Ann Arbor Public Schools

To Ike Board of Education of the C7 of Aun Arbor: Herewith I have the honor of presentng to y ou my twènty-flfth annual report of the Public Schools of tliis city. Statistics are not generally entertaining reading, but they present the franiework of all industries and are essential to the best conduct of all enterprises that coat money. Only such items as are closely connected with the administration of the schools are here given. Population of the district, census of 1894, 11,311. Children of legal school age (between 5 and 20 years), census of 1895, 3,054. ïhis is 78 less than reported last year. The discrepancy arises from the fact that last year a niistake was made in the age limite, whicb, made the number somewhat too large. STATISTICS OF TUK SCHOOLS. go. K !TKMS. g U S t 5 o jL. h IiirnllnHMit exclusive of transfers- boys 335 L06 615 12-56 Enrollment exclusive of girls 328 269 48U 1072 Total enrollment 658 575 1,096 2328 Average number belonging _ 558.20 502.75 973.83 2029.78 Average dally attemlmce 529.36 589 942.61 1961 Per cent. of attendnnee on Nu. belonglng.-_ 97.27 96.77 96.06 Number of non-resldents 247 34 34 315 Number men teachers 8 S Number of woinen teaeben 9 13 22 -14 Number of special teachers 3 Total number of teachers 55 Number of d a y s schools In session... 180 180 180 180 Average days attendanoeof each pupil.. U4 159 160 156 Average puplls to i-MCh loilflu-r S3 3P 44 30 5 The grade enrollment was 70 more than that of the preceding year. To accommodate this additional nuinber we employed one additional teacher. As might be expected, several of the rooms were over-weighted in their enrollment. It is impressed upon us more and more that no teacher can do her best work with more than 40 pupils to care for; the table above shows that the average enrollment in the grades was more than that. And the fact is that more than half of the rooms had 45 to 00 pupils, while 11 rooms carried 50 to 58 on the books most of the j'ear. The inference from these facts is that the extensión of school accommodations is hardly keeping pace with the increasing demanda upon them. We should also bear in mind, in this connection, that, by the actiou of the last legislature, we have an efficiënt Compulsory school attendance and truant lavv ; and t will be incumbent upon us to compel attendance upon school of those cliildren whose education is being neglected by their parents. By the terms of this law all cliildren between 7 and 10 years of age must attend some school continuously for four monthfl during the school year. Mapy of these cliildren are not enrolled in any school. Moreover, a considerable nuinber of the vagrant class, even when eurolled as pupils, are likely to be irregular in attendance, or to retnain in school but a short time. A vigorous application of the new traant tew will be the corrective of all this class of evils. We have been accoustomed to honor those papila who maintain an unbroken attendance by printing their names in this report. The list for last year is as follows : HIOH SCHOOL. M. Ethel Bancroft, Rosa E. Marsh, Ennna C. Weitbrecht, Wm. E. Wotzke. For two years. - Mabel R. Van Kleek. ■'(;■ three years. - Geo. D. Shaffer. For four years. - Pauline Wurster. Equal to one per cent. of enrollment. BIGHTfl QOtAD. FrancesL. Darrow, Geo. J. Frey, Itciiry V. llorón, Angela I. Maas, De Lyle Peterson, Carry Pennell, Isaplnne B. Salyer, Alfred G. Walker. For two years. - Reubeu J. Hoffstetter, Melindfl A. Luick. Equals 9 per cent. of enrollnient. FIRST WARD SCHOOL. Ward Ashley, Bert Ball, Leroy Childs, AJfred Finney, Daniel Fletcher, Theodore Kiesselbacli, George Leary, Earl Maynard, Dorothy Mason, Robert Moore, Bessie Maynard, Rebecca Ream, Bertha Bchaffer, Ellen Sohali'er, Frederick Scbaffer, Waldo