Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-02-28
ELLSWORTH SCHOOLS,
Annual Report of Board of Education
and Superintendent.

and Superintendent.
The annual report of the school COM
mittee and the superintendent of schools
of Ellsworth is out. The school COM
mittee reports that unusual progress has
been made in the schools during the year
The report calls attention to improve
ments and changes in the schools. 1t says:
THE introduction of the American music
system into the schools of our city, and the en-
ploymeHt OF special teacher to prosecute the
work, has met with favor in many of the dis
riets, and while 1t has not vet been given
thorough trial. the results thus far warrant the
continuation OF the work
The Introduction OF new text books Ia three
or more OF the -tudscs has pruy,a ben, hcisi.
Under the encieut sui erintrnaehcc OF t4e
superintendent Of schools, the boek= have been
well cared Tor. tnstcr his directions several
schools IN the outlying districts have b,,zu
graded.
I'VE now have In cur city most excellent
corps Of teachers, ali intert -ted Ia the work OF
their ehosen professions. Every teacher en-
ployed in the common schools, with one cxcep
ton. holds certificate from the state superin.
teudent OF -chrols.
The Summer school held under the direction
of the Stale superintendent of schools Last
Jaly brought to our cit, macy teachers OF other
localities, aud WAS attended 10y large majority
Of the teachers employed in our city schools
But for the aid aud encouragement of the
mayor and aldermen, supplemented by the
Efforts of your committee, the advantages of
this school would have been lost to this com.
munity. All our citizens heartily applaud the
announcement hat Superintendent stetson will
next summer return To US with his accomplished
instructors. and hold here another summer
school,"
Concerning a new high school building
the committee says:
"a new building. unless erected upon the lot
where the high school building now stands,
would cost about $4,000, and your committee
does not feel that 1t can recommend appro.
priation, in the present condition of the city
finances, of so large a sum. But with school.
with an average daily attendance of over one
hundred scholars. the present quarters are In
adequate, and will require the expenditure of
several hundred dollars to place them In good
repair. and make the changes which the wants
of the school now urgently demand"
The committee recommends an increase
Of 900 in the superintendent salary.
Supt Dresser, in his report, says the yea
has been one OF steady advancement along
the whole line OF work. Fourteen sub
graded, have been graded so that pupil
going from one school to another imme-
diately steps into his proper class. A
graduate from the ninth grade in one of
the suburban schools has the same prep
aration for the high school that a gradu-
ate of one of the city grammar schools
has.
Supt. Dresser urges a larger appropria-
ton for the common schools. He says:
1--WE have lost four good teachers DURING the
past year because other schools have placed
higher value on their services than We could
pay. on account OF lack OF funds. II Is right
that should give our young teachers u
chance TO become experienced teachers, but At
ter We have been To the expense OF training up
successful teacher. n Is not right should
let that teacher go for the benefit OF some other
town Tor the extra salary of one, two
three dollars week. and rgin to educate an
other inexperienced teacher who will go The
same way soon rs her service VIII command
better salary. We are simply maintaining a
training sChooi Tor teachers Tor OtHer tOwh ms,
without any compensation to ourselves and in
the long run. 'the game does hot pay for the
candle"
Supt Dresser pronounces the introduce
ton OF music instruction in the schools, a
success, and advises that all teachers be
required to take instructions from the
music teacher in methods of teaching
sit no af al
teachers work will be doubled il she is
aided by each individual teacher.
Concerning the high school, the super
intendent says:
Our high school can send Its graduates to
seven New England colleges without eNamina
ton, the only requirements being Il recommen
dalton from the principal of the school. This
fact alone speaks we'll for the efficiency of the
work done there. Our high school has long
been an object OF pride TO the city Let US
carefully look to 1t that /, remains SO.
Nv hen | think of our high school building, /
find that my vocabulary has been long since
hausted on that particular subject. Let it speak
for itself"
The superintendent recommends the fol-
lowing appropriations: Common schools,
IS 600; high school, 3 200; schooIhouses,
$3.50; text books, $500; school census, $50.
Total, 80, 80.