Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-07-12
s35.5OO OO
Supervisors Report.

Supervisors Report.
The report of principal H. X Whitaker
as supervisor of schools mentions, with
out going into details. the good general
work which has been done during the
year. No radical changes have been at
tempted, but the effort has been to do
good all-round work. The keynote of the
report, as in all of Mr.. whitaker's work
in Brattleboro, is found in these sem
fences: Latin and algebra may be of
great value to boys and girls, but honest
thinking and clean living, an Intelligent
interest in life, and a high ambition, are
necessary to manhood and womanhood.
Without these things. no studies, no
amount of work can produce valuable
results"
Among the mischievous influences at
work in the schools Mr.. Whitaker LAYS
leading emphasis on the tobacco habit
which, largely through the carelessness
or indifference of parents, is almost uni
versal-not alone in the higher grades,
but among very small boys. What is
here said deserves very serious considera-
ton by parents.
The cultivation of personal relations
between parents and teachers. and the
cooperation OF parents in the work of
the schools is strongly urged anew.
In speaking of the High. school work
specifically Mr.. Whitaker says that the
school has grown in numbers so that
more room has become a necessity, and
he suggests how this room may be pro-
vided. He hopes the time will soon come
when the school can give more oppor-
tunity for training along lines for busi-
ness life, but, at the same time he en-
phasizes the fact that the real purpose
of the school is not to fit boys and girls
for college or for the counting room, but
for life-to help prepare them to do their
fo
able indication that so many of the school
graduates are now planning for further
study.
Recognition is made of several valuable
gifts to the High school during the year.
Music and Drawing.
The reports of Miss Gregg, teacher of
music, and of Mrs. Crosby, teacher of
drawing, show that the work in those
departments is being conducted on broad
lines and in accordance with the best
modern ideas. Both teachers emphasize
the fact that the main effort is not given
to teaching the pupils a specific amount
or technical knowledge, but that the aim
Is to cultivate appreciation of art and
TO develop each pupils individuality.
Report of the School Board.
The report of the school committee re-
lates in the main to the best method of
SUPERVISION OF the grades to be EMPLOYED
by the district under existing circum-
stances. The question is whether It is
the better way to continue Mr.. Whitaker
as supervisor, In connection with his
work as principal of the High school, or
Wnether separate supervisor ought TO
De employed. The committee are not
fully decided about this in their own
minds. and wish the district to decide
There is no question about the excel
lence or value o. the work done by Mr.
Whitaker for the grades in his office as
supervisor. This work has never been
so ably and efficiently done as now. and
1t Is doubtful If another supervisor OF
equal ability and experience could be
round at salary which the district can
anord to pay. The only question is
whether the High school work suffers
materially In consequence OF the time
given by the principal in looking after
the grades. To employ a separate SUPER
visor would involve an added expense of
from $500 to $11OO.
With regard to the treasurer's report
the committee mention the fact that. in
order to pay the bond of S25OO due the
past year, 1t was necessary to overdraw
the treasury balance by about $1,000.
This was on account of special repairs
on the Canal street building and in Estey-
vile, which II was considered wise econ
omy to have done, but the need of which
was not apparent at the beginning of the
year A tax of go cents will cover this
deficit and pay all the running expenses
of the coming year. In case, however.
it is decided to employ a supervisor In
addition to the High school principal, a
tax of So cents is recommended.