Selileede. For two years. - Adolph Isbel, Egniont Amold, Au(?ll8tUS Johnson. For three i, - Rudolph Kiesselbacli. Equals 5 per cent. of enrollment. BBCOMD WAIti) SCHOOL. Ilazrl Bailey, Clara Binder, Lorena Bissenger, Clara Kiting, Fred Frey, Lizzie Ffldliaeuser, Clara Feldhaeuser, Arthur Gaekle, Anna Lutz, . Kmma Martin, Edwin XqII, Oscar Stollsteinier, Luella Btollsteimer, Jünnie Bcbantz, Emma Bcbantz, Amelia Staeb, Julia Wenfter. For two yeart. - Karl Frey, Victor Frey, Clara Martin, Oscar Wehner. Equals 7 per cent. of enrollment. THIRI) WABD SCHOOL. Wm. Ilennindinger, Clarence Snyder, Edward Pardon, Wm. Btrong, Flora Schlanderer, Edward Schneider, Howard Snyder, (ieorge Tice. For two years.- Florence Suyder. Equals 4 per cent. of enrollment. FOÜBTR WARD SCHOOL. Charles Burris, Harry Christensen, Bessie Earle, Regie Field, Emma Keubier, Alberta Maas, George Moe, Alice Schall, Oscar Walter, Albert Wureter. For two years. - Ethel McCollum, Anna Wurster, Oscar Wureter. Equals -1 per cent. of enrollment. FIFTII WARD SCHOOI.. Floy Barkham, John Carson, Louise Griner, I.ily Griner. Equals 3 per cent. of enrollment. BIXTH W.l!I SCHOOL. Eunice Bliton, Hollis Cooley, Arthur Hall, Albort Hall, Eva Johnson, Belle Xorris, Otto Steinke, Edward Taylor, Julius Weist. For two years. - Fannie Biggs. Equals 5 per cent. of enrollment. The culminating feature of a system of schools is the graduation, and the uioving foïward to higher grades, of its pupils. This is the visible product, so to speak, of the industry. The following table puts these facts in a nutshell: I 3 . J_ L_ ê_ Nuraber in classes at close oi school year 47] 8fr" 1336 S'uinher unclassitiecl U 11Í 129 Xumber promoted at close of yeai 331 6.5 480 NuntU-r extra promotions (skip ped grade) t 11 SuhiIkt paásed half a grade 9' 2) 290 Nuniber iiot pnssed (fuiled) 4 1'. 00 Number sent to lower grade dur ing the y( ar.- T. ! 32 This table may serve as a text for what follows. Let it be understood that the word "grade" in a school system meaos a year' s work; (it is sonietimes made to mean the pupils in a grade.) There is then a year's interval between any class and the class above it, or class below it. Now in order that all the members of a class be justly proflted by the instruction, they should all be at or near tlie same point of advancement, and be about equally capable of mastering the subject of study. But the faets are far otherwise. In every class quite a section are unavoidably graded too low, and another section too high. Bright pupils are kept back waiting for the dull ones. They waste their time and lose the keen interest that comes of strong effort, while the dull pupils are goaded on toa faster pace than they can profitably travel. Health, temperament, different home conditions, niake vide differences in the ability to get ahead in studies. The fifth item of the table shows that 290 pupils could not be promoted to the next grade but could be passed over half a grade. With annual promotions the evil bas been slightly lessened by permitting now and then a very bright pupil to skip a grade, or sending a dull one to a lower grade. But these means are lirnited in application, and sometimos háíardoUB. The fourth item in the table shows that only eleven pupils skipped a grade last year. The only remedy for the evil is shorter class intervals. The plan proposed is the semester promotion, .reclassification twice a year. This will at least cut the evil in two. Moving from one class to another either up or down will be comparatively easy. Perhaps the greater benefit will accrue to the bright pupils. They will be able to utilize their higher endowments, or better opportunities. The plan will also permit a closer classiflcatiou and so raise the general standard of scholarship. Our semester plan of school