Summit Beacon
- May 2, 1849 1:2-4
TO THE TOWN COUNCIL OF AKRON
The Board of Education of the Town of
Akron,
present to your honorable body this its
SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Since the last annual report of this Board no
material change has taken place in the general arrangement and conduct of the
Schools under our charge, as we are satisfied, by experience, that the general
outlines, indicated in that report, are correct. Frequent changes, too,
unless for some fundamental defect, should be avoided, as it shows a want of
judgment in adopting measures, or of firmness in carrying them out.
The Board have, therefore, steadily pursued
the course adopted on its first organization, with a few slight modifications
- one of the modifications is to classify the scholars into Districts, when it
can be consistently done, according to their attainments rather than
territorially, as was first done. This by lessening the number of branches
[courses] taught in each school, and enlarging the classes in each branch
gives to the Teacher more time to devote to each - prevents the confusion
consequent upon recitations of branches in which all the Schools are not
interested - and excites a healthy stimulosus among the different grades of
schools.
The Board found the standards for admission
into the Grammar [High] School was too low - that the number admitted by that
standard was disproportioned [sic] to the primary [elementary] school.
The Board accordingly raised the standard
for admission into that school. As a synopsis of the course of study, now
pursued, will be appended to this report, it is unnecessary, in this place, to
enter more into detail.
On mature reflection the Board authorized
the Superintendent to devote such proportion of his time or his assistants, as
is not required in English branches, in instructing in the Latin and Greek
languages - which the taste of the age seems to require to complete an
education. A class in those languages has already made progress honorable to
their talents and industry.
In the English branches the Board cannot
speak too highly of the progress in each of the departments. From the primary
school where the first sound of the letter is taught, to the highest
department where the most abstruse mathematical propositions are demonstrated,
the Teachers have done honor to themselves, and justice to their pupils.
When all have done well it would be
invidious to discriminate. An honorable emulation has pervaded the Teachers
and pupils in the several Departments of the Schools.
Lamented as the Board is, in its resources
to four mills on the dollar, it cannot advance in providing the means of
education as first as the population require it. At the organization of the
Board under the present system [June 1, 1847,] there were but three public
school houses in the town - and no lets nor means provided for the erection of
any more. This allowed but one house for about three hundred scholars. The
consequence of which were that by far the larger proportion of the scholars
could not be accommodated and were deprived of the benefits of education. Or
compelled to educate themselves in private or select schools. To accommodate
all wants requires at least six more houses besides a house for the Grammar
School. Even with this addition, the least that could be done and afford
accommodations to all the primary schools average about one hundred each,
allowing two hundred for the Grammar School.
Previous to the last annual Report the
Board rented two houses - one on Main Street, North of Market - and one on
the Public Square South of Furnace Run and North of Exchange Street - and
fitted up a building for the temporary use of the Grammar School.
For want of pecuniary means the Board could
do no more. During the year now closing, the Board have erected two new
houses, one on Main Street at the foot of Sand Hill, the other on the corner
of High and Cedar Street. These buildings were erected at a cost of $450
each.
Although the means of education have been
thus increased, the Board have not been able to keep pace with the wants of
the community. As education is diffused , a desire for knowledge increases
and our Schools are still crowded so as to materially impede their progress.
Another house is imperiously called for in the South East part of the Town,
which the Board have not the means of providing.
The Board has economized as much as was
consistent with a faithful discharge of their duties - so as to remove every
possible objection to a system which is giving youth of our town, of all
classes, an education that will favorably compare with that of any Town in the
State.
This system of economy, which necessity
compels us to adopt, has lost to us the valuable services of Mr. Leggett, the
Principle in the Grammar School. His qualifications and known abilities as a
Teacher, have found for him offers in other places, greater than our limited
means will justify us in paying; and we are compelled to part with him who has
done so much toward raising the character of the Akron Schools.
His services will probably terminate with
his second year, unless by mutual consent an earlier period is adopted. The
Board have not yet selected a successor.
