Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-07-13
SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT,
Prudential Committee Recommend a
Tax of G5 Per Cent.

superintendent whitaker Urges Great
Interest of Parents In schools, and
Discusses FOrcIbly the Necessity OF
Regular Attendance---Other Reports.
The annual report of the prudential
committee and treasurer of school district
No 2 has been issued from The Phoenix
Job Printing office. The committee make
the following statement:
We herewith present to you our fnan-
cial report, together with those of the SUI.
pervisor and special teachers of drawing
and music. The supervisor gives full,
detailed report of all schools below the
High school, which needs no comment
further than to say that, in the opinion of
the committee, under Mr.. Whtaker's SUI
pervision, as whole, the work In the
grades is steadily improving.
Our High school has never been in
more excellent condition, and we believe
has been much improved during the past
year. Mr.. Whitaker has been reappointed
as principal for the ensuing year, and we
believe him to be man, not only of very
high ideals, but of great ambition along
the line Of progress of the schools.
We wish to call attention to both the
music and drawing teachers reports, as
the work in these departments has been
unusually good this year.
As the treasurer's report will show. we
have again reduced the districts Indebted
ness by paying one bond amounting to
$500 and interest.
We have replaced in the Washington
street and Esteyville primary buildings the
old sewerage system with an entirely new
one, so that the sanitary fittings in both
buildings are now of the most modern
kind. The amount expended in this espec.
ial repair work is shown in the treasurer's
report. We trust that in the coming year
such legislation will be passed in the state
as to again give us a larger amount of the
public moneys Until that time comes we
feel that we shall have to recommend for
the coming year tax Of 6j per cent on the
grand list, the same as last year, which we
believe, with care and economic measures,
will pay the current expenses and reduce
the bonded indebtedness $500.
Superintendent II. X. Whitaker pleads
for greater interest in the schools on the
part of parents. He says that only when
the parent and teacher are working to-
gether in intelligent harmony can the
school accomplish its full purpose for
either the child or society.
Mr. Whitaker finds that the attendance
report is even more unsatisfactory than
last year He says the opening of the
fishing season, the presence OF a circus In
town, the opportunity for speculation in
sale of seats for public entertainment.
are not legitimate excuses for pupils alb
sence from school. Social interests are
absorbing too much OF the energy Of even
the younger children among the Lupils.
Mr.. Whitaker points out how some pupils
fall behind and others break down in
health, as result Of late hours in social
designations and an attempt 10 carry on
school work at the same time. The work
In school is rarely the cause of the break
down.
The work of the grades. music and
drawing, the High school, and gifts to the
schools are other subjects which Mr..
Whitaker discusses.
Mrs. Crosby the teacher of drawing. |
says in her report, that IL is a pleasure 10 |
find so much more originality in designing
than last year among the scholars, and the |
interest in the work seems 10 be general
throughout the schools. In every grade
original work is required, and liquid color,
water color, colored crayons, the study of
historic ornament, applications of designs
in original work, illustrations of stories.
drawing from nature, designs for china
paluIluR' lot posters, Tor DOCK covers and |
for wall paper follow one another through
out the grades. Mechanical drawing has
also a place and it is our aim to give this
most useful branch of knowledge an even
more prominent position the coming year.
Miss Gregg, the teacher of music, makes
IN interesting report, in which she states
hat very few of the pupils who come TO
IS from schools where music is not taught
IRE able to sing at all. 1t is interesting to
tote, among those who have received in
truction from the beginning of their
chool life, the very small proportion of
children who are unable to sing. Thus
We see the advantage of early training.
The report contains the usual financial
tatement of the district, description of
he meteorological station at the High I
chool building, the commencement pro.
rams, list of graduates from High school |
nd from the ninth grade, etc. l
The statement of George C. Averill,
reasurer, shows total of $26, 206 20 re- {
eived, including S23 Ola 05 from the col {
ection of taxes, $l3S7.74 in public school /
money, and 1855 in buttons. There is a
alance on hand Of Sl24.61. The High '
chool building bonds now outstanding
mount to $4,000, the Canal street school. I
ouse bonds $4,000, making a total debt !