to an intelli- gent understanding of this question to keep clearly in mind the twofold object of education, namely, character and usefulness. In determining the quality and degree of education account must be taken of what the subject should be in himself and what duties he will be called upon to perform as a member of society. First of all then, and supremely, education should be such as to result in the developement of good character. But this is not the only result to be secured ; if it were it might reasonably be demanded that education be exclusively or mainly moral and religious. The individual exists and is to live not alone for himself but also for others. A distinguished educator has said : "Every human being has duties to perform and therefore has need of cultivating the capacity for doing them, whether the sphere of action be the management of a household conduct of a trade or profession, or the government of a nation." That only is true and adequate education which begets in the
70
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
mind of the subject an intelligent purpose to be both an honora- ble and useful member of society, and provides him with suffi- cient means for the accomplishment of this purpose. To give our youth such education as this is our highest duty and should be our conscientious effort.
The schools are in a prosperous condition and on the whole are doing most satisfactory work. They are furnished with a good corps of teachers under the supervision of our efficient superintendent, between whom and the teachers the most pleas- ant relations exist. There have been a number of changes in teachers during the year, due mostly to the offering of better positions to those who have left us. Ability commands and is worthy of good compensation. Surely those who are efficient and faithful in the work of educating our children ought to re- ceive generous recompense.
The superintendent has been indefatigable in his labors and his efficient and faithful work has secured for him the full con- fidence and hearty approbation of the committee.
The attendance in the schools has been larger this year than in any. previous year for some time. This is due to the in- gress of a large number of pupils who had attended the paro- chial school. Of the exact cause of their sudden and unan- nounced return to the public schools the committee is not in- formed. This unexpected increase in the number of pupils made it necessary to secure extra school rooms and teachers. Evening schools have been provided for those above school age unable to read and write the English language. The number attending these schools and the work done in them reveal the wisdom of the law that makes them necessary.
To meet the requirements of the law fire escapes have been placed on the buildings of the Main street, School street and River street schools.
At the last annual meeting of the town the committee asked for an appropriation for the thorough renovation of the Main street building and such alterations as might be found necessary for the introduction of the Smead & Northcote heat
71
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ing and ventilating apparatus, from which such excellent results had already been secured in the School street building. The amount of the appropriation asked for was thought to be ample, but when work had progressed to a certain stage, the sum was found insufficient, accordingly a further appropriation was asked and granted. The reasons for this unexpectedly large expense in the improvement of this building will be apparent to all who have had experience in the renovation and improvement of old buildings. The cost of such work usually exceeds the most careful estimate. Considering the fact that the town could not legally dispose of this property, the money expended is a good investment. The improvement of the building was an imperative need, for it was found to be in an unsanitary and unsafe condition. At present, while not so good as a new build- ing, and not so well located as desirable, yet it is in first-class condition and well adapted to school purposes. As at the School street building so in this, good results have been ob- tained from the Smead & Northcote system of heating and ven- tilation. In fact the improvement is very marked and parents of children attending this school have expressed their apprecia- tion of the change.
The High school room in the new Town House is ap- proaching completion and will doubtless be ready for occupancy in the fall. The main room is not as large as the committee had reason to expect it would be constructed, and in their judg- ment, not as large as it should be. There is, however, another good-sized room conveniently near to the main room, and the two will furnish ample accommodations for all the pupils that will be likely to attend the school. We shall need a generous appropriation for the furnishing of these rooms and for much needed appartus.
In December Dr. G. G. Bulfinch, on account of his removal from town, resigned his position on the school board, with the regret of the other members, who esteemed him highly as a gentleman and had found him to be a valuable member of the
72
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
committee. Owing to the inability of the joint committee to choose his successor, the place has remained vacant.
For a detailed statement of the schools, their present con- dition and needs, attention is called to the report of the superin- tendent herewith presented.
Following will be found a tabular statement of the expendi- tures the present year and estimates for the ensuing year :
FIRARCIAL STATEMERT.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Balance from last year,
$688 40
Appropriation,
1,800 00
- $2,488 40
COMMON SCHOOLS.