terms makes thë conditious more favorable for the change here suggested. But there are difflcultiea yet in the way. Semiajmual promotions require that each grade in a school be divided into two sub-sections, a half year apart. Bat such división can not be made without additional cost for rooms and teachers, unless the several grades of a school shall number about 40 pupils each, so that the sub-sections need not be unduly email. Even now the plan cannot be operated in some of the ward schools, on accouut of the smallness of the grade classes ; hut we hope to extend the benefits of the plan by sending som P'ipils from the smaller schools to schools where the ïub-classiflcation exists. "How can wo niprove the efficiency of our schools?" is the ceaseless refrain of all educational conventions and discussions. And the universal answer is "Improve the teachers." It is an age f warring educational doctrines and the battle makes mach noise, but i:s importance is greatly subordínate to tbat of the equipment and quality of the teacher. In primary and grammar schools it is an age of rapid evolution. The tlnee Ii's of the old time school are being crowded to the wall by a troop of "thought" studies, mosüy comprised under elementary science and literature. Therefore we must have a new order of teacher, a teaclier with a new order of equipment and a new order of temperament and spirit. Our old time teacher must take in a new stock of mental fornitura and breathe deeply the atmosphere and inspiration of the new education or the procession will move on without her. Our new teacher must remeinber that preparation for teaching mplies much more than a high school diploma. It will not be enough that her classes pass examination on a set of questions in spelling, geography, arithmetic, etc, they must exhibit the scholarly spirit, the ambitious interest, the waked up tnind. Mechanical lesa i hearing must give way in the school room to soul, life, individuality. All this makea the duties oL the appointing authorities more delicate and difficult, for they must constantly take into account, not only mental equipinent but also the teaching ability and the teaching spirit or we cannot have good schools. Nothing in all the realm of sociology is more certain than that .superior ability and skill in teaching are uo more conimon and no more easily procured than are the same qualities iu other professions. We niay here properly refer to some of the newer demauds upon the grammar schools, which are agitating the educational world. Such authorities as Pres. Eliot and the famous "Report of the 'Cominittee of Ten' " would have about half of the studies of the High School brought down iuto the grammar department. Latín, Germán, French, Algebra, Geometry, Natural Science and Physics would thus take their beginnings iu the grades below the High School. With ideal conditions such a scheme might be workable and measurably useful. As social conditions develop we shall probably see more in it to commend and apply ; but for the present the scheme is, for the most part, impracticable. Some of the ideas of the above plan we have adapted rather than adopted. In the eighth grade, along with arithmetic, we carry an excellent course in constructive geometry, aud we expect to add some algebraic methods the coming year. In the same grade we have, for several years, given courses in geology and physiology with satisfactory results. Besides this, for two years past, we have permitted a few eighth grade pupils to begin Latin or French in the High School, when their previous record has been such as to iustify expectation of success. 