USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1860-1869 > Part 15
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Committee have no pay, when a Superintendent is chosen, unless fixed by the town.
The general success of our schools the past year has been good. There was only one partial failure in summer, and two that were not very successful in winter. The want of good success was caused mainly by poor discipline. We will state that the dis- cipline, with these exceptions, has been good and generally se- cured by good means. In all the winter schools there were about 40 cases of corporal punishment, and more than half of these were in two schools. For a guide in this matter of punishing we will refer to the Regulations. The teachers have been very faithful and devoted to their work, and their labors and example have conduced to the advancement of the scholars in their studies and the development of correct principles and good character. In my work, I have made it iny duty to investigate beyond the ap- pearances and surface of teaching, and have found many thorough and practical results.
We have before stated the component influences which are re- quired to make a good school ; and we may add two others equal- ly important,-the influence of the family or society, together with the church or sabbath school. These combined-the school, family and church-constitute the grand influences which pro- duce intelligence and character in the young; and that their influence may produce the right results,-in discouraging in- temperance, profanity, untruthfulness, dishonesty, vulgarity, and all forms of immorality,-and that they may enhance the op- posite virtues, they need the vigilance and guidance of all intel- ligent and morally interested persons.
For the success which has been conferred, and for the good in- fluence the schools have had upon principles of intelligence, morality and virtue, we would render our thanks to a wise and gracious Providence, and ask that we may be led into a more perfect and practical understanding of sound principles of use- fulness, intelligence, character and christianity.
SIMEON J. DUNBAR, Superintendent.
5
34
Approved by JOSEPH KINGMAN, Chairman. CYRUS ALGER, JOSIAH Q. HARTWELL, PARDON COPELAND, FRANCIS E. HOWARD, BRADFORD PACKARD, JONATHAN C. KEITH, C. W. RICHARDS, SIMEON J. DUNBAR, School Committee of West Bridgewater. MARCH 1, 1867.
SUMMER SCHOOLS.
NAMES OF THE SCHOOLS.
Whole number of pupils
attending school.
Average attendance, ex-
pressed decimally.
Per cent. of attendance.
Tardy marks during the
Number of individual
visits in the term, ex-
Number of parents' visits
Number of visiters pres-
ent at examination.
ent at examination.
Length of school, it
Wages per month, in-
Amount paid for teach-
ing.
Cocheett.
¿ G. D. S P. D.
38 51
27.2 43
71.5 84.3
121
32
2
15
25
12
$28.00 22.00
$84.00 66.00
Jerusalem.
39
30.3
77.6
38
2
1
1
-
0
28.00
63.00
North Center.
34
27.8
81.7
129
21
2
12
27
12
24.00
72.00
Old No. 4.
27
20
74
75
26
00
OC
18
16 2-5
22.00
90.00
East.
56
45.1
80.5
160
16
60
26
46
12
24.00
72.00
Beaver.
71
56
78.8
266
37
1
9
54
16
*44.00
+
¿ Spring. Old No. 7, { Fall.
76
54.9
72.2
158
9
4
-
-
12
28.00
84.00
61
38.7
63.4
127
15
4
11
33
12
28.00
84.00
North,
Cc
26.3
93.9
12
15
2
30
27
12
26.00
78.00
Totals.
481
1369.3
777.9
1,119
196
29
126
274
125 2-5
$274.00
$693.00
*The Principal received $30 per month, the Assistant $14 per month.
+Paid in East Bridgewater.
CC
cluding board.
33
23
4
15
44
12
Number of scholars pres-
weeks.
term.
cept examination.
during the term.
-
WINTER SCHOOLS.
NAMES OF THE SCHOOLS.
Whole number of pupils
attending school.
pressed decimally.
Per cent. of attendance.
Tardy marks during the
of individual
visits during the term,
except examination.
Number of parents' visits
Number of visiters pres-
Number of scholars pres-
Length of school in
Wages per month, inclu-
Amount paid for teach-
ing.
