Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-04-04
Vol. XVII. Whole No. 1893. No, u


The S. S. Com. of Ellsworth here.
with respectfully submit their annual
Report for the year 1912.
STATISTICS.
Amount of money raised for tho sup-
port OF schools, $1,000
No. Of scholar, in City Apr, 1871 1867
Whole No. registered in Simmer
schools, 1852
Average No. attending Summer
schools, Sl1
Whole No. registered in Winter 1902
schools,
Average No. attending Winter
schools, e79
Average per cent of attendance OF
whole number, ~
highest average per cent of attend
ance in any school, "a
Lowest average per cent of attend
ance in any school, 81
Amt paid for school superintend-
ehce, $4,000
A review OF the condition Of our pub
ilc schools, for the past year presents
several encouraging features. While it
Is true in few districts the money has
net been we'll expended, yet these are
the exception, not the rule, throughout
the city and it is to be hoped, that each
succeeding year will give better return
Tor the money of the taxpayer apprs-
prlated for the purpose of education.
A few of the particulars in which our
schools have made improvement, may
be worthy of mention.
First. Formerly, it WAS a very gen.
eral custom for the scholars (particnl.r-
ly in Districts and 15) TO absent them
selves, from examination, at the close of
their school terms. OF course, it was
impossible, for the Com. to form A cor
rect estimate OF the advancement OF the
school. This custom has now given
place TO prompt and general attend.
ance OF the pupils at their examination,
and its beneficial influence i. fsit
throughout the town.
Second. A few years ago, our school
houses and school furniture, were seri-
ously injured and deiaced, and agsntsst
the beginning of each term were obliged
TO cXpend large sums in their repair.
Within the past year, much more regard
ana care has been shown by the scholars
Tor the preservation OF the School prop
erty; aud visitors and pupils eau now
enter our school-rooms without witne,.
ing Vandalism and yulgarity. shocking
and revolving 10 every sent imept of de.
cency and virtue.
Third The Registers OF the Teacher,
show that in 1869, 40 per cent, of the
whole number of scholars attended
school regularly
In 1870, y per cent and in 1871. Al per
cent. Thus showing that there were 80
scholars more, who regularly attended
.choo the past year, than in 1869.
To the minds OF the Com. these are
hopeful indications for the future.
What better evidence of improvement
can be had than the facts above men-
toned viz a higher regard for public
propcrty-a greater Willingness on the
part OF scholars to exhibit their respect
i've attainnents and a more general at.
tendance?
II is due to our Teachers to say that
they have been faithful and earnest in
their work, aud that they have cheerful
~ co-operated with the Com. in their
efforts to advance the character of our
schools.
Of course, all have not been equally
successful. Most of the teachers have
had experience, aud the result has been
many superior schools. An average at
tendance OF 81 per cent. is unparalleled in
the history OF our schools. One of the
greatest obstacles to uniform success is
The want OF competent, experienced
Teachers, not only for advanced schools.
but for primary. The latter, though
totrea III grade, are highest in imnort-
ance. School Agents aud CONS both
agree that the demand for good teachers
Is lar Ill advance OF the supply. The re-
suit has been, that wages of Teachers
within the last ten years, has more than
doubled. In 1860 in this town, the aver
age wages Of female teachers was s.. 80
cts, per week, exclusive OF board. W.
are now paving nearly $500 per week.
Bucksport, Castine, and several other
towns in the County pay still higher
wages.
In 1860 our school money amounted to
Si,722. In 1871 it was g. 900. 1t is not
surprizing therefore, that AS the cost Of
our schools has doubled, their length has
diminished.
1t i. useless to decry the payment Of
these increas sed wages, nor can we blame
our teachers for demanding the same
compensation that 10 paid ell sewhere.-
The laborer is worthy of his hire. We
must accept the situation. No more
ruinous policy could be inauguratsd than
the employment of cheap teachers. 1t
would certainly give US cheap schools in
every sense of the word.
In the woods, in eur mills, shops, ship
yards, We wisely require skillful and sx-
perienced foremen. Are they less i'm.
pertant i'm our school-rooms, where not
dead dull matter is to be moulded and
formed to build up temporal material
prosperity, but where the immortal
minds of those who are near and dear to
us, are to be trained and educated for
two worlds.
1t may not be improper for your Com.
in this Report to allude to ssme of the
duties and obligations resting upon par
ents and guardians in relation to our
schools