USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1896-1898 > Part 19
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Two engineers for steamers, 100 00 each, 200 00
Otto Carlson, sundries,
126
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
Two assistant engineers for steamers, $50 00 each,
$100 00
Two stokers,
50 00 each,
100 00
Two stewards,
75 00 each,
150 00
Four captains,
35 00 each,
140 00
Four lieutenants,
30 00 each,
120 00
Thirty-six hose and ladder men,
25 00 each,
900 00
$1,910 00
Schedule of Apparatus.
The apparatus in service consists of two steam fire engines, two horse hose carriages, two hand hose carriages, two hook and ladder trucks, one supply wagon, one portable fire escape, one life net canvas, one Siamese coupling with discharge pipe, two Perfection nozzle holders, two new Waldron nozzles and two Common Sense nozzles, 1,200 feet of leather hose, 2,550 feet rubber-lined hose.
Electrician's Report.
We have been very fortunate this year as we have had but eight alarms of fire, two of which were needless.
I would again recommend an indicator for each engine house. This instrument shows plainly the number of the box after the first round and will not move again until set back to 0, thus avoiding all mistakes. We had an indicator at the fire- men's fair, which was loaned us by the Gamewell Co., and it proved to all who saw it the accuracy and speed of thus record- ing an alarm of fire or the all-out or general alarm signals. I trust the department will have, at an early date, one in each engine house, as they are really a necessity to a well organized department.
127
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
One new tapper has been added to the line, and the wires for about 1,000 feet on the Westville road have been changed over on to the new poles which the Southbridge Gas & Electric Co. put in last fall.
Supplies on hand : 26 zines, 16 glass jars, 11 saucers for same, 1-2 barrel old copper, 1 barrel old zinc, and 500 feet No. 9 wire.
Respectfully submitted, ANDREW F. HALL, Supt. Fire Alarm Telegraph.
Water Supply.
I wish to say a few words iu regard to hydrants, as there are parts of the town which have been built up since the hydrants were placed and if fires should occur in these localities there are not enough hydrants within reaching distance.
Would recommend that one be placed on Hamilton street between the one at the corner of Marcy street and corner of Cross street. One at or near the corner of Lens street, one on Everett street between Park and Spring streets, also one on South street near Water street.
Plimpton and Pleasant streets remain the same without water and if fires occur in this district as I have said before, there is no way of getting water except the Mckinstry brook which is without water through the dry season ; Charlton road is also in the same condition; where there is a large amount of property without fire protection.
There has been one new hydrant placed this year on Coombs street.
128
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
General Remarks.
During the past year there have been no large fires and but few small ones, also the damage to property has been light.
Our appropriation was raised last year on account of our being obliged to repair the cistern on Main street, which, after the sewer pipe had gone through it made another outlet for the water that filled the cistern, but on account of the wet season we were unable to repair it. We would ask that the balance left over be continued another year that we may repair the same.
The steamers and hose carriages have been touched up and varnished the past year, making all the apparatus in first-class condition.
The Board recommends the building of a new engine house in the center of the town. As we have said before the old house is in a dangerous condition. The hook and ladder truck an'l supply wagon are kept in a barn where they cannot be taken care of as they should be.
This year we would recommend that the sum of $1,400.00 be appropriated for running expenses and hose.
In closing, I wish to thank the entire Fire Department for their able support during the year, also the Superintendent of the fire alarm and his assistant for the excellent condition of the system.
Respectfully submitted, C. P. PHIPPS, Chief. C. F. MARBLE, Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
OFFICE OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, SOUTHBRIDGE, March 11, 1898.
The Chairman and Superintendent presented the annual reports for the school year ending February 26, 1898.
Voted to accept the reports and adopt them as the report of the Committee.
J. T. CLARKE, Secretary.
School Officials.
School Committee for 1897=8.
