Maryland House and Senate Documents

CARROLL COUNTY.

OFFICE OF THE

BOARD OF COUNTY SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS OF Carroll COUNTY, Westminster, Md., October 19, 1899.

PROF. E. B. PRETTYMAN,

Secretary State Board of Education,

Baltimore, Md.

Dear Sir-I here with submit my Annual Report of the public schools of Carroll County for the year ending July 31st, 1899.

The year has been one of decided advancement. Our teachers, with comparatively few exceptions, have been doing earnest and efficient work, co-operating with the officials in their endeavors to build up the school system to a higher standard with their limited means. District teachers' associations have been encouraged and established in quite a number of election districts. These meetings are being a great source of help to those who participate, giving freedom in speech, inspiring more professional spirit and giving a broader view of school work by discussions of methods of teaching and of school management. Our financial condition has not permitted an increase in the salaries of teachers, which are entirely too low, resulting quite often in the loss of a first grade teacher, who naturally goes to another field when an opening occurs. The ability to pay a salary, which shall be at least a fair compensation "'tis a consummation devoutly to be wished" on the part of teachers and school officers. Public interest in our schools has been manifested in many localities, especially in the populous centers where the people are demanding high schools at which their sons and daughters can prepare for college or counting-room at home, under home influence and restraints. At Westminster, Hampstead, Manchester, Union Bridge, Mt. Airy and Sykesville. where patrons and teachers are especially alive to the importance of secondary education, high school work is well under way, and the outlook is all that can be expected with our present available facilities. You will notice that I report a larger number of high grade pupils than has heretofore been reported, which is the result of this high school work. Next year will show a further gain in this direction. I report 41 Latin pupils, as against none heretofore. In the year 1897 and 1898 there was no public school in Carroll which could properly be classed as a high school. One hundred and ten more pupils were enrolled this year than last, but the average attendance was somewhat lower, caused by the severe and disagreeable winter and spring, and the prevalence of measles and diphtheria in many localities, causing the temporary closing of a number of schools. The vaccination law has been enforced at the ex

pense of considerable friction in some localities between parent and teacher, owing to misunderstanding of the meaning and intent of the

law. At least 75 per cent. of the pupils below the sixth grade had never been vaccinated. Considerable trouble was caused by impotent virus and many operations proved ineffectual, necessitating re-vaccination. There are very few school libraries in this county. In order to promote more interest among the teachers in the establishment of these libraries, a committee consisting of one live teacher from each election district of the county was appointed at the annual teachers' institute, which committee met and discussed ways and means of working in this direction, and reported the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted by the institute: "Resolved, That to advance the cause, we recommend that in each of the election districts a committee of three teachers be appointed by the Examiner to stimulate interest among the teachers and patrons of each school, and this committee shall suggest to the several teachers of their district plans for raising library funds, and shall conduct an exchange of books between libraries, after they have been so established, when desired by schools possessing them." This committee has been appointed, and it is to hoped that lasting practical results will follow. I regret our financial inability to provide our schools with much needed globes, wall maps, charts, etc., of which the number in our schools is exceedingly limited. We have, however, continued to furnish stationery to the pupils free of charge, so that our schools are now what the name would indicate, free public schools. It is to be hoped that the 54 cent. tax, heretofore levied to reduce the State debt, will be continued and apportioned to the various counties as a school fund, so that we may be able to furnish these various needed facilities and pay our teachers better salaries. The people have been paying this tax cheerfully, and undoubtedly would continue it for this purpose and not consider it a burden. Our Teachers' Institute, held January 23d to 27th inclusive, was a decided success, and the teachers were a unit in their expressions of appreciation. The afternoon and evening sessions were attended by large audiences of interested citizens crowding the new High School assembly hall to its utmost capacity. Various patriotic societies have during the year presented a number of schools with Bible and flag, with appropriate public exercises, which have been largely attended by the citizens of the neighborhood, and patriotism and the importance of education has thereby been taught. Of the finances of the Board, I have to report that when the present Board assumed control of school affairs August 1st, 1898, there was a school debt of $20,798.62, less cash in bank $1,730.48, or a net debt of $19,068.14. There were also contracts assumed amounting to $16,183.08, making the total obligations assumed by this Board $35,251.22. On the 1st of August, 1899, the total debt was only $30,578.63, less $93.60 in bank, or a net debt of $30,485.03, being a total net reduction of assumed obligations of $4,766.19 during the year, after meeting and providing for all obligations assumed. The interest and discount account shows a payment of $1,940.13. As nearly all the debt was bearing six per cent. interest, and has been reduced to 5 per cent., this account should show at least a reductlon of $300.00 next year. The most rigid economy and business care has been exercised to bring about the above result. And yet the essential needs have not been neglected. One school house was settled for, which

was built in 1897. Six brick buildings, including the Westminster High School building, were erected. One frame building was enlarged by the addition of one room, and one brick building was torn down and erected in a more suitable location, causing a total expenditure of $15,385.82 for new school houses. The school debt ought to be bonded at a low rate, and provision made for the retirement of a number of bonds each year. With the county practically out of debt, I believe bonds bearing 31⁄2 per cent. interest could be sold at par. This would affect a saving of $450 interest yearly, which could be used for retiring bonds. The General Assembly will probably be asked to pass an enabling act.

Respectfully submitted,

DEWEES L. FARRAR, Secretary.

SUMMARY OF SCHOOL STATISTICS.
FOR SCHOOL YEAR ENDING JULY 31, 1899.

1899. 1898.

Number of school houses owned by the county, 119; rented,
II; loaned, 6; total.........

Concrete, I; frame, 32; brick, 93; log, 2; stone, 8; total...
Number of rooms occupied when attendance is largest.......
Number of male teachers, (principals), white, 73; colored,
6; total..........

Number of female teachers (principals), white, 51; col-
ored, 5; total.........

Number of male teachers (assistants), white, 13; total.........
Number of female teachers (assistants), white, 23; total...
Total white, 160; colored, II; total.....