5o attempt was made to accommodate High School methods of instructiou to the capacity of these pupils and apparently none was needed. In the seventh and sixth grades ít seems better to extend and accentuate such subjects as history, literature and geography, because oL their wealth oL interesting subject matter, suited to the needs of pupila at this stage of their education. Improvements in the primary grades are espenially directed to overcoming the difficulties of formal readiug through a practical use of the phonetic, synthetic method ; to making more complete and educative the course and instruction in nature study ; and to bringing literature to bear more directly upon the aspirations and motives of the child in the successive stages of his school life. The mouthly meetings of the grade teachers, during the year, have been exceedingly profltable. The theoretical vork of the meetings was done mainly with McMurry's "General Method"- a most suggestive and inspiring volume. Pedagogical studies do not insure good teaching, but we flnd, íd general, that teachers do things better when they have a reason for doiug them. I regard attendance upon these meetings essential to the successful operation of the schools. There is much discussion in the educational world upon the merits of vertical writing, and the argument seems to be in lts favor. The shorter loops and capitals, and simple forms of the letters, reuder it more economie of movement and so of nervous tensión. It is certainly easier to learn, easier to write, and easier to read, than slanting writing. Some of our teachers have tested it daring the past year, and all suuh heartily endorse it. I recoinmend that it be authorized in grades one, two, thrce and four. and that suitable copybooks be adopte. 1. A very interesting and praiseworthy exhibit of pupila' work in drawing was made at the close of the year in June. All the schools and grades were properly represented. The paper cutting and meuntinR i" designs, the color work in lower grades, object drawing, drawinga to Ulastrate nature studies.cast drawiug, and fancy sketches of plans and scènes by the High Pchoul clags, all ihowed the skilied teaching and the painstaking work of the pupil. HIGH SCHOOL. Tbe High School did not reach its Largest membership diving the i ut year, but it graduated the largest class in its history. In all important respecta the school enjoyed a prosperous year. lts conrees of instruction and programs of work operated without stress or friction ; the attoiulance wvis regular; the ingtruction was of a high character; the scholarship evinced by the several ■ the most part was excellent; while its administration was better systematized and ordered than formerty. Considering the size and complexity of the High School, it needs a well-conaidered, thorough organization, carefully plaaned methodsoi management and uniformity and precisión on the part of teachers in carrying out adopted regulations. I know of no way to secure the successful o-n-going of such an institution (as of any otlier complicated establishment) but for each one with assigned duties to feel that its welfare depeuds upon his beiug always at his post ready for action. The matter of secret fraternities in the High School may here be retened to, at least, as a matter of record. Theoretically there are no such societies at present among the students, because forbiddeu by a rule of the Board. Even il Buch fraternities have in them any good ior the few, they are a serious detriment to tlie school as a whole and so must be prohíbited. For a complete compliance with the rule on this subject we must in some cases rely upon the i good sense and authority of the pareuts of our pupils. Shall we continue our Athletic Association and the physical training of the past year? It is hoped that we may. The Association bas been the source of some evil, but we believe it bas prevented mach more than it bas caused. And as time brings