GEO. M. LOVELL,
A. J. BARTHOLOMEW,
F. X. TETRAULT, HENRY WHITTAKER,
A. L. HYDE, REV. G. W. PENNIMAN,
Term expires 1898
Term expires 1898. Term expires 1899 Term expires 1899
Term expires 1900
Term expires 1900
Officers of School Board.
A. J. BARTHOLOMEW, Chairman. GEORGE M. LOVELL, Secretary. Regular monthly meeting first Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock.
J. T. CLARKE, Superintendent of Schools and Clerk of the Board. Office, Town Hall.
Office Hours : School days, 3.30 to 5 p. m. ; 7 to 7.30 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings.
Report of School Committee.
In submitting their annual report, the Committee find a difficulty in presenting some pertinent statements and conclu- sions that can carry to the public the deliberate judgment of the full board.
The statutes provide that the School Committee shall annually submit "a detailed report of the condition of the public schools" within their jurisdiction, " which report shall contain such statement and suggestions as the Committee deem necessary or proper, to promote the interests thereof." This brief and precise, yet comprehensive provision of law, not only enjoins a duty, but also formulates the general scope of the substantive matters such reports should contain within these proper limitations, first, that the report shall embody the judg- ment and conclusions of the Committee itself, and second, be prepared with a purpose to promote the interests of the schools. The requirement that these reports shall be printed " for the use of the inhabitants of the town," contemplates that the Com- mittee shall prepare them for a helpful service and influence in a specific direction, and assumes that the Committee shall exer- cise their discretion and judgment to that end. In case the Committee neglect to make and return their reports annually, or in case they fail to make their reports formal and correct, the share of the town in the income of the School Fund shall be
134
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
withheld from the town, or ten per cent. thereof be deducted therefrom, and in addition to this penalty, a forfeiture of not less than one, or exceeding two hundred dollars, shall be in- curred by the town.
The public school system of Massachusetts has always stood and still stands, tested and approved by long practice and experience, the model of the American idea of the true plan of providing for the support and government of public schools. In theory as well as in operation, it preserves to the people the sole power of providing appropriations of money for the sup- port of schools, and the right to elect the School Committee who shall disburse their grants, and possess exclusive authority to govern and control the public schools. In these respects, it preserves the principles of a republican form of government. It assumes that the people can be trusted to elect School Com mittees who shall be worthy of their trust and confidence, and who shall exercise their authority with prudence and discre- tion. It protects the schools from violent changes, by provid- ing a three years' term of service for each member of the Com- mittee. The authority of the Committee is created and defined by law, and all their duties are enjoined by it. The town cannot invade their domain, to do any act to restrict or modify that authority. And limited and confined as this authority is, to the management and control of the public schools, in a manner to promote their interests, it should never be exercised or influ- enced by any considerations of a merely political, religious or personal bias. Obviously, therefore, any influences, whether within or outside of the council chamber of the Committee arising from any such bias, and that do not rest solely on a purpose to promote those interests, are not only wrong influ- ences, but positively evil and tend to bad results.
This Committee are grateful for what the town has done to provide more and better facilities and accommodations for our schools, by the erection of the new grammar school building in
135
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
answer to a need too long postponed. While this will necessi- tate some additional expense, it will certainly afford the means of realizing under proper conditions, improvements that will amply compensate the town for its investment.
The Committee do not forget the fact that the school room is not the beginning of the duty of educating children, but remember to remind all parents, that the school is only the sup- plement to the influences and instructions of their homes, which the school can never wholly supplant. This often re- peated statement should serve to make every parent who is in- terested in the personal conduct and work of his children in the school. share in the responsibilities of their teachers, for their improvement. by co-operating in their discipline and instruc- tion. The general appearance, progress and proficiency of the public schools. can be greatly improved and advanced, by add- ing to the work of the teachers, all the right influences of an interested home.
