USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1914-1919 > Part 42
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109
Amount brought forward. $80,762.42
Income E. D. Metcalf Fund. 80.00
County Treasurer, Dog Licenses 378.10
Oiling Acton and Lowell Roads. 300.00
County Treasurer, Graniteville Road 1,169.82
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., on acct. fires
44.95
John Perkins, rent. 108.00
W. C. Roudenbush, Domestic Science Class
32.97
Income Whitney Shade Tree Fund
99.89
I. W. Wheeler, coll. tax, 1918.
817.98
L. W. Wheeler, coll. tax, 1918, interest ...
23.22
L. W. Wheeler, collection fees.
76.32
L. W. Wheeler, coll. tax, 1919
43,998.24
L. W. Wheeler, coll. tax, 1919, interest ... Whitney Playground Funds income
230.00
G. E. Greenough, gravel.
40.00
H. L. Nesmith, repair fire extinguishers. .. 4.00
B. & M. R. R., redemption school tickets. . .
13.99
W. C. Roudenbush, supplies.
4.68
W. C. Roudenbush, Senior Class Gift. ..
20.00
D. Sherman, Leland Land. 495.00
Merrimack River Savings Bank, on acct. D. May 12.19
Reimbursement, Mrs. Wm. Flongon
205.00
Talbot Tyewood & Chemical Co.
4.48
Town Groton, tuition.
92.25
Reimbursement, Mrs. Desjardin.
57.00
A. A. Hildreth, Sealer of Weights and Measurers 40.21
Est. C. G. Sargent, sidewalk. 94.75
Am. Ex. Co., rebate. .49
PAYMENTS.
Notes
$ 25,800.00
Interest
961.50
County tax
4,125.50
State tax
8,030.00
Special State tax. 481.80
Orders
64,805.66
Amount carried forward
$129,234.55$104,204.46
28.60
110
Amount brought forward. $129,234.55$104,204.46
Repairs State Highway.
989.80
G. E. Greenough, bal. due on order No. D885 (1918) 565.45
Mechanics Savings Bank, income acct. Shade Trees 99.89
Merrimack River Savings Bank, income acct. Soldiers' Monument.
216.20
Central Savings Bank, income Perpetual Care Funds
1,078.04
Central Savings Bank, Perpetual Care Funds
250.00
Merrimack River Savings Bank, Perpetual Care Funds 50.00
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1920. 21,780.71
$129,234.55$129,234.55
HARWOOD L. WRIGHT,
Treasurer.
111
Auditor's Report.
I have made the usual examination of the books of the Town Officers and as a result of my examination I herewith submit the following report, together with a statement of the financial condition of the Town of Westford on January 1, 1920.
TAXES.
To Debit of L. W. Wheeler, Collector, for year 1918: To balance to collect as per Audit of Jan. 8, 1919 $ 833.05
Additions since last Audit.
.93
Past due interest and collection fees col- lected 69.82
$ 903.80
By collections
$ 887.80
By abatements
16.00
$ 903.80
To Excise Tax to collect for 1918 as per
Assessors' Warrant. $ 562.07
Balance to collect. $ 562.07
To Debit of L. W. Wheeler, Collector, for the year 1919 :
To amount of tax levy as per Assessors' Warrant as follows:
778 Polls at $2.00.
$ 1,556.00
Tax on Personal Property
12,422.68
Tax on Real Estate.
29,861.37
Moth and Lead Tax.
873.02
$44,713.07
Additions since issue of Warrant as per
Assessors' Notices. 435.74
Interest and Collection Fees
58.32
$45,207.13
Amount carried forward
$45,207.13
112
Amount brought forward. $45,207.13
Less Abatements for the year as per As- sessors' Notices 243.05
$44,964.08
By Collections to January 5, 1920.
44,056.56
Balance to collect $ 907.52
To Excise Tax to collect, as per Assessors' Warrant $ 495.07
Balance to collect
$
495.07
TOWN CLERK.
The Town Clerk issued during the year licenses for :
166 Male Dogs at $2.00. $ 332.00
19 Female Dogs at $5.00 95.00
$ 427.00
Less Clerk's Fee, 185 at 20 cents. 37.00
Balance paid to County Treasurer and
receipted for by him. $ 390.00
SELECTMEN.
