Report of Supervisor of Schools

DISTRICT No.1.
Three terms. Spring and Fall terms taught by Lucy M.
Cole. Winter term taught by Georgia Wentworth of Appleton.

DISTRICT No.2.
Two terms. Spring term taught by Ada Coggan of Union. Winter term taught by Eva L. Taylor.

DISTRICT No.3.
One term Winter, taught by Annie M. Payson,

DISTRICT No.4.
Three terms, an taught, by Mary B. Bills.

DISTRICT No.5.
Three terms. Spring and Fall terms taught by Alice L.
Cole. Winter term taught by Minnie C. Barrett.

DISTRICT No.6.
Three terms, all taught by Josie M. Knight of Searsmont.

DISTRICT No.7.
Number of terms uncertain. Laura H. Williams. of Richmond began the Spring term, but soon left and Mary E. Kelloch. of Warren, finished it and also taught the Fall term.

Statira Vinal, of Waldoboro, taught the Winter school seven weeks, when she also departed. and D. H. Mansfield finished it.

SCHOOL HOUSES.
The houses in numbers 1, 2, 3, and 5. are in fair condition. In numbers 4 and 6 they are in good condition. The house in number 7 has been recently rebuilt, but the foundation was not properly laid, so that the house is being damaged by frost.

SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS.

Under the new law I have purchased text-books for all the districts and have placed them in each school house, a bookcase with doors and locks on each. Total cost $330.

Each book is labeled, numbered and marked with the cost, Each district is furnished with a blank book in which is charged the number and cost of the book, and each teacher has been required to keep a strict record of every book loaned to the scholars, and to return all the books to the bookcase at the close of each term.

But few changes were made in text-books, and we are now using Butler's Geographies, Hanington's Speller. Barne's History, Blaisdell's Physiology, and Raub's Grammars, Arithmetics and Readers. Harper's Readers have been placed in about half of the schools with a view of transferring to other districts when the scholar's become tired of using them.

In making my report last year, I estimated that the cost of the books needed would be about $340. This estimate was based upon the actual number of books to be used, but I find that it is necessary to have in each district a few copies each of all the books in use, so that the sum of money raised ($280) last year is not sufficient to fully supply the needs of the scholars, therefore I recommend that the town raise this year the further sum of $100 This will give a full supply of books and but few more will be needed for at least five years to come. I have drawn from the treasury the $280 raised last year and have paid this to the publishers, and have also turned over to them nearly all the stock of books formerly left by the town. There is yet a balance due which must be met soon.

In district No.7, many of the parents allow their children to stay away from school for trivial reasons, with apparently no thought that they are doing their children and the town an irreparable injury. There should be a general awakening among the residents of this district, and with that object in view I recommend that a truant officer be elected in district No. 7 with instructions to compel the attendance, under suit1able restrictions, of the scholars who habitually stay away from school.

Our schools are not what they should be, and our scholars are not receiving the full benefit of the money appropriated. There is too much of hiring teachers for personal reasons. Too little of hiring them for the benefit of the community. There is great need of a more united action among the citizens to obtain better results. We must more fully realize that one man can tear down as fast as ten men can build up; and that if we are to see our schools become what we desire, it must be by united action on our part. If We would, we cannot shirk the responsibility of educating our scholars so that they may be well equipped for the voyage of life. I appeal to the parents to give the teachers your support the coming year. Throw personal prejudices to the wind and don't throw cold Water upon the schemes of the teacher, or cry down her ability to teach. If she isn't your choice don't let your scholars feel that you are not satisfied. Send your scholars to school every day; encourage them by precept and example; in a word do your duty and our schools and scholars will reach a high plane.

In closing this my seventh (and I hope my last) annual report of the schools of this town, I wish to impress upon the minds of the parents the fact that they have a work to do as well as the teachers and scholars.
D. H. MANSFIELD, Supervisor of Schools.

Hope, February 28, 1891.