The Committee have provided a series of free lectures upon selected topics relating to school instruction, by gentle- men who are prominently connected with school work. The series was opened by an address by Mr. James W. McDonald, visiting agent of the State Board of Education. upon the sub- ject of Education, followed by Supt. Louis P. Nash, of Gard- ner, Mass .. on Geography, and Supt. Charles A. Carroll of Worcester, on the "Kindergarten." There are others to be given upon "Drawing and Manual Training," the teaching of Arithmetic, and History. These lectures have been exceedingly interesting and instructive. All parents should avail them- selves of these opportunities to know what is going on in the best public schools of to-day.
The attention of citizens is invited to the statistics, ac- counts and reports, of the acting School Superintendent, and the teachers of the high school and drawing prepared by them and submitted to the Committee, which are appended to this
136
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
report, embodying such further matters as they are required to report and return as provided by law.
Respectfully submitted for and in behalf of the School Board of the town.
A. J. BARTHOLOMEW, Chairman.
Southbridge, March 14, 1898.
Supplementary Reports.
It is a matter of common knowledge here, that the school Committee is equally divided upon the question of discharging the duty of electing a school Superintendent for the current year, as required by law and the instruction of the town. The deliberations of the Committee upon this subject have at all times been characterized by a spirit of frankness, courtesy and personal consideration, becoming to their relations. They have discussed the subject, with the purpose of so far reconciling their diverse opinions, as to enable them to perform that im- portant duty by the major vote and action of the Committee. Having failed to accomplish this, it has seemed to the subscrib- ers, to be their manifest duty to present to the public a fair statement of the position of the parties to the controversy. We believe that the people of this community should know, and have a right to know, by a just and authoritative statement, the precise points that have divided the Committee into two equal factions, (using this word in no offensive sense,) stripped of any desire to argue the delicate matter here, or to create a prej- udice in the minds of any reader, for or against one faction or the other, beyond what such a statement itself may carry as a matter of information. We do not desire to have our position,
137
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
or that of our associates misunderstood or that our motives shall be judged by any other test than a frank statement of that position alone affords.
The school year ends with the close of the schools in June. It has usually transpired that at the regular monthly meeting in June, the Committee have designated the teachers for the next year, and elected the Superintendent annually as the law requires. At that meeting on the first Tuesday of last June, their discussion of the subject of electing a school Superintend- ent disclosed the fact that three members of the Committee favored a change in the supervision of the schools, for reasons frankly stated in kindness of feeling and expression towards all parties concerned.
They urged upon the attention of their associates the prop- osition that the condition of the public schools here was such, that their satisfactory advancement and proficiency required changes of methods of discipline and instruction, possible to be obtained without important disturbance in the teaching force now in charge of the schools, by electing a younger man, more recently educated under modern methods of instruction, and therefore personally more familiar with them, who possessed the vigor of youth and was more in touch with youth; who was inspired with a personal ambition and enthusiasm for school work, and capable of communicating that among the teachers and their pupils. That a person possessing these qualifications and characteristics for supervising the public schools here could be selected and obtained, and that great improvement could be made in our schools by that step. It was argued that this step was strictly in the line of duty, and in their judgment, it should be promptly taken, for the good of the schools.
The three remaining members of the Committee, objecting to making any change in the personal supervision of the schools, argued the proposition that in their judgment no change was
138
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
desirable or necessary or likely to be found advantageous to the schools ; and therefore, that they deemed it unadvisable to at- tempt to make any change in the office in response to any known demand for change, or any known desire to effect an improvement in the condition of the public schools by that means.
This statement presents the precise position each side of the contention took in their deliberations. At the regular meet- ing in September last, a motion to invite candidates applying for the office of school Superintendent, to visit the Committee with a view to an election here, failed to receive but three votes in the Committee. Any action of the Committee in the direction of attempting to perform our duty, has been impossi- ble, without surrendering the judgment we had declared as above stated, and consenting to the re-election of the Super- intendent of 1896. But it has never yet occurred to our minds, that only one man existed so conspicuous in the work of super- vising public schools, as to be thought suitable to perform that duty here, where his capacity has been so long observed.
But so far as our action is concerned, whatever may be said or conjectured, relative to this unfortunate disagreement, no self-respecting citizen should allow himself to forget that the only important matter for him to consider is what the public schools of the town require, independent of any other consider- ation of any sort whatever.