Cochesett.
¿ G. D. P. D.
50 37
39.1 31
78 2 83.7
103
37
2
17
39
12
$10.00 26.00
$120.00 78.00
Jerusalem.
40
33
82.5
55
00
1
12
29
12
32.00
96.00
*North Centre.
35
30.5
87.1
63
23
5
-
1
12
24.00
72.00
*East.
56
42.8
76.4
225
19
4
12
40.00
120.00
Beaver.
56
47.5
84.8
175
16
5
38
43
111-5
56.37
+90.66
Centre.
70
52.4
74.8
222
39
6
29
42
12
±64.00
192.00
South.
50
40
80.
217
12
0
-
-
12
32.00
96.00
North.
34
30.5
89.7
15
24
1
25
31
12
28.00
84.00
Totals.
428
346.8
737.2
1,084
193
26
128
207
107 1-5
$342.37
$948.66
*These schools have not closed ; the statistics were taken as far as they had gone. Amount paid to Beaver for the year. Ascertained by dividing $1700 raised by
Town, and $137.55) received from School Fund, by 421, the number of scholars in
town on Ist of May, 1866, between 5 and 15 years of age, and multiplying the quotient
($4.3647 by 21, the number of scholars between 5 and 15 living within the limits of
Beaver district, in this Town. The whole number of different scholars of this town
who have attended Beaver School sometime during the year, is 24,-2 of them over
+ Of this amount the Principal received $40 per month, the Assistant $24 per month.
15 years of age.
9
17
2
7
23
12
ding board.
term.
Number
during term.
ent at examination.
ent at examination.
weeks.
36
-
-
Average attendance. ex-
37
REGULATIONS
OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, AND OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.
MARCH 1, 1867.
The Board of School Committee are vested, by the laws of the Commonwealth, with the exclusive charge and administration of all the public schools in town .* All school property is placed in their custody .* The disbursement of all monies raised bythe town, for the support of schools, is committed to their judgment and discretion.t And as they are responsible to the citizens of the town for a faithful performance of their duties and a judi- cious exercise of their powers, some prudent and practical Regu- lations should govern their action and the management of the schools.
ARTICLE 1ST .- SPRING MEETING OF THE BOARD.
An annual meeting of the Board, to be called by the Secre- tary of the previous year, at a place designated by him, shall be held on Wednesday evening following the March election.
Order of Business for this Meeting.
1st. To choose by ballot a Chairman for the year.
2nd. To choose by ballot a Secretary # for the year.
3rd. To choose by ballot a Superintendent # for the year, if the town authorizes and the Committee think it expedient; but if not, Visiting Committees shall be appointed for the several schools. If one of the Board is chosen Superintendent, the same person shall be the Secretary.
4th. To appoint Local Committees for the year, for the seve- ral schools.
*General Statutes, Chapter -, Section 16 and Section 36.
+Revised Statutes, chapter 23, Section 32 .- 1859, chapter 250, Sections 4 and 5.
+ General Statutes, Chapter 38, Sections 35 and 22.
38
5th. To determine what repairs shall be made, (subject to a vote of the town,) on the school houses and grounds during the year; and by whom and when they shall be made; and what amount of money shall be paid to Beaver School for the year, for the scholars of this town who attend there.
6th. To determine the wants of the several schools, or the kind of teachers needed for the summer term.
7th. To determine the wages of the teachers and the length of the schools for the summer term.
Sth. To make provisions, and appoint a time, for the ex- amination # and approval * of Teachers.
9th. To do any other business which may come before the meeting.
ARTICLE 2D .- AUGUST MEETING.
The Secretary shall call a meeting, at a place designated by him, on the evening of the third Thursday of August. The order of business for this meeting shall commence and proceed from the Sixth Article in the business of the spring meeting, and have special reference to the Winter Schools.
ARTICLE 3D .- FEBRUARY MEETING.
