Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-23
THE VILLAGE DISTRICT.
Annual Repor: Of the Dtstrict-The Com
eiit,oa OF our schools-satisfactory show
ing.

Annual nspor: Of the Di.trlet-Th. Con-
slitioa o! Sc hools-SatisEactOryS Show
Ing.
| We publish on the first page of this paper
the full financial statement of the Directors
of the Village School District of Augusta,
which will be embraced in their forthcoming
annual report 1t will be seen that the aver
age annual expense Of the schools for Ave
years ending April, 1873. was Sl1.3l5.2G !;
the expenses of the past year have been
! S9,547 30, showing that the expenses of
| the past year have been Sl.1G1.S7 less
! than the expenses of any of the five pre-
viou. years This shows the exercise of care
and good judgment on the part of the Dircc-
tors. The amount to be provided for at the
school meeting next Saturday, is s7,Sl3.35,
besides the amount to cover discounts, repair
of school houses &c. But we call the atten-
tion OF our readers to all the items given in
detail on the first page. as well rs to the table
showing the names of teachers, number of
scholars registered in the several schools,
and the average attendance on the schools for
1873.
The Directors in their report further state
that with the exception of Miss Sturtevant
and Miss Reed. the roll of teachers remains
the same az at the close of the last school
year
In all the grades except the Primary the
attendance has beer fully up to the average,
and the scholarship hown gives evidence that
good use has been made Of the opportunities
presented. In many Of the Primary schools
the work of they year has been seriously i'm
peded by the illness OF the children. II il
serious subject for our consideration how
far we are responsible for these evils, for
the imperfect ventilation of the rooms occu-
pied by the lower grades is no doubt the
cause of much of the illness.
Good work has, however, been done in the
lower schools, a fair average has been main
tanned in the recitatons, and good classes
will be graduated. All the work in the Pri-
mary schools has reflected credit upon the
teachers and pupils.
Three Of the Intermediate schools are I'M
der teachers who have proved heretofore their
worth as instructors; and it is sufficient to
say that the record Of the schools is fully up
to that of last year. The Grove street school
is unfortunate in having had change of
teachers each term, but the present instructor
is rapidly overcoming the defects which nat
uraly resulted from these changes. The
method of mutual criticism practised in
some of the schools of this grade, deserves
special mention. for it cannot fail to be of
great benefit. 1t not only keeps the attention
of the class upon the subject under consider
alton. but it quickens the powers of percep-
ton and thought. 1t develops the mind in
connection with the requirements of facts and
thus unitcs training and teaching.
| nder. the charge of the same teachers en-
ployed last year. the Grammar Department
has been doing faithful and efficient work. In
all the branches here taught the progress of
the pupils shows that the teachers are thor
ough and devoted.
In the High School Department the record
of the year is worthy of commentator. There
has been no misuse of time or opportunity
In all the classes there is a harmonious feel
ing and an evident desire for mutual improve
ment. The money expended on the High
School is a wise OUTLAY. The District has no
reason to feel dissatisfied with the opportunity
il offers to those who wish to engage in the
study of the higher branches which to the
ipdiy idual opens the way to broader fields of
knowledge and usefulness and in the COM
munity raises the standard of culture and
civilization
The instruction in music has been contin-
ued as formerly, under charge of Mr.. c. C.
Hunt. The Directors recommend the con-
tinuance of this useful branch, and also spe-
cial instruction in elocuton and drawing.
a number of complaints have been made
by parents and pupils. expressing dissatisfac-
tion with certain studies, and requesting that
individual pupils be excused from one study
or another. The Directors have decided that
it is not their province to decide in these mat
ters. 4 certificate from the family physician
stating that it will be injurious TO the health
of a pupil to pursue certain study, will ex-
cuse such a pupil. Otherwise the rules of
the school must be complied with.
Only such repairs as were absolutely indis-
pensable. have been made on the school
houses occupied by the intermediate and
Primary schools it being deemed the best
policy to conhne expenditures to the smallest
possible sum until the District shall be found
ready to make the full and thorough repairs
so much needed. The condition of the school
houses have not. therefore, been improved
the past year. The Directors refer to their
recommendations of previous years, wherein
they urged an appropriation sufficient to put
the school houses in tllorough repair.
The report issignedby the full board of
directors VIM. X. Smith. O. ID. Baker. c. A.
Curtis, O. Williamson. @. A. Robertson.
Amount Expended for Schools by Various
Maine Cities.