Conscious of a desire to do our whole duty to promote the interest of the schools, with fidelity and according to our best judgments, and realizing that we stand before a small army of school-children, whose bright faces and sparkling eyes reflect the hopes of their parents, and embrace the possibilities of the civilization that must follow us, pathetically beseeching us to do our best to prepare them to perform well their duties as citi- zens, and to lead worthy, prosperous and helpful lives, we in-
139
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
vite the candid judgment of every right minded citizen in the discharge of his duties, for a like purpose.
A. J. BARTHOLOMEW, GEORGE W. PENNIMAN, ALVA L. HYDE.
Southbridge, March 14, 1898.
The undersigned dissent from the foregoing report, so far as relates to the Superintendency. They have 110 apologies to make for the course they have taken in the controversy for the last few months. No demand on the part of the people for a change of Superintendent has reached them. They would express
their entire confidence in the Superintendent and teachers, and in the efficiency of the schools. The favorable condition of our schools is in large measure, due to the long and efficient service of the Superintendent. The undersigned wish to thank citizens for cordial sympathy and support.
GEORGE M. LOVELL, F. X. TETRAULT, H. WHITTAKER.
Southbridge, March 14, 1898.
Financial Statement.
High School.
Balance from last year,
$695 26
Appropriation, Tuition from other towns,
2,900 00
313 37
$3,908 63
Common Schools.
Balance from last year,
$34 29
Appropriation, Tuition from other towns,
13,200 00
18 00
13,252 29
Contingent Schools.
Balance from last year,
$4 85
2,700 00
Appropriation, Books, supplies, etc., sold,
13 67
2,718 52
Apparatus.
Balance from last year, $42 91 Appropriation, 200 00
242 91
142
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Evening Schools.
Balance from last year,
$9 70
Appropriation,
650 00
$659 70
Total Resources,
$20,782 05
The committee have expended :
High School.
Salaries of Teachers,
$2,631 50
Janitor and fuel,
500 00
-
$3,131 50
Common Schools.
Salaries of Superintendent and teachers, $11,034 70
Care of buildings,
773 88
Fuel,
685 50
Tuition,
94 00
Transportation,
7 00
12,595 08
Contingent Schools.
For books,
$506 36
For supplies,
702 27
For repairs,
816 02
For incidentals,
683 32
2,707 97
Apparatus.
For apparatus and books of reference, 230 92
143
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Evening Schools.
Teachers,
$441 00
Care of rooms,
59 15
Fuel and lights,
42 48
Rent,
35 00
Books and supplies,
18 83
Incidentals,
38 10
$634 56
Total expenditures, $19,300 03
Balance in hands of treasurer, $1,482 02
Books and supplies on hand, not distributed,
$792 13
Appropriations for Next Year.
High School-
Teachers,
$2,300 00
Janitor and fuel,
500 00
$2,800 00
Common Schools-
Teachers and Superintendent,
$12,800 00
Janitors,
1,300 00
Fuel,
1,300 00
Tuitions,
100 00
15,500 00
Contingent Schools-
Books,
$650 00
Supplies,
700 00
Repairs,
750 00
144
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Incidentals,
$850 00
$2,950 00
Apparatus,
200 00
Evening schools,
650 00
$22,100 00
Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Committee,
A. J. BARTHOLOMEW, Chairman. Southbridge, March 11, 1898.
Superintendent's Report.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF SOUTHBRIDGE :
Gentlemen : The annual report for the year 1897-8 is herewith respectfully submitted. This is the thirteenth of the series of annual reports from this office and the twelfth of the present Superintendent.
Statistics for the Year 1897=8.