The Selectmen drew 847 orders on the Treasurer during the year, amounting to $64,805.66. Cancelled voucher checks were found on file with the Treasurer for all of these payments except three (3) which had not been deposited at time of Audit. The amounts of these three checks were found to be correct as per corresponding orders drawn.
TOWN FARM. Mr. C. S. Ripley, Superintendent.
Balance cash on hand January 2, 1919. . $ 93.89 Total cash receipts from all sources during the year 5,505.38
$5,599.27
By expenditures for the year 5,571.39
Balance cash on hand January 2, 1920. . $ 27.88
113
TREASURER.
To balance cash on hand Dec. 31, 1918 .. $22,443.11
Receipts from all sources during year. . 106,791.44
$129,234.55 By total payments for year ending Dec. 31, 1919 $107,453.84 By cash on hand December 31, 1919. . 21,780.71
$129,234.55
STATEMENT OF CONDITION.
ASSETS.
1919 Taxes remaining uncollected. 907.52
1919 Excise Tax uncollected. 495.07
1918 Excise Tax uncollected. 562.07
Due from State Aid. 432.00
Due from Military Aid. 108.00
Balance cash on hand with Supt. of Town
Farm
27.88
Balance cash on hand with Treasurer.
21,780.71
$24,313.25
LIABILITIES.
Due State Treasurer on Schoolhouse Loan (W. E. Frost) $3,000.00
Two months' interest on same at 41/4 per cent. 21.25
Due State Treasurer on acct. E. M. Abbot firehouse 500.00
Eight and one-half months' interest on same at 4 per cent .. 14.16
Due State Treasurer on account Granite- ville Road. 3,200.00
Four months' interest on same at 5 per cent. 53.33
$ 6,788.74
Balance $17,524.51 This balance December 31, 1918 was .... $14,438.98
114
LIST OF FUNDS.
E. D. METCALF MONUMENT FUND. Two $1,000.00 Erie R. R. Co.'s 4 per cent. Gold Bonds, Nos. 7243-7375. $2,000.00
$2,000.00
INCOME FUND FROM ABOVE ACCOUNT. Merrimack River Savings Bank. $ 216.20
$ 216.20
LIBRARY FUNDS.
In Savings Banks
$4,000.00
Wilkin's Bequest
150.00
Interest on same. 82.73
$4,232.73
WHITNEY PLAYGROUND.
Interest
Two $1,000.00 Am. Tel. & Tel. Co.'s
Bonds, Nos. 30,040-30,041 .... $2,000.00
Two $1,000.00 Spencer Gas. Co.'s Bonds, Nos. 46-47. :
2,000.00
One $1,000.00 City of Canton Bond
1,000.00
Lowell Institution for Savings. ..
526.59
Lowell Institution for Savings
1,000.00
$ 34.00
Central Savings Bank.
1,000.00
34.00
Merrimack River Savings Bank. .
1,000.00
34.00
Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank. .
1,000.00
34.00
City Institution for Savings. 1,000.00
36.53
$10,526.59 $172.53 $10,699.12
Mrs. M. Elizabeth Whitney $2,500 Fund for the care and preservation and
replacing of shade trees
Mechanics Savings Bank.
$ 500.00
Two $1,000.00 Liberty Bonds. 2,000.00
$2,500.00
INCOME FUND FOR ABOVE ACCOUNT.
Mechanics Savings Bank. $ 99.89
$ 99.89
115
CEMETERY FUNDS.
Interest
Central Savings Bank. $1,850.00
Lowell Institution for Savings .. 350.00
City Institution for Savings ... 250.00 $107.79
Mechanics Savings Bank. . ..
1,225.00
Merrimack River Savings Bank. .
1,350.00
Five Cent Savings Bank.
1,995.25
Liberty Bonds of 2nd Issue.
600.00
Liberty Bonds of 3rd Issue.
1,700.00
$9,320.25 $107.79 $9,428.04
Interest drawn from Perpetual Care
Funds and deposited in an Income
Fund for Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds :
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds :
Lowell Five Cent Savings. 735.02
Lowell Institution for Savings. 7.90
Merrimack River Savings Bank.