The Secretary shall call a meeting at a place designated by him, on some evening within two weeks previous to the first of March, for the purpose of placing in the hands of the Secretary and Superintendent all necessary statistics and suggestions in closing up the business of the school year, and preparing the Annual School Report.
ARTICLE 4TH .- DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY.
The Chairman shall preside over all meetings, maintain an observance of the rules of the Board, and request the Secretary · to call any special meeting whenever he may think it necessary.
The Secretary shall notify all meetings ; perform the ordinary duties of his office, preserve all papers relating to the business of the Board, and prepare for the Annual Report an exhibit of the financial condition of the schools,-showing the amount paid for teaching, and a complete list of all items of expense for the schools ; and, with the suggestions from the Local Committees,
* General Statutes, Chapter 38, Section 23.
39
make an estimate of the appropriation necessary to defray the expenses of the ensuing school year.
ARTICLE 5TH .- DUTIES OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEES.
It shall be the duty of local committees to take charge of all school property assigned to their care, keep it in proper repair and good condition, keep the school-yards neat and orderly, and supply all needful furniture and apparatus ; to provide fuel, and appoint, with the approval of the teachers, if necessary, suitable persons to take care of the fires and school-rooms; to contract for teachers under the direction, and subject to the approval of the Board ;* to present to the Secretary, in writing, a list of all the bills of expense, with items, incurred at their order during the year; to visit the schools in their respective limits, once at least during cach term; and attend the examination ; and to prosecute all necessary cases under the following statute :
[GEN. STAT., CHAP. 161.]
SEC. 67 .- " Whoever wilfully and maliciously, or wantonly and without cause, destroys, defaces, mars, or injures any school- house, church, or other building erected or used for the purpose of education or religious instruction, or for the general diffusion of knowledge; or any of the out-buildings, fences, walls, or appurtenances of such school-house, church, or other building, or any furniture, apparatus, or other property belonging to, or connected with, such school-house, church, or other building, shall be punished by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the jail not exceeding one year."
ARTICLE 6TH .- PAYMENT OF TEACHERS AND ORDERS OF LOCAL COMMITTEES.
When any teacher has " properly filled up, and deposited with the Superintending Committee,"+ his or her register, and received a certificate to that effect, such certificate, with his or her bill approved by the local committee, shall be deposited with the Selectmen,¿ who will give an order on the Treasurer for the amount of said bill. All bills of expenditure incurred by the
General Statutes, Chapter 38, Section 23.
+ Chapter 40, Section 13.
¿ General Statutes, Chapter 38, Section 24.
40
local committee shall be paid at their order by a draft from the Selectmen on the Treasurer.
ARTICLE 7TH .- QUORUM AND AMENDMENT.
A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business ; and any vote passed at any meeting shall receive the sanction of a majority of those present.
Any of these Regulations respecting the Board or the Schools, may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the whole Board.
ARTICLE 8TH .- COMMENCEMENT AND LENGTH, HOLIDAYS, VISITING SCHOOLS AND ASSOCIATIONS.
The Summer and Winter schools shall commence respectively on the first Monday of May and the first Monday after Thanks- giving, and shall continue, at least, twelve weeks,“ and as much longer as the appropriation of the town will carry them, provided that all schools shall be the same length. Teachers shall be allowed one half day in each term to visit schools of the town, and one day in the Summer term to attend the Plymouth County Teachers' Association,t provided the time is spent in no other way.
There shall be no school on Saturdays, and the following holi- days shall be observed during the year :- Fourth of July, Christmas, Washington's Birthday, and all Thanksgivings and Fasts appointed by the Executive of the State or Nation.
No school shall be suspended, except as herein provided, with- out a vote of the Board or consent of the local committee.
ARTICLE 9TH .- SESSIONS, INTERMISSIONS, AND DISMISSALS.
Each daily session shall commence at nine o'clock and continue six hours, with an intermission of one hour and a half in the Summer and one hour in the Winter, with a recess of about fifteen minutes for each scholar in each half day ;- provided a scholar does not forfeit his recess by misconduct.