Population of the Town, State census, 1895, 8,250
Valuation of the Town for 1897, $3,589,172
Number of elected teachers employed March 1, 1898, 26
Number of helpers employed March 1, 1898, 5
Number of polls, 1,467
Number of children between 5 and 15 years of age,
1,708
Number enrolled in public schools during the year,
1,275
Number under 5 years of age,
25
Number over 15 years of age,
119
Number between 5 and 15,
1,126
Number between 8 and 14,
.656
Average number belonging,
870.62
Average daily attendance,
816.76
Per cent. of attendance,
93.81
Cost Per Pupil.
Current expenses, including teaching, fuel and care of buildings, $15,726 58
Cost per pupil, based on total enrollment, 12 33
146
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Cost per pupil, based on average enrollment,
$16 22
Total expenditures, less permanent repairs, 19,195 54
Cost per pupil based on whole number,
15 06
Cost per pupil based on average enrollment, 19 77
Cost per pupil in High school,
28 47
Through the courtesy of the instructors we are able to give the following statistics of the parochial schools :
Number enrolled at the Notre Dame Parochial school,
775
Average number belonging,
610
Average attendance,
542
Per cent. of attendance,
88.52
Total enrollment at St. Mary's Parochial school,
156
Average number belonging,
147
Average attendance,
139
Per cent of attendance,
94.56
Attendance by Schools.
of
SCHOOLS.
Whole Number
Enrolled.
Average Number
Belonging.
Average attend-
Per cent. of at.
Per cent. of Tardi-
ness of cach Pu-
Number of Weeks and Days
School.
High School,
110
87.70
84.81
96.92
4.00
38-1
Higher Grammar-Main street, -
47
31.37
29.53
94.13
3.32
36-3
School street,
23
18.16
17.58
96.81
.52
36-3
Lower Grammar-Main street, -
50
38.67
35.21
91.08
6.16
36-3
School street, -
46
32 61
31.36
96.16
.74
36-3
Intermediate-Main street, -
76
48.97
44 74
91.37
1.77
36-2
Union street,
-
46
34 86
33.49
96.07
1.26
36-3
Union street,
30
21.12
19.74
93 47
5.47
36-3
River street, -
38
21.25
20.17
94.92
1 32
36-2
Town Hall, -
-
48
29.65
27.41
92.44
2.00
36-2
Higher Primary -- Elm street,
-
63
48.68
44.92
92.27
3.60
36
School street, -
51
38.08
36.26
95 21
2.00
36-3
Carpenter,
-
58
33.37
31.47
94.31
2.90
36-2.
Lower Primary - Main street.
-
74
43.94
40.72
92.67
3.40
36-2
Town Hall,
-
38
31.26
28.72
91.88
1.45
36-1
Elm street,
-
47
35.52
33.17
93.41
1:13
36-2
School street, -
81
57.36
55.04
95.96
1.13
36-2
Grade I-River street,
61
38 43
37.32
97.09
.46
36-2
Grade II-River street,
-
47
25.50
23.36
91 00
4.76
36-2
Carpenter,
102
55.27
52.17
94.38
3.48
36-2
Mixed Primary-Ammidown,
-
48
35.11
32 64
92 90
2.79
36-1
Sumner, -
-
49
31.42
26.86
85.45
.51
36-3
Ungraded-Bacon,
-
-
18
15.35
14.44
94.09
1.15
36-4
Hooker, -
24
16.97
15.63
92.10
.75
36-1
1275
S70.62
816.76
93.81
2.52
36-3
-
-
-
ance.
tendance.
pil.
148
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Corps of Teachers, March 1, 1898.
NAME.
SALARY.
DATE OF FIRST
ELECTION.
GRADE.
GRADUATEI).
J. T. Clarke,
-
$1,400
1886
F. E. Corbin,
1,300
1886
Calvin C. Brackett,
600
1897
Elizabeth Perry, -
600
1897
Per Month.
Grammar.
Laura E. Shepardson, -
52
1897
IX.
Frances C. Lawrence, -
44
1897
VII and VIII.
Isabel P. Taylor,
46
1890
IX.
Alice Holmes,
46
1878
VII and VIII.
Intermediate.
Louise O. Twombly, -
40
1892
IV and V.