knowledge and experience to our aid, we are learning how to conduct it so that it is more likely in the future to accomplish the end of its institution, and to be an honor to the school. The Board and our patrous may be assured that the Association is under healthful influences and safeguards. The special classes, comprising elocucution, singing and drawing were none of them large, but the instruction in all of them was excellent and greatly appreciated. I trust that proper provisión may be again made for music and drawing. The actiou of the Board making elocution cornpulsory in the junior and senior classes for one semester each, is an important step and it is hoped will be rightly appreciated by pupils and patrons. I may properly say here for general information that the Board have passed a resolution to the effect that no student shall take more than the regulation amount of work at one time as prescribed in the catalogue without the written approval of parent or guardián. It is hoped thereby to prevent some ambitious pupils from over-working, and to prevent others from taking more work than they canthoroughly perform. As usual we here insert a table showing what branches have been taught the past year and the number in each branch. BOYS. GIRLS. TOTAL. Astronomy 29 20 49 Botanv 82 117 119 chSrr::: Physiology 8 88 31 Commercial Law lo H Correspondence 15 11 o Book-Kceping 53 41 94 General English,. 207 21o 422 French 28 30 58 Greek 34 28 62 PollUeal Economy 9 12 21 Germán 7S 80 Io8 U. S. History 95 51 146 Grammar 52 50 102 Englihli Literatura 28 27 oo Khetoric. 24 21 45 Physical Geography 7 5 12 Geometry 92 Ti Ib9 Trigonometry 8 8 Civil Government la - 40 Roman History IS 86 38 Physlca los 7t 180 Latín lo' !'' 2 Greek History 8 12 General Hiatory 101 93 194 Bngliah History 10 18 "aeÍÜ::::::::::::::::: 1 m On account of the semester plan of school terms, the time of the Junior Exhibition was changed from the middle of March to Feb. 2d, the close of the flrst semester. We give the speakers and their subjects : John V. Bradshaw Las Casas. Winifred Bogle Happy Aecidents. Vera Chamberlaln Mirage. Sarah Uanipbell- Au Aftertbouglit of Nature. Louise W. Lau Japan. Thomas J. Marshall-A Modern Thermopyl;'. I,ulu Lasby Do It Ypurself. Parthenla Sykes International Arbitration. Grace I. Sw'iiuller Life's Pictures. Irving N. Vorhies Au Imaginary oyau-c. Charlotte W. Walker Henri De Tonti. L. P. Kay Willoughby The Ueferendum. It was an excellent exhibitiou. The Graduating Exercises of the Senior Class were held June 21st, before a large assembly of friends in High School Hall. The niusic was by the Cheqnamagon orchestra. Prayer was oft'ered bv Rev. T. W. Youug, and the following programma was carried out: PROGRAMME. MUSIC. PRAYER. MITSIC. 1. Newspaner Keaiïitig, 1 Kllcii 15. liiu-h, A mi Arbor. 2 The Injustice of Laml Ownersbip, C. Frederiok Gauss, Auu Arbor. 3 Xwo Applo Blossom, Mabel R. Van Klook, Am) Arbor. MUSIC. i A Second Metboselab and lus Wife, Luella J. Read, abenandoah, Ia. 5. Turn over tbc Le:i f. Lisia A. Van Valkenburg, Ann Arbor. 6 Cobwebs In the Sky, Florence K. Wetmore, Aun Arbor. MUSIC. 7 Good Roads, Fredoriuk E. Wright, Ann Arbor. 8. A I'svcho-ClHiiik-ul Disoovrry, Rose M. Allen, Toledo, Ohio. PEBSBHTATIOM OP DIPLOMAS. MUSIC. KKNKIHCTIn.N. Excused from speaklng. GBADDATtNG 01 - L895. CIASSICAT. COCHSK. ,la M. Adame, WHllam L. Mark, MaryB. Adams, Gustavus A.Ohllnger, Ellen ü. Bach, Oarollne E. Pattengill, Clarence G Hark, OlufG. Peterspn, Mabel Q Clark, Margaret I.. lailork, Ellzabeth Duncan, ArthurO Taylor, John E. Fox, rada E. Vaugbn, C Fredertek Gauss, Jennte M. Woocl, Marguerito Knowlton, Frederlck E. v. rlght. J.ATIN COUR8K.1 ZellaE Miii.it i, Gu8tavu v. ohlinger, Ellen B. Bach, Milly A. Paraons, Sdabel '■■ Clark, Nanoy 8. Phelps, Mar-ai-.t