29.63
Lowell Five Cent Savings.
44.93
Merrimack, River Savings
29.25
Lowell Institution for Savings
7.90
Central Savings 59.70
Interest on Income Account.
12.21
Coupons from $1,300.00 3rd Liberty Loan
55.25
Coupons from $1,700.00 3rd Liberty Loan 72.25
Coupons from $600.00 2nd Liberty Loan
24.00
$1,078.04
INCOME FUND.
Above interest invested in an Income Fund as follows :
Liberty Bonds 3rd Issue
$1,300.00
Central Savings Bank. 1,440.24
$ 2,740.24
$31,916.22
All Bank Books and Securities are with the Town Treasurer with the exception of the Whitney Playground Bonds which are in the keeping of Edward Fisher for the Committee. FREDERICK SMITH,
Auditor.
116
WARRANT FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
MIDDLESEX, SS.
To the Constable of the Town of Westford, in said County :
GREETING :
You are hereby required, in the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, to notify and warn all the inhabitants of said Town qualified to vote in elections, and also in Town affairs, to meet at the Town House, in said Westford, on Monday, February 9, 1920, being the second Monday in said month at 7.45 o'clock A. M. The polls will be opened at eight o'clock A. M., and may be closed at one o'clock P. M., and they are then and there to act upon the following articles, to wit :
1st. To choose a Moderator.
2nd. To bring in their votes for one Selectman, one Overseer of the Poor, one Assessor, two members School Com- mittee, one Commissioner of Public Burial Grounds, one Trustee of the Public Library, one member Board of Health, all for three years; one member School Com- mittee (to fill unexpired term), one member Board of Health, for two year ; Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Constable, Auditor, Tree Warden, and one member Board of Health, all for one year; also to vote on the following question : "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of in- toxicating liquors in this Town ?"
3rd. To hear the report of the Finance Committee, and act in relation to the same.
4th. To hear the report of the Selectmen, and act in relation to the same.
117
5th. To hear the report of the Selectmen on Guide Boards, and act in relation to the same.
6th. To hear the report of the Overseers of the Poor, and act in relation to the same.
7th. To hear the report of the School Committee, and act in relation to the same.
8th. To hear the report of the Trustees, and raise and, appro- priate money to meet the expenses of the Public Library, and act in relation to the same.
9th. To hear the report of the Commissioners of Public Burial Grounds, and act in relation to the same.
10th. To see if the Town will accept the report of the Auditor chosen to audit the accounts of the Town Officers, and act in relation to the same.
11th. To see if the Town will determine the compensation of the Tax Collector, and act in relation to the same.
12th. To raise and appropriate money to repair Roads and Bridges.
13th. To raise and appropriate money for Town Debts and Charges.
14th. To raise and appropriate money for support of Poor.
15th. To raise and appropriate money for the support of the Public Schools, High School purposes, school text-books and supplies, salary of the Superintendent of Schools, repairs and maintenance of, and miscellaneous expenses incurred in connection with the various schoolhouses and medical inspection, and act in relation to the same.
16th. To raise and appropriate money for destruction of gypsy and brown tail moths and elm tree beetles.
118
17th. To raise and appropriate money to meet the expenses of the Fire Department and the recommendation made by the engineers of this department for the purchase of new hose, and act in relation to the same.
18th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate, or borrow, money to purchase a double tank chemical motor ap- paratus for use of the fire department, and act in relation to the same.
19th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate, or borrow, money to purchase three electric sirens to be used for fire alarm purposes and act in relation to the same.
20th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for repairing and painting the cottage house located on the premises of the Fire Department at Westford Centre, and act in relation to the same.
21st. To see if the Town will authorize the use of the Fire House for meetings of the Boys' Club, so called, and act in re- lation to the same.
22nd. To see if the Town will vote to increase the price paid the men for fighting fires as fixed by the vote passed at the Annual Town Meeting held February 11, 1918, and act in relation to the same.
23rd. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money to meet the expenses of the Board of Health and act in re- lation to the same.
24th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $350, to be expended for band concerts at Graniteville, Forge Village and Westford Centre, and act in relation to the same.