Balance from last year,
$592 62
Appropriation, From State fund,
9,800 00 36 09 -$10,428 71
CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.
Balance from last year,
$36 33
Appropriations, From books, etc., sold,
6,150 00
47 93
$6,234 26
APPARATUS ACCOUNT.
Balance from last year,
$99 64
From State fund, 12 00
$III 64
74
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
Deficit from last year, $1 95
Appropriation,
$500 00
Total resources,
$19,763 OI
The Committee expended :
HIGH SCHOOL.
Salaries of teachers, 1
$1,810 25
Fuel and care of building,
IOI 45
$1911 70
COMMON SCHOOLS.
Salaries of Teachers and Superintendent, $9,377 45 Care of buildings, 581 13
Fuel, Rent of school room,
578 55
66 00
~ $10,603 13
CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.
For books,
$705 68
For supplies,
380 88
Repairs, ordinary,
460 10
Repairs, special, including fire escapes,
3,779 44
Furniture,
201 66
Incidental expenses,
614 36
$6,142 12
75
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
APPARATUS ACCOUNT.
For apparatus and books of reference, $36 50
EVENING SCHOOLS.
Deficit of last year,
$1 95
Teachers,
391 25
Janitors,
45 17
Fuel and light,
II 02
Books and supplies,
14 47
Incidentals,
21 22
Rent of room,
12 50
$497 58
Total expenditures, Balance in hands of Treasurer, $571 98
$19,191 03
Books and supplies on hand, not distrib- uted, March 1, 1889,
459 50
APPROPRIATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR.
For High school, Common schools, Contingent schools- Books, Supplies,
$1,900 00 II,000 00
Repairs,
$700 00 450 CO 400 00
76
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Furniture etc. for High school building, 1,500 00 600 00
Incidentals,
---
Apparatus, Evening schools,
$3650 00 200 00
500 00
$17,260 00 Respectfully submitted, GORHAM EASTERBOOK, For the Committee.
March 12, 1889.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF SOUTHBRIDGE:
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith respectfully submit this, my third annual report upon the public schools of the Town, for the year 1888-9, the same being the fourth of the series of the annual reports of the Superintendent of Schools.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS.
Population of the Town, State census, 1885, 6,500
Valuation of the Town for 1888, $3,178,049.51
Number of children been 5 and 15 years of age, 1,538
Number enrolled in public schools during the year, 1,178
Number under 5 years of age,
5
Number over 15, 62
Number between 5 and 15,
I,IrI
Number between 8 and 14, 7II
Average number belonging,
821.75
Average daily attendance,
742-20
Per cent. of attendance, 90.59
COST PER PUPIL.
Current expenses, including teaching. fuel and care of buildings, $12,514 83
Cost per pupil, based on total enrollment, IO 62
Cost per pupil based on average enrollment, 15 23
Total expenditures less permanent repairs,
14,712 35
Cost per pupil based on whole number, 12 49
Cost per pupil, based on average enrollment,
17 90
ATTENDANCE BY SCHOOLS,
SCHOOLS.
Whole number reg- istered during year.
Average number
belonging.
Average attend-
ance.
Per cent. of
Attendance.
Average tardiness
of each pupil.
Number of weeks of school.
High School,
64
50.87
47.92
94.
7.31
40
Higher Grammar-Main Street, .
40
36.59
33.66
91.
1.52
38
School street,
25
19.
17.86
94.
1.84
38
Lower Grammar-Main street, .
59
45.56
44.23
97.
1.
38
School street,
61
44.73
42.85
95.79
2.
38
Intermediate-Main street,
·
52
43.91
40.76
92.83
2.69
38
Plimpton street, .
33
24.73
22.1
89.3
5.75
38
River street,
46
32.5
25.9
79.7
2.22
38
Bank building, .
18
15.94
13.72
86.1
8.5
23
Higher Primary-Elm street,
75
50.
46.
90.
2.5
36
School street, .
