The Portland daily press., 1877-03-05
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Additional Reports for the Year.

An adjourned meeting of the School Com
mittee was held last evening and several minor
reports were presented. Rev. DR.. Hill mode a
very interesting report upon music in the
schools: also statement of the condition of
the deaf and dumb school which has been re-
Gently established. Mr. Burgess read care
fully prepared paper on the subject of drawing
in the schools. The annual report of Superin-
tendent Hunt was read. The following is an
abstract of the report:
the present population of the city is estimat-
ed at IT, 600; of this number 1854 are between
the ages of and q years, and 1886 between 4
and To-. The number of schools of the several
grades is 23 The number of teachers employ
ed is IA, and the number of students enrolled
5748, of which 1862 are males and 2486 females
The expenditures for the year have aggre-
gated $50, 6SS.50, of which $61, S6625 was for
salaries. The expense for each scholar is $1S.-
78.
A compulsory school law is recommended,
and also that the police be clothed with power
to act asttruant officers, or that that officer be
responsibility connected with the school board, as
he is not now. By this reform truancy would
be greatly remedied.
In the matter of accommodations the schools
are somewhat cramped. A class has been colo
nlzed for this reason in the ward room of
Ward 1, and another at Brooks bakery, for a
short time. The school house on Long Island
needs attention, as there are 1856 students on
the island, and only 80 seats provided for them.
The labor assigned to the first six years of
school work, under the new system, is being
satisfactorily performed and when fully
perfected will leave but two years to the gram
mar schools which is the proper method The
work accomplished in four years by the old
plan is. however, recommended to be limited
hereafter to three years. The work is too
much spread and, what Is done in ten years,
might be accomplished in seven-and this is
done in New York city.
Written examinations have been held twice
che past year, and with excellent results. Two
years ago the students of the first primary
made their written examinations with lead
pencil, but now they do creditabie work with
pen and ink. The specimens sent to Phladel-
phia were awarded diploma of honor for ex-
cellence, and yet they were not simply few Sc
lections from the best work, but complete ex-
hibit OF every pupils work even down to the
first primary schools, and the highly
complimentary award is matter of gratifca-
ton
Music has been introduced as study in all
grades of the grammar and primary schools.
1t has accomplished much already in its gene
raj influence upon the pupils, and gives promise
OF great future good.
In the lower grades important advancement
has been made in drawing and penmanshp
which heretofore has received little attention
The regular teachers have afforded Mr.. Shaylor
marked assistance and progress has been eff
fectve and rapid.
The primary schools have suffered from the
prevalence of illness in their ranks, but make a
highly satisfactory exhibit, the teachers show.
ing added interest in their work. 1t matter
OF regret that the statistics of the past ten years
show that only about so per cent of the prima-
~ students ever attain to higher grades.
at the conclusion of the reports the following
resolution was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That this board desire to place on
record their deep sense of the value of the SER
vices rendered to this board and to the public
schools Of the city during the past year by His
honor, Mayor Fessenden, and to thank him for
which he has presided at the meetings of the
board.