In cases of absence or tardiness, each scholar shall furnish to the teacher, in writing or otherwise, a satisfactory excuse for being thus tardy or absent ; nor without such satisfactory excuse,
* General Statutes, Chapter 38, Section 1.
t General Statutes, Chapter 35, Section 4.
41
from parent or guardian, shall any pupil be dismissed during school hours, except in cases of sickness or necessity ; provided, nevertheless, that whenever teachers shall judge that the welfare of their pupils or the school will thus be promoted, they may dismiss the lower classes whenever they shall have finished all their recitations.
Cases of protracted absence or tardiness shall be reported to the Superintendent or local committee * whose duty shall be in co-operation with the teacher to investigate the reasons of such delinquency, and endeavor to secure a better attendance.
ARTICLE 10-DISCIPLINE, SUSPENSION, MORALITY AND VIRTUE.
Teachers shall practice a kind and judicious, but firm and decided discipline, avoiding all indiscreet haste, and employing corporal punishment only as a last resort; and shall inflict no blows upon the head, adopt no immoderate manner, nor make use of any unreasonable instrument in punishing which may lead to a permanent injury of the scholar. They shall keep a record of all cases of corporal punishment, with the scholar's name, nature of offense and degree of punishment, and when difficult cases occur may apply to the local committee or Superintendent for counsel or assistance.
Unmanageable pupils + who are very injurious to the school, or those who are suffering from a contagious disease, * as a last resort only for the school's welfare, may be suspended by the teacher ; provided that such case of suspension shall be notified to the parent or guardian and local committee immediately after its commission, and if ratified by the local committee such pupil shall thus be temporarily suspended until the first opportunity the Board # shall have to act upon the case.
The circulation of any books, papers, pamphlets and adver- tisements of an immoral nature or derogatory and unhealthy in the influence upon the mind and character of the pupils ; intoxi- cating drinks and the use of tobacco in any form ; and vulgar and profane language and licentious conduct,-shall not be allowed in or about the schools or school premises.
* General Statutes, Chapter 38, Section 11.
+ 8 Cush. 160.
# 23 Pick., 224 ; 5 Cush., 198.
6
42
All teachers, according to the requirements of the laws of the Commonwealth shall "exert their best endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth committed to their care and instruction, the principles of piety and justice and a sacred regard to truth ; love of their country, humanity, and universal benevolence ; sobriety, industry, and frugality ; chastity, moder- ation and temperance; and those other virtues which are the ornament of human society, and the basis upon which a republi- can constitution is founded."*
ARTICLE 11TH .- USE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY AND DAMAGES.
All school property shall be used for no other purposes, than for school, except by consent of the Board,-provided, that in any special case, whenever any local committee deems it within bounds of expediency and propriety, he may consent to the use of school property committed to his charge for other purposes, being himself entirely responsible for its proper care.
During the school sessions the teachers shall be responsible for the proper care of all school property committed to their charge ; and they shall endeavor to ascertain all damages done by their pupils and exact payment for the same under the direction of the local committee who shall take all legal measures to require amends for injuries done by any persons and not willingly paid for
ARTICLE 12TH .- DUTIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
The Superintendent appointed by the School Committee "under the direction and control of said committee, shall have the care and supervision of the schools"-"not in his own right, but always as the agent or servant of the school committee."+ He shall visit the schools as the committee are required by law, ; and "inquire into the regulations and discipline of the schools, and the habits and proficiency of the scholars therein," in co- operation with the teachers; shall make such suggestions in regard to discipline, classification, study, teaching, and the care of school property as he thinks will best promote the welfare of
* General Statutes, Chapter 38, Section 10.
+ General Statutes, Chapter 38 Section 5, Report of Secretary of Board of Education for 1861, page 108.
+ General Statutes, Chapter 38. Section 26.