54
44.59
40.82
91.5
4.68
36
River street, .
48
42.86
39.29
91.67
2.04
36
Lower Primary-Elm street,
S4
54.
43.
79.63
2.44
36
Main street, .
64
47.46
42.7I
90.
3.
36
School street, .
83
51.31
46.68
91.
1.54
36
Grade 1 .- River street, .
70
38.49
34.93
90.75
.94
36
Grade 2 .- River street,
53
38.68
35.9
92.8
1.64
36
Mixed Primary-Sumner,.
57
25.36
22.08
86.25
.77
36
Carpenter,
109
53.19
46.65
87.67
1.01
36
Ammidown,
38
29.5
25.85
87.6
1.81
36
Ungraded-Bacon,
9
8.69
8.4
96.59
.41
33
Hooker,
21
11.79
9.9
84.1
5.
36
Dennison, .
15
12.
10.94
91.2
3.67
36
Total,
1178
742.2
90.32
2.41
830
· Total average,
51.22
321.75 35.73
32.27
90.32
2.41
36.09
1
A
79
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The following pupils are reported as perfect in attendance, having been neither absent nor tardy during the year:
Blanche Howard,
Bessie Booth,
Ethel Letcher,
Ruth Stedman,
Jennie Simpson,
Wendell W. Sherman,
Mary Welch,
*Willie Welch,
Lizzie E. Morse,
William Laughnane,
Laura Edwards,
Harry Ferron,
Bertha E. Freeman,
Frank S. Chipman,
Arthur Mason,
Howard Searles,
Lizzie C. Kelley,
Mary Duffy,
Mabel Morse,
Henry Mason.
*One half day's unavoidable absence.
Perfect in attendance two terms:
Sarah Fallows
Maggie Dougherty,
Maggie Dellehanty,
George Senecal,
Anson Capet,
Marion Bickerstaffe,
Charles Tatrault,
Everett M. Morse,
Amanda Grant,
Mabel Pratt,
Clarence Hall.
Bridget Doyle,
Julia Moriarty,
Louisa Chapin,
Jennie F. Hefner,
Peter Laplante,
Martin Capel,
Jessie Hyde,
Willie Cullen,
George E. Morse,
Albert Freeman,
Grace Dougherty,
Mary F. Tobin,
Laura Edwards,
Florence Easterbrook,
Harry Tobin,
Cheney Wells, Willie Riley,
Mamie Wells,
Edith Cady,
Ita M. Morse,
James Ware,
Eva Connor,
Herbert Ellam,
Frank Duffy,
Rudolph Lovely.
98 others have been perfect in attendance one term.
80
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The statistics vary little from those of the previous year. The enrollment of the children of school age in town the first of May shows an increase of 23. The registers return the total number of different pupils enrolled in the public schools during the year as 1178, or 179 more than in the last report. The whole number in attendance at the parochial school has been 654, with an average of 590 for the term ending in June; and an average since September, of 380. Probably not less than 200 have attended a part of the time the public schools, and a part of the year, the parochial school, and are enrolled in both. The percent of attendance is one less than in the previous year. This shows no lack of care and attention on the part of the teachers, but is accounted for by the many and severe storms and the many cases of illness. It is worthy of notice that not- withstanding the slight increase of the expenditures for schools, the cost for teaching per pupil, is $2.60 less than last year, and based on the total expenditure is $3.14 less.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
These schools were opened the last of September and con- tinued for three months, each school having three sessions each week. At the Globe village more were desirous to attend than could be accommodated in the room at Plimpton street, so a room in Alden's block was rented and fitted up with accommo- dations for 30 pupils. The schools, as a whole, were much more satisfactory than in the previous year, the attendance more reg- ular, and better results attained. The boys' school at the Car- penter building was less satisfactory than the others on account of the irregularity in attendance of a number of the pupils. There were six schools in all, with a total enrollment of 295. The majority of these could neither read nor write in the Eng- lish language. They were eager to learn and made good prog- ress.
