Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-04-04
REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF MONT
PELtER UNION DISTRICT.


The Committee Of Montpelier Union District
Report
The report here gives the expenses Of the
school for the past year, which we omit as the
substance is given above.
It has been the aim of your committee to
maintain school Of the highest order, sec
ond to none in the State, and at the lowest
possible expense. After fairly compensating
those employed in the service Of the district,
the taxes the present year will be about the
same as the Law provides for Highways. And
will it be contended for a moment that the
road which our youth must pursue to Vsefat-
ness, distinction and HONOR is Of less import
ance than that used for the drudgery Of our
business, bearing the footsteps Of our beasts
of burden,
With the present expenses Of our school
the poorest man can bestow upon his children
a legacy more valuable than goods or money /;
while the man Of larger means cannot Justly
complain Of being over taxed for an object Of
such vast Importance carried to its present
state Of perfection. The whole number OF
scholars attending school the present year is
about 450, while the average attendance Is
only about 500. Your committee regard it a
duty to call the attention of parents to this fact
in order to effect a more constant attendance.
1t is not to be expected that every scholar
will attend each day of the whole 40 weeks
OF the school year but il is expected when
a scholar prOlesses to attend school, that he
will actually do so. Absence should never
be permitted but for Sickness or other tndooid-
able necessity its results not only affect the
absentee but the iohole school. The Teacher
is annoyed and discouraged by the frequent
absence Of pupils, and no better evidence OF
a backward scholar can be adduced than a
record Of absence and tradiness
We can safely assert that temporary ab-
senoes are the most serious impediment we
have met to the perfect working of our insti-
tuition. The absence of pupil in a graded
school is a wrong done to mis- whole class.
For the Teacher is compelled to spend time
in eet,a drilling and teaching to bring up an
absent pupil when the class are rightfully en-
titled to the whole of their usually allotted
time And as a whole class las to be carried
along together the absence and consequent
backwardness of any, retards the progress OF
the whole-and it is worry of notice that ey-
cry days absence diminishes the amount OF
public money the District receives.
1t was matter Of regret, to your Committee,
that they have been compelled to lose the
services of Mrs. Gorham, but as she only cx-
ercised a tight provided for in her engagement,
we had no reason to complain, and we the more
willingly submit TO it unuer the belief that
Miss Chapman, who is employed to fill her
place, Is discharging its duties to the accep-
tance Of her pupils and to the general salts
faction Of the District.
In closing this report your Committee re.
new the declaration that the graded system
upon which the school is conducted is well
adapted to the condition of our Village, and
is aow, and we trust will continue to be a COM
piete Sticcesg