25th. To hear the additional report of the Committee appointed to investigate and report concerning the establishment of a monument or other memorial to commemorate the patriotism and valour of the young men of Westford who entered the service of the United States or the Allies in the World War, and act in relation to the same.
119
26th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding fifty dollars ($50) as compensation for a Fish and Game Warden in the event one is appointed for the Town.
27th. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year.
28th. To determine the manner of collecting taxes for the en- suing year, also the rate of interest on taxes remaining unpaid at a time to be fixed by vote of the Town, and when and how said taxes shall be paid into the treasury, and act in relation to the same.
29th.
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money to contribute to the cost of operation and fixed charges in maintaining the Branch Line, so called, of the Lowell & Fitchburg Street Railway Co., and act in relation to the same.
30th.
To choose all other Town officers necessary to be chosen.
31st. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money to commemorate Memorial Day, and act in relation to the same.
32nd. By request of the citizens of Graniteville, Forge Village, and Parkerville, to see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) for the purpose of distributing books from the Public Library in these three villages, and act in relation to the same.
33rd. To see if the Town will vote to increase the compensation of the election officers, as fixed at the Annual Town Meeting held March 16, 1908, and act in relation to the same.
34th. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300) to be used for military pur- poses connected with the maintenance of Company H, 11th Inf .. Massachusetts State Guards, located in this Town, and act in relation to the same.
120
35th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for the construction and grading of sidewalks in the several villages, and act in relation to the same.
36th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $200, and elect a director for demonstration work in agriculture and home economics, the money to be ex- pended by, and the director to serve in co-operation with the County Trustees for Aid to Agriculture of the Middle- sex County Bureau of Agriculture and Home Economics, under the provisions of Chapter 273, General Acts of 1918; it being understood that $100 of this amount shall be used to provide paid supervision of boys' and girls' club work, and act in relation to the same.
37th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for the employment of a public health nurse, and act in re- lation to the same.
38th. To see if the Town will authorize the employment of a. police officer to take charge of the police department of the Town; raise and appropriate money therefor, and act in relation to the same.
39th. To see if the Town will vote to place additional lights on Bridge Street, and act in relation to the same.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting up true and attested copies at the Town House and each Depot in said Westford, eight days at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of holding the meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands, this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Twenty.
OSCAR R. SPALDING, SHERMAN H. FLETCHER, FRANK L. FURBUSH, Selectmen of Westford.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WESTFORD, MASS.
NMOJ
WESTFORD
INCORP
1729. c
RPORATED
22
SEP
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1919
Lowell, Mass. COURIER-CITIZEN COMPANY, PRINTERS
1920
3
School Committee.
JOHN SPINNER Term expires 1920
ARTHUR E. DAY, Secretary
" 1920
CHARLES O. PRESCOTT, Chairman
66
66
1921
T. ARTHUR E. WILSON
1921
JOHN P. WRIGHT
66
1922
FRANK L. FURBUSH
66
1922
.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS HERMAN C. KNIGHT
COMMITTEE ON TEXT BOOKS
CHARLES O. PRESCOTT JOHN P. WRIGHT
SUPPLY AGENT HERMAN C. KNIGHT
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
JOHN A. HEALY JOHN SPINNER
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN CYRIL A. BLANEY, M. D.
4
School Calendar 1920
HIGH SCHOOL
March 12-Winter Term Closes 14 Weeks Vacation One Week
March 22-Spring Term Opens
*June 18-Spring Term Closes 1920-1924
13 Weeks
Sept. 7-Fall Term Opens Nov. 24-Fall Term Closes 12 Weeks
Vacation, Thanksgiving Day and Day After
Nov. 29-Winter Term Opens Christmas Vacation, Dec. 18 to Dec. 26 Inclusive
March 18-Winter Term Closes 15 Weeks Vacation One Week
March 28-Spring Term Begins
*June 24-Spring Term .Closes *Subject to change. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
13 Weeks
Same Calendar as above, except closing date, June 10, 1921, June 11, 1920.
Special Exercise Days and Holidays, 1920.
