A law was enacted on April 6, 1859, to essentially mandate that the town had to provide schooling for at least 6 months for all children that could legally attend school.
If a town did not comply with this law they would have to forfeit twice the amount of money that had ever been paid to them to support their district.
Because of this law, some districts didn’t have enough money to provide summer education. In 1859 WB, There wasn’t enough money in districts 3, and 8. $10.43 was overpaid in district 3, otherwise, there would have been enough for 3 months summer schooling.
From: Annual Reports of West Bridgewater for the year ending March 1, 1860.
Adapted by Gregory Venezia
