Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-07-12
SCHOOL REPORT IDEAS
AND SUGGESTIONS FOR VOTERS.
Important Ouestion Referred 10 Voters
As tn Employment OF . Supervisor
The Need Of Mora Raam and Ia cilifiaa

Important Question Referred 10 Voter,
As tn Employment OF . Supervisor
The Need of More Room and Facilities
The school report will be out today in
time for voters to study and digest be.
fore the annual meeting, at which the
committee ask the question of super
visor to be decided. They say in their
report which opens the volume:-
| Under Mr Whitaker's supervision the
work in the grades has steadily improved for
the last three years. Our High school has
never. perhaps, been In better condition
OF the school work we have branched out
largely in the last five years. and we know
that our standards are higher than they have
ever been before. We are now on the certiti.
cate basis with the five largest colleges, and
feel that this fact alone ut>tifes us in saving
that our High school Is second to none in the
state. There has been, however, some ques.
ton in the minds OF the committeeman we
feel that 1t has also been raised In the minds
of the parents-as TO the wisdom OF having
the principal of the High school supervisor of
the. grades. Only man Of such large ability
and strong physique aS Mr. Whitaker could
possibly fill both positions. The committee
feel that ut the coming school meeting we
would like to have this question thoroughly
discussed, as we are somewhat In doubt as to
the best course to pursue in the future.
There can be no question but that the grades,
under Mr. Whitaker. supervision. are in
much better shape than they were four wears
ago. In discussing the matter of Mr. Whit
| aker's absence from the High school for such
| time as he Is Obliged tn give the grades during
the morning session. il is somewhat difficult
| 10 tell whether the high school has suffered
| or not. Much credit l. due to Mr. Whitaker
| for the immense amount OF work that he has
accomplished for the district in taking both
| these positions at the request of the pruden-
tial committee. II 4 change should he made
and n supervisor should he engaged. Mr. Whit
| aker devoting hi, whole time to the High
school. il would mean an aided expense to
the district annually OF from $500 to ~ 900.
| Your committee does not feel justified in do
| ing this as long as Mr. Whitaker feels physi.
| cally able to carry on the work.
| The committee also call attention TO
the reports of the drawing and music
teachers, and especially to the use Of
colors in the drawing department, which
has greatly increased the interest OF the
children. For next wear they advise a
tax OF 40 cents. which they think will
meet expenses, make oond the present
overdraft and pay $500 bond. Rut il
n supervisor Is to be employed they say
the tax should be 63 cents
Mr. Whitaker ia his report as SUPER
visor after discussing well some ele-
mentsry matters with regard TO ednca-
ton and character building and calling
particular attention to the tobacco habit
thst is bringing growing decentralization
to the bows. makes several suggestions
and Recommendations
1t l. pleasant to report continued satisfac- |
ton with the Ward Method in Reading. in |
Use in the primary schools. We have never !
taught reading so easily or effectively as now.
We need room tor the drawing teacher. II |
is exceedingly difficult to get along as we do
now, and the expenditure OF a very small |
sum Of money would greatly benefit the |
work. II is not fair to the teacher to fail in |
providing a suitable place for her work. A |
course in mechanical drawing should be ar
ranged but il cannot be until suitable room
is provided.
An unusual entering class brought the total
enrolment for the year from September to
June up TO I65. From present indications it
seems probable that next years enrolment
will equal. If not exceed. that number. The
greatest hindrance to good High school work
is the lack of sufficient room The extra
room finished oil on the third floor will give
u needed laboratory space. but we still need
another regular recitation room. If the pres
ent numbers keep up such provision must lie
made. II would take but comparatively small
expense 10 finish OF a room for drawing and
another recitation room on the third a9or.
Considerable arparatu, has been added for
the study OF electricity. This subject could
protitahly be made the ha.i. for half-year
course in practical work for either Junior or
Senior wear. such work should receive full
recognition, equal to that accorded history or
mat hemaiic- Every effort should he made
TO provide course of study which shall. a.
lar - possible. meet the varying interests and
purposes OF our students, ! hope the time
~ III soon come when our school shall give
more opportunity for training along some line
more CLOSELY related 10 business.
During the year several things have come to
use. A rare and valuable gift was r. c~ivcd
from the Vev Lewis Grout in accordance
with the will of hi, daughter. the late Miss
Anna Grout. II consists Of several books mp
IN the subject Of botany and several very fine
OF especial interest and value is
A large and rare collection of ferns containing
many beautiful specimens from South Africa [
and other foreign countries. Tns gift brings | {
new evidence of the thoughtfulness of the I
lonor. and her generous interest in the school
and all the work for the betterment OF the I
{
The financial report shows a $1,000 I
overdraft rf the treasurer's account. due !
o the extraordinary repairs for the year. !
rhe items OF expenditure are:
Ugh school salary. So. 725 90 Z