8I
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
There are in town a large number of minors who through neglect or poverty of parents have not attended day schools in this country. Not a few, we find, born in town, or the state who can not read or write. At the opening of the schools, certifi- cates of attendance were given to all, a few of which were after- wards withdrawn for irregular attendance.
The town is not required by the statutes to maintain even- ing schools, and, although I should hesitate to recommend the adopting of them as a permanent feature of our school system, yet so long as the great need exists, and the appreciation by so large a number of the privilege afforded remains, it seems to me money well used.
ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
Number
Enrolled.
Average
Attendance.
Per cent. of
Attendance.
Plimpton street, Boys,
62
52.6
84.8
Plimpton street, Girls,
60
49.
81.3
Carpenter, Boys,
65
43.6
67.1
Carpenter, Girls,
55
42.5
77.3
Alden's Block, Girls,
31
26.8
86.6
Alden's Block, Girls,
22
18.4
83.6
Total,
295
232.9
79.
.
82
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
PERFECT IN ATTENDANCE.
PLIMPTON STREET.
Adolph Assenault,
Joseph Avery,
Demas Martin,
Louis Patenaude,
David Patenaude,
Peter Bergiron,
Felix Lovelly,
Joseph Patenaude,
Hermidas Reno,
Adolphe St. Pierre,
Ami Duclas,
John Lockwood,
Andrew Rivers,
Delia King,
Mary King.
CARPENTER.
George Cabana,
Rosanna Peloquin,
Albina Quevillion,
Marie St. Laurent,
Corrine Seno.
ALDEN'S BLOCK.
Escilda Duclos,
Hermine Roberts,
Marie L. Phareuf,
Selina L'laralley,
Marie Frenier.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
The number of school houses in town is twelve, in all of which more or less repairs were made during the summer. New single desks were placed in the School street Higher grammar, in place of the old mutilated double desks; from the Sumner, Hooker, Bacon and Dennison school rooms, the old double desks were removed and the rooms re-seated with single desks. Thirty in all were purchased and the remaining sittings sup- plied from good desks which were on hand and not in use. The only day school room now furnished with double desks is the River street Intermediate.
Extensive repairs and alterations were made in the Main street building, the Ruttan-Smead system of heating and venti-
83
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
lating introduced and aqueduct water carried into both play- rooms in the basement. The boys and girls are now amply supplied with separate cloak-rooms and basement play-rooms, well warmed, lighted and ventilated. Closets with cloak-room conveniences and with shelves for books and apparatus are pro- vided for the teachers.
The apparatus for heating and ventilation in this building -the same is in the School street building-is regarded by those familiar with its operation superior to any other for school houses.
The contractors claim for it and guarantee, with proper management, the following results :
I. That the apparatus shall, with good care, warm the school rooms to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, during the coldest weather.
2. That each room shall be so uniformly warmed that no two seats in the same room and on the same level, at the same time, shall show a difference of more than 3 or 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. That in any weather, all the rooms can be warmed, as above described, within two or three hours from starting fires.
4. That if any rooms shall become over heated in cold weather, the same can be reduced to a comfortable temperature at the rate of 4 degrees for each ten minutes without opening doors, windows, or transoms, and without perceptible currents of cold air on occupants of seats in the room.
5. That when the apparatus is in use, the entire volume of air in each room warmed shall be changed as often as once in every 15 to 20 minutes, as shown by air meter, without open- ing of doors, windows, or transoms, or exposing occupants of seats in rooms to currents of cold air.
6. That the operation of the dry c'osets shall be success- ful.
That if the apparatus does not fill the above guarantee they agree either to make it do so at their own expense, or refund all money paid them, and remove the apparatus from the building.
84
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The school houses of the town are now, in most respects, in fair condition, and will require only sufficient attention to preserve them. The Hooker house needs re-shingling, and the Sumner some outside repairs. The ordinary appropriation for repairs will cover the moderate outlay on these two buildings. It would, perhaps, be economy to put close outside blinds on the windows of the Dennison school house to protect them from depredations of lawless fellows who frequent that neighborhood during the warm season.
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