Feb. 12-Lincoln Exercises, one-half hour. Feb. 20-Washington Exercises, one-half hour.
Apr. 16-Patriots' Day Exercises, one-half hour. May 28-Memorial Day Exercises, one hour.
Oct. 11-Columbus Day Exercises, one-half hour.
Nov. 24-Thanksgiving Exercises, one hour.
LEGAL HOLIDAYS
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, July 4, First Monday of September, October 12, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. (The day following when any of the four first days men- tioned, 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.
5
Teachers in Service Jan. 1, 1920
Academy
Grade Teacher Educated Home Address
9-12 William C. Roudenbush Mrs. H. W. Hildreth Mt. Holyoke Westford Etta Crane Bates Natick
William E. Frost
6-7-8 Mattie A. Crocker
4-5 Grace E. Ranney
2-3 Maud Robinson
1 Edith Wright
Bridgewater Normal Brockton
Framingham Normal Wayland
Fitchburg Normal Westford
Hyannis Normal Westford
Cameron
6-7-8 Letitia W. O'Clair
4-5 Mary A. Garvey
2-3 Abby M. Blaisdell
1 Nellie McGovern
Hyannis Normal Ayer
Lowell Normal No. Chelmsford
Lowell Normal Wamesit
Fitchburg Normal Aver
Sargent
6-7-8 Issie A. Parker
4-5 Lillian Wright
2-3 Mildred Clevette
1 Veronica McNiff
Westford Academy Westford
Lowell Normal Westford
Lowell Normal Lowell
Fitchburg Normal
Littleton
Parkerville
1-8 Agnes Dudley
Lowell Normal Lowell
Music
Mary B. Raynes
School of Music Lowell
Cooking
Alice C. Judge
Concord High Concord
Drawing
Williams College Westford
6
Financial Statement.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation $22,000.00
Received from Mass. School Fund. 962.06
Received from state on account of Supt. of Schools. . 500.00
Received from state on account of teachers' salaries. . 890.00
Received tuition from Town of Groton. 92.25
Rebate on R. R. tickets
13.00
$24,457.31
EXPENDITURES.
Trustees of Westford Academy $ 300.00
Teachers
11,649.23
Transportation
5,294.81
Fuel
1,042.12
Janitors
1,318.50
Cleaning
149.55
Drawing
172.50
Music
385.00
Cooking 163.10
Superintendent
993.26
School Physician
100.00
Text Books and Supplies
830.24
Repairs and Miscellaneous
912.87
Tuition to Town of Tyngsboro
74.69
Truant Officers 21.00
$23,406.87
Balance on Hand Jan. 1, 1920
$1,050.44
7
REPAIRS AND MISCELLANEOUS.
Clerk for Superintendent $ 42.20
Wm. C. Roudenbush, supplies. 1.75
Blodgett & Co., supplies 3.79
Lowell Electric Light Corp., lights 28.42
Express and Freight 2.74
Westford Water Co. 222.00
Adams & Co., supplies 38.75
Russell Furbush, labor and supplies
5.85
A. M. Greer, typewritter supplies
8.35
H. I. Dallman Co., cooking supplies
4.72
J. Herbert Fletcher, supplies
16.48
Chas. E. Woodhull, care of piano
21.00
Frank H. Hill, expenses
72.55
John T. Thompson, services
30.00
Henry C. Doughty, supplies
37.50
Butterfield Printing Co., printing
14.50
Titania Orchestra, services 15.00
Wright & Fletcher, supplies 88.84
Wm. E. Tompson, labor
1.50
J. A. Healy & Sons, labor. 15.00
54.50
J. J. Carr, supplies.
47.96
Chas. A. Eaton, repairs 5.00
Mrs. A. M. Buckshorn, cooking supplies. 1.00
Fletcher Cold Spring Farm, cooking supplies 1.00
Edgar F. Nutting, repairs 8.00
John Spinner, repairs 17.05
C. O. Prescott, making state report. 10.00
A. W. Hartford, advertising 4.00
Joe Wall, repairs 56.63
Talbot Dyewood & Chemical Co., supplies .90
Mrs. J. E. Knight 20.00
$912.87
H. S. Stiles, repairs 16.17
Union Sheet Metal Co., supplies
8
Superintendent's Report.
