$872 83 Leaving bal. to credit of Board, Jan. 1, 1862,..... 137 50 There was in Treasurer's hands, by his books, on the 4th day of February, 1862, as by settlement with the committee, $959 45. Library money received,..... Paid for books in 1861,.. Balance, January 1, 1863,...... $230 38 191 20 $39 18 During the year there has been expended for library purposes the sum of $226 45, leaving to the credit of that fund ninety-three cents. I would recommend an appropropriation of at least $100 00 for the Library. As some persons have expressed the opinion, and still believe, that our schools cost too much money, it may be well to compare their cost with that of schools in those cities from CITIES. which we have reliable data. The annexed table will explain itself: Buffalo,..... 28.000 St. Louis, 14, 50 6.2961 $456 00 $106.910 001814 19,$16 98 5.43 104 939 00 12 64 15 89 I have not endeavored here to estimate for our schools the cost per scholar on the whole number enrolled, as we have no data reliable enough, but it is hoped that hereafter this deficiency will not exist. We hope that this table, showing, as it does, that our schools cost less per scholar, based on the average attendance, than any of the others, will end much cavil and misrepresentation on the matter of Expense. It is also believed that our people, as a whole, will willingly pay all the taxes necessary, provided you give them in turn good schools. In the two last columns will be seen the cost of some of the same schools for 1861. The difference of total cost is explained by a difference in amount expended for new houses. CENSUS. The school census was taken in October last, in accordance with the by-laws, and the following is the result as returned and filed with the clerk: Increas for the past year is, 1st ward, 3; 2d ward, 24; 3d ward, 31-total 58. The value of real estate and buildings belonging to the Board, is estimated at about $2,500. I have no data from which to estimate the personal property. The two school-houses belonging to the Board are believed to be in excellent repair. Many additional seats and chairs have been added, to accommodate new comers, until all the schools are crowded. During the last term it was found necessary to either exclude scholars or supply room. The Board accordingly hired a room on the corner of Genesee and Jefferson streets, at a rent of $2 per week. They have this room until April 12, 1862. It was occupied about the 1st of December, and the cost of fitting it up for a school was about $32. This adds to the expenses; but it has materially relieved the other Primaries, and without it many children must have been prevented from attending school. All of the school-rooms are very imperfectly ventilated; and in the present crowded state of the schools the pupils are likely to be very much injured by shutting them up in such rooms. This matter should receive prompt attention. The style of seats might also be changed, to the comfort and health of the scholars. Those that are in use are certainly far behind the age, which has in view physical as well as mental culture, and should be changed as soon as possible. This change might be made gradually, and be but little felt. . The fall term was commenced with an entirely new corps of Teachers, in September. Since then there have been five teachers in the regular schools; and since the 1st of December, an additional one, making six in all. I cannot deny mysolf the privilege of here expressing the pleasure felt by us all at the zeal and interest exhibited on the part of the present teachers, and the rapid progress of the schools in efficiency, and apparently increasing interest in the schools on the part of the parents and pupils. The attendance during the two terms he'd in 1861, is as follows, being compiled from reports of committee on schools: The small average attendance for the term ending in April, was caused, as the committee on Schools reported, by prevailing sickness. CHANGES IN THE SYSTEM. In the fall of 1859, an outline of study was established, as commencement, aiming at a complete grade. The next year this was annulled by the new Board, leaving the schools in the same chaotic condition as to system, that had existed before that effort was made. In the fall of 1860, a course of study was adopted, which should govern all the schools, dividing the schools into three departments, the Primary, Second and Third Departments, and each department into three grades, and defi ning the limits of each. This was thought as accurate as could then be carried out, and that it would be a starting point from which, by care, system and discipline, an advance might be made, and in time a graded system of schools might be built up. The experience of all of that large class of men who have ⚫ devoted their lives to educational interests, and the example of Oswego, New York, Cleveland, Boston, St. Louis, and other ¡ places, widely and deservedly known for their excellent schools, teach that no school district with a large number of scholars, can have efficient schools unless they are graded. The last mentioned system was adopted in September, 1860, and has been in force ever since. This outline of study is appended to this Report, as a matter of history, and although our schools have even now outgrown it, it may yet be a matter of interest, as showing our starting point in building up a rounded and complete system. During the past and present terms, the teachers have practically and by degrees, established a higher grade, and an entirely new outline of study is now under consideration by the committee on schools. Before this is finally established, it would be well for that committee to consult with the committee on Teachers and Books, and insert any changes in text books that may be considered essential, and among these I would mention Geographies, those in use being inferior to many that may be had. It is by this slow and gradual rising of the different grades, a more marked and clearly defined limit between the grades, and departments, by a more careful examination of pupils applying for promotion, a more and more strict enforcement of the requirement of a thorough knowledge of all the studies prescribed for the lower grades, before any advance is pemitted-it is by these and like methods that will require time, study, and all the energies of the Board and its teachers, that we may hope to bring our schools to a proper standard of excellence. The rules provide for a teachers' meeting every Saturday. This has not been obeyed; and I think there has not been a single meeting the past year. The teachers say, and justly perhaps, that it is hard to deprive them of their only day of recreation. Some measures should be adopted to remedy this evil, and at the same time carry out the spirit of the rule. |