43
the school, and have teachers meet together when he deems it profitable or expedient ; he "shall cause the register to be faith- fully kept," * and prepare for the school committee "blank forms of inquiry, duly filled up," to be returned to the Secretary of the Board of Education ; shall, for the committee, "annually make a detailed report t of the condition of the several public schools, which report shall contain such statements and suggestions in relation to the schools as the committee deem necessary or proper
to promote the interests thereof;" shall make such statements or recommendations to the committee as in his judgment will advance the interests of the schools, and perform all duties requir- ed by the Board ; and scholars shall pass from one grade of school to another under his direction. +
In case no Superintendent is chosen, his duties shall be per- formed by visiting' committee or committees in connection with the Secretary.
ARTICLE 13TH .- OBSERVANCE OF REGULATIONS, CO-OPERATION, AND UNIFORMITY.
It shall be the duty of any member of the Board to require an observance of these Regulations. If (unless it be in some very special case,) a teacher wishes to depart from them, he shall get the consent of the local committee.
The Committee shall endeavor to secure a uniformity in the length of the schools, and as far as possible, an equality in the wages and qualifications of teachers, as adapted to the respective schools.
The Superintendent shall endeavor to secure a uniform system of discipline and instruction, so far as it relates to the interests of the schools.
The Superintendent, local committee and teacher, shall consult together about the schools, and give each other such information as will enable them to co-operate towards their welfare.
All matters not herein specified, relating to the duties of local committees, are left to their discretion, under the direction of the Statutes and subject to the approval of the Board; and duties not herein specified, relating to the management of schools, are
* General Statutes, Chapter 40, Sections 5 and 6.
+ Report of Secretary of Board of Education, for 1861, page 99.
44
left to the judgment and good sense of the teacher, under the supervision of the Superintendent, in conformity with the school laws.
ARTICLE 14TH .- TEXT BOOKS.
The following Text-Books shall be used in the schools of West Bridgewater; and no other books shall be permanently introduced, except by unanimous consent of the Board." But a teacher may make temporary use of any books or pamphlets to facilitate or improve the teaching of any particular branch by con- sent of the Superintendent, subject to the Board's approval. The Committee shall make arrangements and provide suitable places where pupils can obtain school books ;} and shall cause, under the direction of the Superintendent, all scholars to be sufficiently supplied with school books according to law.t
LIST OF TEXT BOOKS.
Reading .- Bible ; Sargent's First Series; Philbrick's Punctu- ation Chart.
Spelling .- The Progressive Speller and Definer ; and Webster's Dictionaries.
Penmanship .- Writing books with copies in them ; and Phil- brick's Writing Chart.
English Grammar .- Tower's First Lessons, Common School.
Mathematics .- Eaton's Series of Arithmetics, but the Treatise or High School to be used in no case until the Common School is comple.ed ; and Davie's Algebra and Geometry.
History .- Quackenbos' of the United States.
Physiology .- Cutter's.
Book-keeping .- Mayhew's.
N. B .- A copy of these Regulations shall be supplied to each school, and to each member of the School Committee.
* General Statutes, Chapter 38, Section 28.
+ General Statutes, Chapter 38, Sections 29, 30, 31 and 32.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SELECTMEN, OVERSEERS OF THE POOR,
AND
TOWN CLERK
OF THE
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER :
ALSO THE
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1868.
NORTH BRIDGEWATER : PRINTED AT THE GAZETTE OFFICE. 1868.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SELECTMEN, OVERSEERS OF THE POOR,
AND
TOWN CLERK
OF THE
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER :
ALSO THE
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1868.
NORTH BRIDGEWATER :
PRINTED AT THE GAZETTE OFFICE. 1868.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
The Selectmen of the town of West Bridgewater submit the following Report, showing the receipts, expenditures, and finan- cial condition of said town for the year ending March 1, 1868.