S.Cftrhart, Luella J . Read, MarFha DUwoflb, MarthaA. Slater, C Frederlck Gauss, Helen M. 8t. Jonn, inia L. Harria. l'aineila I. Taylor, Nina M. Howlett, VanValkenburBi LJHIan A. Keating, Mabel B. an Kleek, Ella Louiae Morton, Florence K. etmore. Ev l.. Niles, ENGLI8H 0OTJB8E. Kranoea J. Allen, Allee .T. Hlekey. Blanche M. Anspach, Buit D. Hammond, Carolyn 11. Babbltt, Max II. Irwln, f. Bradne, Arthur D. Kldder, Mabel V. Benham. Gertrmle B. Kennedy, Wlnona D. Bnrehfleld, F. I. Kllngmann, Emma Dalsy Burke, Blpaori Ivln,, Ida K.Buss, Olla M.McArihur Mary T. Carwra, Dean D. Bockwell, Ciara U Cate, Canir M. Schaffer, ] vi(, ( Maud Soarborough, E. Edward, CarrleTower, Franklin A. Emerlok, Emma e. Weltbreoht, Fenton L. (ülbert, Helun C. hitney, Ella A. Gardner, Tladale S. Walker. Ola .1 . Gates, Ina Woodnuiusee. Lora Atklns Banton, soiBirriïTO couese. Ray N'. Anderson, Katharine C. Miller, Benjamin N'. Braun, tliomaa A. Nral Frank A. .)■ll, GustavM A. Ohlinger, BarmoD B. Boloé, WUllain P. Purfleld, lx)iiise May Cody, ra P. Kperry, Louise M. Gorbin, Edna gmlth, Jennie E. Crozler, Anna Z. SulHvan, C Fredcrick üauss, Paullne Wurster, Orra B. Hefltelbower. Floyd . Wtlson. Bopbla D. Klesselbach, Roe M. Allen. Winiam C. MlUer, KS61SEF.R1NG COCRSK. Mary T. Canon, líarmon A. Hnrris, Richard L. Flymi, Benjamin J.Wessinger. Sanford F. Harria, COMMERCIAL COÜKSE. Francia Q Anepach, Earl B. Stewart, BeBste A.. Carpeuter, Bell M. Wataon, Charles D Dlbble, Oscftr F. Weitbrecht, Rena Hosner, Johanncs T. Wurster. Mat E. Kinney, At the close of the exercises occurred a very pleasing incident. Two busts of life size - one of Darwin, the other of Emerson - were presented to the High School by the Literary Societies. The presentation speech was made by Mr. Franklin G. Emerick; responses by Mr. J. E. Beal, President of the Board of Education, and by the Superintendent. The Alumni Association held its annual meeting and banquet Friday evening of the same day. The attendance was large, and the exercises were unnsually intere8ting. At the business meeting it was resolved to establish flve scholarshipa in the U. of M. of $200 each. A committee consisting of J. E. Beal, J. V. Shehan and G. F. Allmeudinger was appointed to formúlate plans and to inaugúrate the undertaking. This is a very important movement and ought to succeed. The officers of the Association are as follows : President- Horace G. Prettyman, class of '82 Vlce-President- Charles W. Wagner, olass Corresponding Secretary- Lucy E. Chapin, class of '76. . „ Recordlng Seeretary -Ella M. Bennelt, class of '89. _ ,„,. Treasurer- John B. Dowdigan, class of '8. Executlve Committee-Geneveive K. Durty, class of '89, Glenn V. Mills, class of 'S6, Ralph Far'.ium, class of '94. The teachers and their positions for the ensuing year are to be as follows : W. S. Perry, Superintendent. UIGH SCHOOL. J. G. Pattengill, Principal - Greek and Latin. Horatio N. Chute -■ .... -Physjcs. Levl D. Wlnes Higher Mathematics. Alice Porter Latín. Mary E. Dickêy"-".""-- v.--TLGer".1?'n" Mary E. Hunt Mathematics. T.r-iis P_ .locelvn Mathematics. Sa WhedoS: Enalish Literatura. Carolyn H. Trueblood Klgoutton. Nanoy Purdum ..Rlietorio and Knglish. Jabez Montgomery, Botany, Chemistry, Astronomy. Gerlrude T. Breed French and Latln. Durand W. Springer Business Branches. Genevieve K. Dufty-Pliysioloay and English. Lulu B. Southmayd- History, Civil Gov'in't. June Carpenter !?fL' Lucy K. Cole Music. Mattie Cornwell Drawlng. F A Oiborne.AssistantPhysical Laboratory. Ella M. Bennett-Ass't Botanical Laborator}'. Norman J. Miller, LivboraU)ry. Nellie S. Loving Librarían. GRAMMAK AND PRIMAKY DKPAKTMESTS. Central Building. ElizaC. Ladd, Principal Eiglith Grade Anna D. Kobinson ' Allio A. Pond KIIiST WARD SCIK'lU.. Chira Q. Plympton, Principal, Seventh Grade Emlly .1 KUlridse " Ku tu B. Durheim i1' ,, WUhelmlna L. Bender frilm Luretta P.Saandera '"?