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<br />Pictures, and statue of Hebe, presented by the Ninth Grade
<br />of '03.
<br />Statue of Diana and Fawn, given by Seniors of '03.
<br />Prizes for Literary and Rhetorical excellence, endowment of
<br />Robert P. Clapp, Esq.
<br />Old pictures restored and framed by a Special Committee.
<br />Of all the foregoing, acknowledgment is hereby made.
<br />Repairs and improvements during the year have been consider-
<br />able. The grounds, in part, at Hancock School, and the site of the
<br />old High School have been graded, and sheathing has been done in
<br />the High School. But the most extensive work has been that at
<br />East Lexington. At this school extensive changes in the sanitation
<br />were imperative. Accordingly such improvement was made, and
<br />though the expense was considerable, to all who know what the
<br />conditions were, and what they now are, it is evident that this
<br />work was wisely undertaken, and the benefits accruing are a good
<br />return on the investment.
<br />In addition, measures have been taken to protect the shrubs
<br />around the school buildings.
<br />The demand for text -books has been met to as large an extent as
<br />possible, and though this need was an urgent one, the careful work
<br />of the Superintendent has made it possible to meet it without exces-
<br />sive outlay. A new series of reading books has been adopted, a new
<br />spelling book, and a new system of copy books. The Superintend-
<br />ent's report will give information at length concerning these changes.
<br />'The transportation of pupils has grown to figures of large propor-
<br />tions. The basis of transportation is, for children of eight and
<br />under, a distance of three quarters of a mile; above the age of eighi
<br />to that of fourteen, one mile ; with provision for special cases.
<br />Ninety-four (94) children are now going to school by barge, and
<br />ninety-six (96) by electric car. In connection with this topic the
<br />board would acknowledge the courtesy of the Street Railway manage-
<br />ment in conforming, according to the terms of their franchise, to
<br />the needs of the school children. It is now possible for the pupils
<br />to reach school and return home conveniently for them and for the
<br />136
<br />schools. With the entrance of new scholars next September there
<br />is likely to be still more of a demand in this direction.
<br />As the public may be interested somewhat deeply in this matter,
<br />the following table of statistics is given :
<br />PUPILS TRANSPORTED.
<br />BARGE.
<br />CAR.
<br />Totahe.
<br />North Lexington
<br />Waltham St.
<br />(JAN. 15, 1904.)
<br />CO
<br />m
<br />at
<br />mri
<br />'4
<br />x
<br />git
<br />G
<br />U
<br />+„iV�'
<br />I;
<br />li
<br />1
<br />m'a
<br />W
<br />F
<br />CLASS Room.
<br />Miss Carleton, . .
<br />0
<br />4
<br />4
<br />0
<br />8
<br />2
<br />6
<br />0
<br />2
<br />10
<br />Miss Robertson, .
<br />2
<br />1
<br />5
<br />0
<br />8
<br />8
<br />1
<br />0
<br />2
<br />11
<br />Miss Wright, . .
<br />2
<br />2
<br />3
<br />0
<br />7
<br />5
<br />0
<br />0
<br />2
<br />7
<br />Miss Skerry, . .
<br />2
<br />1
<br />0
<br />0
<br />3
<br />1
<br />1
<br />0
<br />0
<br />2
<br />Miss Mitchell, .
<br />3
<br />2
<br />1
<br />1
<br />7
<br />2
<br />1
<br />1
<br />2
<br />6
<br />Miss Hatch, . .
<br />2
<br />3
<br />1
<br />0
<br />6
<br />4
<br />2
<br />0
<br />0
<br />6
<br />Miss Pierce, . .
<br />0
<br />3
<br />4
<br />1
<br />8
<br />5
<br />0
<br />4
<br />2
<br />11
<br />Miss Carter, . .
<br />3
<br />2
<br />3
<br />0
<br />8
<br />6
<br />1
<br />3
<br />1
<br />11
<br />Miss Blodgett, . .
<br />3
<br />4
<br />4
<br />1
<br />12
<br />2
<br />0
<br />0
<br />3
<br />5
<br />Miss Rogers, . .
<br />2
<br />3
<br />8
<br />4
<br />17
<br />4
<br />1
<br />0
<br />3
<br />8
<br />Miss Dame, . .
<br />0
<br />1
<br />2
<br />1
<br />4
<br />3
<br />1
<br />0
<br />10
<br />14
<br />Miss Mayo, . .
<br />2
<br />0
<br />4
<br />0
<br />6
<br />5
<br />. 0
<br />0
<br />0
<br />5
<br />Totals, . . .
<br />21
<br />26
<br />39
<br />8
<br />94
<br />47
<br />14
<br />8
<br />27
<br />96
<br />The total cost of transportation for 1904 is estimated to be thirty-
<br />four hundred dollars ($3,400) making an expense on the average of
<br />about eighteen dollars ($l8) a year for each pupil transported, or four
<br />-and one-half dollars ($4.50) a year per pupil on the total enrollment.
<br />A comparison of Lexington with the other fifty-three towns and
<br />cities in Middlesex County shows that while our town stands twenty-
<br />second each in total population, in school population, and in expen-
<br />ditures for all school purposes, and seventeenth in valuation, it ranks
<br />ninth in the cost per pupil, and in the item of cost of transportation
<br />jumps into third place. Naturally towns whose transportation item is
<br />large, incur an unduly large cost of education per pupil, and one of
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