The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-12-16
Minnesota State Normal Schools.

The board Of directors of the State Nor
NAL Schools, consisting of Hon. Thomas
Simpson, president, Winona; Hon. David
Burt, superintendent of public instruction,
st. Paul; Hon. S. G. Gale, Minneapolis;
Prof. Sanford Niles, Rochester; Hon. O.
o. Pitcher, Mankato; Hon. William B..
Mitchell. St. Cloud, and Rev. G.. W. T.
Wright, Lake City, have held meeting ut
the State capitol, lasting two days. The
reports of the normal school principals were
read. Prof. Irwin Shepard, of the Winona
school, reported that the total enrolment in
the several classes of the normal depart
ment at the close of the school year, Au-
gust 81, 1880, was 191, and in the model
department, ISL; making a total of 242.
He earnestly recommended that the legisla-
ture be again urged to provide for such tests
and examinations of the candidates for
graduation from the common schools, as
will justify them in declaring the diplomas
of these schools certificates of qualification
to teach in the common schools of the State;
and he also strongly recommended the es-
tablishment of the kindergarten rs an ad-
junct to the Normal Schools.
Principal D. L. Kiehle, of the St. Cloud
Normal school, reported total enrolment
at the close of the academical year, August
81, 1880, of 1872 pupils in the normal de-
partment, and 80 in the model department..
He recommended various improvements and
repairs in the building ct that place, and al
so we'll equipped library and reading room.
Professor D. G. John, who resigned the
position of principal of the normal school
at Mankato in April last made no report to
the board, but from report made to the
State Superintendent it appears that for
the school year closing September I, 1880,
the number of pupils in the normal de-
partment 129, and in the model school 40.
The building, unroofed by the cyclone of
last June, has been repaired and improved,
both in the interior exterior.
A large portion Of the time of the Board
was spent in routine business, examining
accounts etc. Hon. Thomas Simpson was
chosen president for another year. After
an animated debate:
Resolved, That on the LIST day of December,
1880, we establish at Winona kindergarten,
as part of the model school, subject to it's con-
ditions as regards support and that the tuition
Resolved, That Mrs. Sarah c. Ecclcston be
the teacher of this department in the model
school, and that she be employed for normal
work as critic teacher, at o salary Of $500
per annum.
Resolved, That whenever either of the other
normal schools can establish kindcrgartens, up
on conditions similar to tho above, tho local
members of the board shall be authorized to
open such departments.
A final statement showed that the
amount expended for each school last yea1
was as follows: Winona $13, 790.42; Man
kato So, 605. 81; St. Cloud $9,412.25 The
total receipts for all the schools during the
past year, including balances from othe,
years, were 1874, 224.32; total expenditures,
| $32, 1884. 81; total balance on hand Decem-
Der l, 1880, 81, 389.41.
It was resolved to ask increased appro-
priations from the legislature, mainly fol
the purpose of employing in each named
school teacher, especially qualified tt
conduct teachers Institutes. A large amount
of other business, not Of special public in.
| terest was transacted.