Balance in the Treasury, March 1, 1867, $3,062 20
Received on tax bills of 1867,
15,017 83
From State School Fund, 190 30
State Treasury, corporation taxes for for 1866 and 1867, 1,046 15
State Treasury, a part of the aid to soldiers and families in 1865 and 1866, 1,800 00
bills due the Almshouse,
111 62
a tax of 1866, 2 61
loan of Monument Association,
1,706 31
Azel Howard,
1,000 00
Amasa Howard,
500 00
F. E. Howard,
70 00
Nathan Copeland,
500 00
F. Dunbar,
1,050 00
Howard & Washburn,
3,450 00
B. Packard,
300 00
C. Packard, 200 00
$30,007 52
4
The amount paid by the Treasurer during the year is as follows, viz :
Paying State Tax, $5,100 00
· County Tax, 1,121 23
A. Leach's Note and interest, 20 23
C. H. Colwell, interest, 10 20
A. T. Jones, printing Reports, 83 48
66 6 Blanks,
4 25
for Collector, 7 00
B. Howard, for use of Town Hall, 75 00
J. Howard, for Selectmen's office,
20 00
Wm. Prophett, for Hearse,
483 50
For fitting up Room for Hearse, 28.16
George Talbot, for work on Road in 1861,
23 12
A. Copeland, for repairing Guide Posts, 36 50
H. A. Davis, for sealing Weights and Measures of the Town, 8 00
Flushing Cornwall, for damage sustained on the Ozier Road, 10 00
Chas. Perkins, supplies to Almshouse, 481 16
O. Ames & Sons, saw bills for 1866 and 1867, 56 84
H. Howard & Co., for neat stock (old bill), 72 50
S. L. Pratt, for horse, carriage and harness, 175 00
E. Hancock, for services as Warden, at Alms- house, 237 50
A. S. Edson, for painting, &c., at Almshouse, 46 47
J. Howard, for meat for Almshouse, 28 70
Support of Poor out of Almshouse,
176 78
Aid to Soldiers and their families, 1440 19
57 54
B. Edson, interest,
18 00
F. E. Howard, Note,
522 50
N. J. Howard, interest,
60 00
Geo. Copeland, Notes,
599 15
F. Dunbar, Notes,
854 84
A. Howard, Note,
505 25
N. Copeland, Note,
505 83
Howard & Washburn, Notes,
3,479 31
E. F. Howard, Note and interest,
5
Paying Wm. Baylies' heirs, Note, 1,088 86
Town officers, &c., 468 32
Abatement of taxes for 1866 and 1867, 68 16
Otis Hayward, serving Collector's warrant, 2 00
For exchange of School Books by the School Committee, 101 10
For Maps, Charts, &c., by School Committee, 15 05
For Books furnished to Children by School Committee, 8 43
For Books for Teachers by School Committee,
2 54
F. E. Howard for a lot for Primary School- house in Center District, 80 00
For moving and repairing said house,
769 29
For repairing other School Houses, 350 78
For support of Schools,
2,331 37
For Repairs of Highways and Bridges,
2,628 97
For repairing road-scrapers,
3 25
For Blank Books and Stationery,
13 95
Express and postage,
1 20
Other items, 8 65
Six per cent. discount on taxes of 1867,
899 43
$25,189 58
LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN.
Outstanding Notes, with interest,
$8,105 31
Of the appropriation of 1867 for Schools,
824 44
Of the appropriation of 1867 for Roads,
302 18
$9,231 93
ASSETS.
Balance in the Treasury,
$4,817 94
Due from the State for aid to Soldiers and their families, 1,853 15
$6,671 09
Balance against the Town,
2,560 84
$9,231 93
6
SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS.
Balance in the Treasury, March 1, 1868,
$965 51
Appropriation, 1867, Received from the State School Fund,
190 30
$3,155 81
Amount drawn from the Treasury,
2,331 37
Balance of School money,
$824 44
CENTRE DISTRICT.
Paid Miss E. C. Crafts,
$90 00
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