The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-18
JOHNSTON SCHOOLS.
Meeting Of the Committee and Re-
port OF the Superintendent.
THE News BUREAU.

the once oi the clerk, Mr.. ". IL. Iafkef
last evening, and approved the annual re
port prepared for the financial town meet
ing. The reports OF Superintendent N. NJ
Wright and Truant Officer Mclaughlin
were also received and ordered placed OF
file.
The committees report reviews th'
work OF the year ending April 80 anc
points out the rapid growth OF some dis
trlcts which has occasioned the necessity
OF asking for additional teachers and alse
appropriations.
lt Is estimated that five new teachers
Will be needed the coming year.
II was decided To ask for an appropria-
ton for the purchase of site for town
grammar building.
IL is expected that the Concord School
VIII be fully occupied in a short time, and
this action is desired TO make ready for
that event. The financial report shows for
the past year receipts amounting TO
S3l, 1884.
This includes sums appropriated for
day and evening schools, high school sup
ervision, apparatus, etc. The expen-
Day Schools--Teacher's wages, sl6, $50. 40;
fuel, sl6Ol.07; care of buildings, Sl6lgl0;
miscellaneous, s142.71; balance, sl023.TO;
night schools, sl022.89; apparatus, $500;
High school; S3906.93; superintendent's 5
salary, 500; text books and supplies,
S3654.3i; insuring, books etc, $500;
freight, s9z. .0s; total, S3s37.12.
The committee will ask for the same
appropriation as last year with one ex-
ception. 1T IS estimated that 5000 addi-
tional will be required for new teachers
and janitors and to cover the increased
expense OF fuel for the new buildings.
The committee adopted a resolution on
Mr.. W.J. Barnes proposed withdrawal
from the committee, recognizing his
aff AExrfs A.t.t h.. hFAe
years. Mr.. Parker was authorized TO have
the reports printed.
Superintendcnt's Report.
To the school committee of Johnston,
RI:
Gentlemen-In presenting my third an
nual report as Superintendent 1 wish TO
call attention to the work Of the past year
and to present the needs of the schools.
The progressive spirit which has been
manifest in the past five years in the erec-
tlan of new school buildings in the town
is still dominant. The new four-room
structure in the Merino district was occu-
pied the first week in September, 1893,
TWO rooms being opened. On Nov. .,
1898, third room was opened and the
pupils In that district are now fairly well
graded. The Plain Farm district was
obliged co hire an additional room dur
ing the fall term, making three
rooms outside the regular buildings.
The new brick school house in that dis
trict was completed during the winter
and was first occupied Monday, Feb. 10,
1884, four rooms being opened.
One ofthese rooms is devoted to the town
grammar department, taught by Mr..
william >. Steere, which was removed
from the high school building, and the
othar three by, the eighth, seventh,
and sixth grades OF the district
schools. This new building is
an e4eAt-Feem- structure with
q hall on third floor and is built Of brick.
Ii fronts on Johnston and Concord streets.
On Friday, March %, 1894, it
was dedicated with appropriate GER
There Were addresses
and reports and singing by thepupils of
the school. The taxpayers of the district
at the annual meeting in April voted to
name the new building, and 1T will here
after be known as Concord School,"
The present prospect is that two addi-
tional rooms will be occupied in Septem-
ber. In the Olneyville district an addi-
.ional teacher was secured for the
owest primary grade during the
all term, making the number of teachers
N the building seFen.- AT Manton both
'ooms have been well filled during
he year, and there are sufficient
pupils to warrant the employment of a
bird teacher, provided the district fur
lishes q suitable room. Understand that
his matter was discussed at the
nnual meeting in that district, and that
committee was appointed to consider
he feasibility of the project. 1t is posi-
lie that new building will be erected.
The Belknap District has enclosed its
PREMISES with a substantial board and
'icket fence, which, with the fresh
oat of paint, greatly improves the
ppearance Of the place. The new school
louse which was first occupied in Janu-
ry, 1893, provides very cheerful school
DOM, and the citizens of that district
ave occasion to be proud of their school |
ABILITIES.
The Bell district has secured a new
tove, and the Pocasset district a bell for |
Is belfry. Some improvements have been |
lade at Hughesdale, but the building is |
ot in satisfactory condition for the |
inter season.
The school house in the Dam district |
as been scene of vandalism on the part |
I some unknown persons. The only |
emedy that presents itself for this state |
affairs is the removal of the building to |
site on the main road near occupied |
wellings or the building of q new struc- |
are.
There rooms are in use at the Thornton |
A large number of children |
'om Cranston are attending this school |
and at the expense OF That +
,wn. There are also few Cranston
upils at the SimmondsyiIe school |
nder the same condition. Several OF |
no districts have made minor repairs on
leir buildings and nearly every school
rs been provided with book case for
10 reception and care OF the free text
ooks.
The condition of the school
nildings in the town is on the
hole better than il has been for years.
here are now IS school buildings, and
le number of teachers employed is 43,
cluding the High school instructors.
ccording to the census enumeration
ade in January there are 2l02 children OF
hool age in the town.
The introduction OF free text books, you
Q well aware, has involved additional
Dor on the part of the teachers
I'd school officers, but the system Is
wv in good working order. Your
i'm revising the list OF books,
Id in the selection and purchase of
'oSs and supplies, enabled the schools
begin the first week in September
operly equipped.
The new system has prevented any un-o
cessary delay in the equipment
classes and in view OF
o financial depression has been
pecially beneficial TO those least