Salem Normal S. Southbridge H. S.
*Mary E. Meagher, Alice B. Aldrich,
40
1887
VI.
-
36
1889
V.
Worcester N. S.
*Jane Farquhar,
36
1887
IV and V. VI.
Margaret E. Dougherty,
36
1897
III.
Wellesley College. Framingham Nor'l. Southbridge H. S.
Southbridge H. S. Southbridge H. S.
Mrs. Susan M. Knight, Mary E. McCabe,
36
1890
I and II.
* Agnes M. Meagher, -
36
1886
I and II.
* Mary A. Ellis, -
36
1883
I.
*Clara P. Chase. Margaret G. Butler, Ida MI. Plimpton,
36
1893
I.
Southbridge H. S.
Mary L. Boardman,
36
1891
Southbridge H. S.
Lizzie E. Morse, -
36
1897
66
Southbridge H. S. Framingham Nor'l. Normal Art School.
*Jennie Simpson, - Anna F. Eager, Adah Childs,
36
1898
Substitute.
H. Genevieve Hyde,
20
1896
Helper. 66
Nettie V. Stone,
20
1895
Southbridge H. S.
Winifred M. Kinney,
16
1896
66
Southbridge H. S.
Carrie M. Holland,
12
1898
66
Southbridge H. S.
Ida M. Brown.
24
1898
Boston K'd'rgarten.
Mrs. H. N. Carpenter.
Music.
Dartmouth College. Williams College. Bates' College. Wellesley College.
Nichols Academy. Framingham Nor'l. Southbridge H. S. Palmer H. S.
Quincy Training S.
Mary E. Clemence,
40
1880
*A. Rebecca Rowley, Martha Cutting, - Mabel J. Newell.
36
1865
III and IV.
36
1885
HI and III.
36
1892
I and II.
36
1858
I and II.
Southbridge H. S. Quincy Training. Southbridge H. S. Southbridge H. S. Brimfield H. S.
36
1896
II and III.
40
1886
Ungraded.
Southbridge H. S.
yr.500
1896
Drawing.
Worcester Normal. Southbridge H. S.
32
1897
66
Superintendent. Principal H. S. Assistant.
P. O. address, Globe Village, Mass.
149
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Attendance Roll of Honor.
List of pupils reported as perfect in attendance, neither absent nor tardy during the year. Others have always been in their places except when detained by sickness.
Exilia Demers, Alice Sanders,
Katherine Flood,
Charles Wood, Arthur Blanchard.
Arthur Lacroix,
Maude Phipps, Ernest Simmons, Willie Flood,
Telesphore Leduc, Wm. J. O'Halloran, Eugene L. Tetrault,
Margaret B. Toben, Marion Morse,
Chrissie Keyes,
Marjorie Morse, Zetta Morse.
Perfect in attendance two terms :
Lizzie Kelley,
Lucy Reed,
Minnie Ellanı,
Nellie Thompson,
Adelbert Chamberlin Arthur Stevenson,
Ita Morse.
Walter Maguire, Etta Herber,
Louis Leduc,
Walter S. Malloy,
Henry Kendall,
John Brennan,
Annie Vincellette,
John Coggans, Ida Ferron,
Amede Delage, Albert Brousseau,
Wilfred Brousseau,
Joseph Duhamel, Evelyn Gagnon,
George Dumas, Eugenie Tetrault, Lydie Tetrault,
Eva Des Marchais,
Fred Tetrault,
Mary Tetrault,
Russell Morse,
Permina Des Marchais.
119 others have been perfect in attendance one term.
The school census of last May, as returned by the enroll- ment officer, gave 1,708 children between the ages of 5 and 15-an increase of 57 over the previous year. The enrollment in the schools is 33 more than last year. The per cent. of attendance for the year is 93.81, showing a more regular attend- ance than at any time for the past six years except for the year 1895-6. This is not so good as is desired, or as it would be if all teachers had classes of reasonable size, so that the pupils could be looked after more sharply.
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