Litchfield enquirer., 1874-10-15
ANNUAL REPORT
 CF THE LlTCHFIELD SCHOOL VISITORS. FOR THE YEAR ENDING AUG. 3l, 1874.

The statutes >ef the State requires the School Visitors to make through their Secretary an annual report of the condi- tion of the schools of the town together with all important facts concerning the same. Pursuant to this requirement, l
 have ill behalf of the acting Visitors to
 make the following report.
 At the annual meeting of the School
 Visitors held on the 25th of October last, it was found that the following named persons composed the board: Charles B. Andrews, Linus T. Gilbert, George J. Harrison, T. Leander Jennings, Geo. w.. Bement, Benj. W. Pettibone, Louis J. Blake. H. B. Elliott. and Henry R. Nor Till. The Board was organized by the choice of Charles B. Andrews as Chair man; Henry R. Merrill, Secretary; T. L.. Jennings, Linus T. Gilbert, and Henry R. Morrill,, Acting Visitors. The usual vote was passed allowing the Acting Wis itors ''to divide the several districts among themselves in such a manner as they shall find convenient for the purpose of visiting"
 Accordingly the schools in the North field Society, Depot and East Chestnut Hill, were assigned to MT. Gilbert; the schools in Milton Society. Mt. Tom, Brad leyville and Bantam districts, were assign ed to Mir. Jennings; and Litchfield Hill, North Street, Chestnut Hill, South Plains, Harris Plains, Beach Street, and North Farms, were assigned to the Secretary, the allotment being the same as last year. The schools have all been visited by the several Visitors according to law, and in several cases, young and inexperienced teachers have been specially advised and counseled.
 The amounts appropriated by the Joint Board of Selectmen and School Visitors for the support of schools in the several distrcts, were the same as last year, viz: eight dollars per week to those districts in which the average attendance shall not exceed fifteen; eight dollars and half per week to those districts in which the average attendance shall be over fifteen, but shall not exceed twenty; and for those districts in which the average attendance shall exceed twenty, the sum of nine dol lars per week. As the School Visitors re- ported last year, that by thus making the amount that such district would received dependent upon the average at tendance, it was hoped that the districts would be stimulated ''to activity in main taining as high an average as possible"
 This method has not in our opinion had the designed effect in increasing the average attendance, as will be seen by the considerations offered in another part of this report. Therefore the Joint Board recommend that the appropriations for the ensuing year, to the several districts, provided they maintain schools for the period required by law, shall be as fol- lows, viz.: to Litchfeld, Harris Plain, Northfeld and Milton, each $2s5; to North St., Bantam, Bradleyville, South Plain, Chestnut Hill and East Chestnut Hill, each $255; to Depot. North Farms and Guernsey Hill, each $2O4; to Beach St Mt. Tom, Marsh. Head Quarters, Gill bert, Prospect and Fluteville, each $192.
 This estimate has been made by taking an average of the several amounts that each district has annually received from the town during the past three years. Each district will receive nearly the same as each has received under the vote of the past two years, and the same town appro- priation will be required.
 Last year the School Visitors reported the repairing of the Northfield school house and said, ''They have placed thier seats around the sides of the school room according to the fashion of fifty years ago, and have seemed to deform what would otherwise be one of the best school build ings in town" It was to be hoped, after this suggestion, that nd other school house in town would be repaired in the same way. But during the year. the Fluteville district has repaired it's school house in the same antiquated manner. School desks and seats thus constructed, are poorly adapted for school work, and are detrimental to the health of pupils who are compelled to occupy them.
 REPORT OF SCHOOLS.
 The Center district, Charles Merriman Committee. Winter term taught by Mrs. A. V. A. Bishop. who proved faithful and hard working teacher. The improve ment of the school, however. was serious ly retarded by the large number of ab- sentees. The same may be said of nearly every school hereafter reported. Sum- mer term taught by Miss Alice B. Per kins. Miss Perkins is one of the best teachers in town. The discipline of the school was natural and good. Some in- terest was taken in singing and Cabinet organ was through the efforts of the teacher secured for this purpose. North St., Dwight Johnson Committee. Winter term taught by Miss Ellen Gris- | wold. Miss Griswold has had considera- ble experience as teacher, but fell into careless habits in teaching and conducting recitatlons. Summer term taught by Miss Emma Kirchberger Order and teaching good and the school successful.
 Harris Plains. John Williamson Con- mittee. Winter term, Mr. Clark l.. Love land teacher. This is one of the best and most advanced schools in town. Summer term taught by Miss Emeline A. Keeler. who succeeded we'll in keeping up the standard of the school.
 South Plains distFiet, Ames 6. Bentan Committee. Miss Mary E. Pratt teacher both terms. Miss Pratt has frequently been commended as a successful teacher Tn former reports.