Only $2400 Amount Appropriated for the Peabody H.S. in 1869
by John O. Buxton, Salem Evening News, Aug. 4 , 1933

Peabody, Aug. 4 - We now continue our story of the Peabody High school with the conclusion of the report of the school board for 1869.

"Those who attend school for purposes of discipline and culture need to be assisted and guided in their labors by the inspiring influence of the vigorous mind of an efficient teacher.  It is the purpose of the committee ever to employ such to watch over the interests of our High School. While promising thus much on their own part, they wish to bespeak the co-operation of the friends and patrons of the school, and earnestly request the aid of their best endeavors to keep its numbers good.  It cannot prosper if parents allow their sons and daughters to leave the school whenever they take a fancy to do so.  The reasons for leaving are sometimes good but very often of an exceedingly trivial character, when weighed against the value of opportunities for education.  During the past year twelve scholars have left off attending - a larger number than have usually graduated, we hope to make a better record of the coming year...

"Mr. George Peabody has now furnished us with a permanent fund, from the income of which silver medals of equal value are presented to all members of the Graduating Class without distinction.  Besides these medals, books of considerable value were also presented to the graduates at the late exhibition.  By vote of the committee this was also done without distinction of rank, except that the most costly book was considered a first prize.  This was won by Miss Sarah A. Swett, after being closely contested by two others.  Miss Maria L. Sanger, of District No. 2, received a prize for the best examination paper on admission to the High School.  Miss Lizzie M. Wilson, of District No. 3, received a prize for being the best fitted scholar in a class having the best average upon examination for admission to the High School.  Money appropriated $2400.  Salary of Principal $1500.  Of assistant, $850."

(Owing to the small number of graduates in recent years the fund for medals and prizes had accumulated so that they used part of it is give prizes to the best scholars on admission to the school; but as the graduating classes grew larger in size this was discontinued after a few years, and eventually the income from the fund was not sufficient to give medals to all the graduates. - J.O.B.)