-. ! ., Carrle L. Dicken -Th ml Frillie G Beckwlth, Second and Third Maggle T. McDlvltt Se?,9ni Jeunie M. Seelye ï""st glOOND WAHI) SCHOOL. Emily Gundert, Principal „_j„ fittii anu biïiu winuca. u"usta W. Walter Fourth Grade. Mande g. Hess -j" Mallnda K. Mogk FJWt ' Bertha Feiner 'irst THIRI) WARD SCHOOL. Belle K. Ed.on, P sxth Qrades. Anna Sliannon - Fourth Grade. Emily E. Lutz. - -Third Carrie A. Wl.eeler öec, " Carrie P. Kraiise lrst FOURTU WARD SCHOOL. Annetta L. Ailes, PWnoipol- Seventh Grade. Julia A. Howarcl Filth and Sixt i Charlotte L. Millard FSS!í5 ,. Sarah V. O'Brien.. ;Tlllrd, „ Minnie A. Drake Second Eugenia Mosk f lr!t FIFTH WARD SCHOOL. Mattie E. Goodale, Principal, Fourth and f íith Grade. Jennette 8. West Seeond and Third Anna L. Clintou First TAITAS SCHOOL. Lulu tí. Downs, Principal --Sixth Grade. Ella L. Wnght Fourth and Fllth Kmilv.I. Parñeld Second and rhird Sarab BaUftb 'rst SPECIAL TEACHKKS. (Jadets have been appointed as follows: Pauline Wurster, Emma C. Weitbrecht, Mabel A. Benhain. Iu conclusión I wish to thauk the members of the Board íor the syinpathy and support shown to myself and all connected with the scliools; and to bear testimony to the hearty coüperation of principáis and teachers in the conduct of the schools. Bespectfnlly submitted, ' V. 8. Pehuv, Supt. Ann Arbor, Sept. 1, 1895. PRESIDENT'S KErORT. The Board of Trustees of School District No. 1, of the City of Ann Arbor, herewith Bubmit their Thirty-Ninth Ainiu.il Report for the Bcbool year ending the 2d day oí Septemher, 189S : RKOBIPTS lol: 1804-95. City Treasürer, Taxes. 85,691 10 Townshlp Treasurer, raxe 1.1 ■" Prtmary School Money J.". ; County Treasurer, Fine Money -- '; '" D W. Springer. Stationery Account, 134 45 BtateSavlngs Bank, Interest 1 ' ' Library Fine .M.mey_„ .-------- - m Uas and Kecelpts from Hign School - 2_L Total RecelpU M8280 63 KNi-KNi.irritKs FOK 1894-96. PaldOvewlrafl al Bank l,3g W Teachers' Wages "ï'lïS iï Repairs and Improvements- - :: &isn?s==: fc . . T til. .f.-! - ' '" ' ' ?Ml -.'-11 "- r Ui 1 -- - - ■ uut u i ■ Library Hooks- --- '.J ;'- ■ Ann Arbor Water Co 200 " Ann Arbor Gas Co._ -- Jj f " McMUlan Oymnaalum ".!,--! " Insuranoe - i--'!-" Janitors '"i'i ■ ''■■ Truant Offloer - Balary oí Seo. and lreas__ SOU uu " Librarían - -m m Total Bxpendlturea 147.242 77 CMh on Hand WW Sli Oftbeaboveoashon hand 822.19 betones to the Llbrary Fund. estímate of expenditubes for 1S95-96. Salaries of Teachers Wij ["' " Truant Offleor lou w Bonds doe Feb. 1, '96 I. nterest 800 00 anttora' Salarles - - l."50 00 15U IKI Water 200 ■„,■1 MO0 00 m proveniente, Bepairs and Incidentals 3,500 00 nsurïince 225 00 M7.928 (w ISTIMATBD KF.CKI1TS FOK 1803-96. [111 Tax .500 00 'rinmrv School Money_ 4,000 08 ulUon - 6,800 00 Balance on Hand 1.0:57 86 $18,857 m Balance 128,687 M The bonded indebteduess ot tlie disrict is $7,500.00, due as follows. 4,00.00 due Feb. 1, 1896; $3,000.00 due Feb. 1, 1897, hearing riterest al The two boilers which heat the High School building have been in use nineeen and twenty-four years respectively. Therefore they have become both expensive in 'repairs, and dangerous to ,he niany lives directly above them. i'hev were thoroughly examiued and ondemned, thus making it necessary o get new ones. In doing this the Board deemed it wise, on account of jetter safety, as well as to provide for uture needs, when our rapidly growing chools shall require another addition to the High School building, to place ,he new boilers outside in the rear. This necessitates a building large enough for two boilers, and space for another when it shall be needed. It is estimated to cost five thousand dollars. On account of the dampness in the basement