During the past year Miss Wolcott, one of
the assistants in the Grammar School, on account of ill health, was compelled
to abandon the business of teaching as a profession. This occurring in the
midst of a Term for a while deranged the operations of the Schools, as the
Board were compelled to employ teachers temporarily, to supply her place. -
The Board believe, however, that there temporary obstacle to the regularity of
the School will soon be obviated and permanent engagements be made.
The Board can not meet the present
liabilities and current expense of the year, without a tax of four mills on the
dollar - which would be accordingly assessed. This, with the ordinary State tax
will not amount (deducting lots and buildings) to $2 per scholar, or year, and
when we reflect that for this small sum every child in town is placed in
possession of the means of acquiring an education of the highest order,
including, if desired, the languages usually taught in our highest seminaries,
no one who wishes well our institution, would if he could, withhold it. The
present age of mind, Intellect governs the world. How important that intellect
should be enlightened! That mighty power which is substituted for the sword
should be guided by enlightened reason.. Education, “embracing every means that
can be brought to met upon the vegetive affective and intellectual constitution
of man for the purpose of improving his three-fold nature,” is the only means
for properly preparing the people foe the important station they now occupy in
human government. “It should not be confined to the body, nor to the intellect,
nor to the feelings, but all powers should be exercised at the same time, and
in harmony with each other.” This alone constitutes a complete education - when
the physical, intellectual and moral nature are cultivated in harmony. The
course pursued in our schools is based on these principles, and by developing
the physical, moral and intellectual facilities prepare the musses for
enlightened freedom
The Boar herewith presents, as part of their report, printed copies of the
Regulation, Order of Study and Recitations, in the Primary, Preparatory and
Grammar School departments of our schools.
The following exhibits shows the Receipts and Expenditures for the year
ending April 1, 1849.
GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS
Balance in Treasury from last year
$303 84
Received from Akron South
District, 15 00
“ for
tuition of foreign pupils, 48 82
“ for
rents, 51 39
“ licensing
shows, 159 00
“ from County
Treasurer,
2,953 99
$3,532 04
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES
Paid on contracts for school lots,
$265 30
“ for
fuel,
133 60
“ for rent of school rooms,
43 50
“ for Stoves and
pipe, 71 37
“ for printing annual report
and order of
study, 26 85
“ for taking
enumeration, 7 00
“ for hanging school bell,
including
frame, 26
00
“ on school
bell,
10 94
“ Wm. M. Dodge’s fees, vs I.
Mills 8 10
“ school district no. 10, Port-
age
township
21 14
“ A.G. Babcock on contract for
erecting 2 school houses
400 00
“ repairs on school houses
building coal houses, fur-
niture and
apparatus 409 52
“ Treasurer 1 per cent, on
$4,261 73 school
funds, 42 61
Balance in
treasury, 846 94
Paid teachers in Grammar school
1,229 17
$3,532 04
PRIMARY FUND RECEIPTS.
Balance in treasury from last year, $560 33
Received from County Treasurer,
1,049 84
$1,610 17
PRIMARY FUND EXPENDITURES.
Paid
teachers
$1,351 50
Balance in treasury
258 67
$1,610 17
STATISTICS OF PUPILS AND ATTENDANCE.
The enumeration taken by the Secretary in October last, shows 984 persons
entitled to the benefits of common schools in the town of Akron: males 481,
females 503.
Eight Primary Schools have been in operation during the whole year.
An additional school embracing the smaller scholars in Sub-District 6 and 7,
was Rept during last summer two terms of nine weeks each.
Whole number enrolled during the first term
in the 8 schools was 609
Males
297
Females
312
Average daily
attendance 385
Whole number enrolled the 2nd term,
embracing additional school 597
Males
289
Females
308
Average daily
attendance 385
The attendance during the remaining terms of the year in about the same
ratio.
The attendance at the Grammar School has been as follows;
Term No. enrolled. Males. Females. Ave.
Per ct.
1st
175 90 85 124 71
2d
168 72 96 132 79
3d
140 64 76 110 79
4th
176 80 96 140 80
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