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
Following is my tenth annual report, the twenty-eighth in the series of superintendents' reports.
Note the following changes in the teaching force of the schools at the beginning of the present school year: Miss Blaisdell at Forge in the place of Miss Clevette; Miss Clevette at Graniteville in place of Miss Hosmer; a substitute at Graniteville in Miss Wright's room; a substitute at the William E. Frost school in Mrs. Whiting's place; a substitute in this building in Miss Edith Wright's room; Miss Dudley at Parkerville in place of Miss Burdick; Miss Crane in the Academy in place of Mrs. Hildreth; Mrs. Hildreth employed for half time taking the English classes in the Academy.
I am glad to report that both Miss Edith Wright and Miss Lillian Wright are now back in their respective rooms. Since the opening of the fall term we have had three teachers in the William E. Frost grammar school room, and at the present writing the future of this room is in doubt. Three grades are now seated in it; by reason of the excessive number of pupils. in the primary room, the second grade having to be moved to 'the room above, Miss Ranney's fourth grade having to be sent along to Miss Crocker, and the sixth grade transferred to the grammar room. Conditions in this building, however, are so favorable, both in point of discipline and in good spirit, that the changes mentioned have caused little interruption. The cheerful willingness of the principal, Miss Crocker, to co-operate in every possible way, even to her own discomfiture, has had much to do with the harmonious outcome. I wish to express my appreciation of her helpfulness.
The work at Forge always goes on smoothly. But condi- tions in that building are not satisfactory. At the opening in September, Miss Blaisdell and Miss Garvey each had more than fifty pupils. There were thirty-three pupils in Grade One. Here again three grades are of necessity placed in the grammar
9
school room. No teacher should have more than thirty-five pupils, and in no room should there be three grades. How long shall teachers be required to teach under conditions that existed thirty years ago and be expected to produce results measured in terms of the strictly modern school? The same observation ' is true of the Graniteville school, where three grades are under the care of the principal, and where in Miss Wright's room there are exceeding fifty pupils. To go forward even one step towards relief and betterment two rooms must immediately be added to the Cameron school. Grades Seven and Eight might then be transferred from Graniteville and united with the corresponding grades at Forge, to the advantage of both schools.
Parkerville is a happy little school of eighteen pupils. The largest grade has four pupils in it and the smallest has one. The teacher is a cheerful young Normal graduate of this year's class and is sufficiently active to get from class to class in the five hours at her disposal. Miss Dudley has achieved consider- able success in the matter of co-operation and helpfulness among children who must of necessity be left much to their own devices and initiative. How long shall teachers be required to teach under conditions that existed thirty years ago and be expected to produce results measured in terms of the strictly modern school ?
For the work in the Academy and its various activities during the year I refer you to the report of the principal. Were it not for the class of pupils attending this school-a very dependable and well-intentioned group of young ladies and gentlemen-the experience it went through early in the school year might have been disastrous. It was during the absence of the principal on State Guard duty in Boston that the admirable qualities of the pupils were shown to advantage. Mrs. Hildreth quietly took over the administrative duties of the principal at the request of the school officials, the pupils of the senior class assumed some of his work as teacher, and finally Miss Thorndike was employed to take Latin and French until his return. All these strong forces working together assured for the work of the school a continuity that might otherwise have been broken into seriously.
Little by little the salaries of the teachers have crept upward. We have tried to follow the plan of the state minimum for new and inexperienced teachers, the maximum of the General School Fund reimbursement for principals and other
10
experienced teachers, and to fill unexpected and difficult vacancies with such teachers as we could secure and at such salaries as we were compelled to pay. A graduated schedule looks good at a distance, but unless it be large enough all along the line to make it possible for a superintendent to secure teachers at its fixed rates, he had better be left free to make the best bargain possible in the markets. Thus, while we have not adopted any schedule, we have followed the trend of recent state laws as guiding principles, preferring to have principles to guide us than rules to govern us. When the situation becomes normal and teachers' salaries settled somewhat into definite standards, a wise program of graduated salaries rising to an attractive maximum will tend to encourage and hold teachers as nothing else will.
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