of the Fourth Ward school it s not fit nor safe for the janitor to live there. Moreover, it occasionally happens that contagious diseases break out in the families of the janitors, thereby exposing the sntire school. Accordingly it was thought desirable to erect a stuall house at the rear for the janitor's residence, not to exceed $800 in cost. The Board recommends that the Trustees be authorized to issue the bonds of the district for $0,000.00 at 4",,' anuual interest to become due Feb. I , 1898,13,000.00; Feb. 1, 1899, !f 3,000.00. Tliere is an increasing realization of the importance of makiug sound bodies to carry sound minds. To this end rational athletics are to be encouraged. Our pupils canuot use the University gymnasium, and havingnone connected witli the schools we availed ourselves last yearof the one in MeMillan Hall. Here not only the pupils of the Grammar and High Schools received excellent instruction, but also the teachers of the primary grades, so that they learned the proper exercises to give the little ones. By a little assistance from the Board the expense was light on the scholars and on the district. In line with physical culture comes the manaal training. This we hope to have soine day, but the expense is such that it was deemed advisable to wait for easier times. It seems important to teach the use ot the saw, Iiammer, plane, turning-lathe, the sewiug needie and plain cooking, the more thoroughly to equip for the varying duties of life, for they train the eye, the judginent and the musdes. The continual increase in the number of children to be educated, occasioned by the constant growtli of the city, is crovvding tlie buildings more and more beyond tlieir capacity. A slight relief will be given in the First Ward by the school room fixed up this summer in the brick dwelling house owned by the district. All of the buildings h ave been put m good repair during the vftcation. The oíd rubbieh has beeu clearedoutof the High School basement, and the property of the district is believed to be in good sanitary condition. The teacheffl in the AVanl Schools keep np efficiënt fire drills, wherehy any one of the schoola may be einptied of its scholars inside of a minute after the gong sounds. Such drills lessen the danger of pánica and jumping out of the wimlows, ín case of eudden alarm. The new rules adopted daring the past year for the geïfirnment of tl e High School are workiüft lo the advautage of the students and for better school room work. Notwithstanding thfl amouat of the Primary School Money wus 600, lees than was estimated to be received, the treasorer's statement ehowa a gain of over $2,000 from n vear go. Instead ol au over-draft of $1,342, tliere is 700 cash on hand. When it is considered wliat special (leinaiiils come upon our schools because of tlieir direct relalion with the sity - demanda for apparatus, laboratories, special teachers, etc, it is with pritle that we uiay regard tlieir high standing among the similar schools of the land. It is also agreeable to the tax payers that by carefulness in expenditures the rate is kept lower than D other cities of like population. In 1893-04 the expenditures (less tuition received) for the pupila eurolled was 17.55 per capita. Other cities in the state were as follows : Adrián, $17.65 ; Alpena, $19.25; Battle Creek, Í 19.09; Bay City, f24.53; Cold water, $21.13; Detroit, $24.08; Plint, $24.88; Grand Rapids, .$20.87 ; Jackson, $20.19; Kalamazoo, $17.76 ; Lansing, $15.88; Manistee, $20.83; Monroe, $19.05; Muskegon, 26.96; Pontiac, .$16.05; Port Huron, ■f IS. 02; Saginaw, $23.68 ; West Bay City, $35.88; Ypsilanti, $22.28. The superintendent and teachers are doing strong work, and inaintaining the standarda of the best instruction of the dav. W. W. Whedon, President. Secretary.