The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-08-06
Teacher of German.

TO arrange tne nigh ScnOOl program tC
do the work with the teachers
hired, but it was impossible ever
if he himself taught all day
unless the course was materially
injured. With larger number Of
teachers, last years graduating class
had no solid geometry, which is a sub
ject required in the state high school,
course and is necessary for admission
to the state university. Prof. Leyen
berger will have five periods taken up
Miss Stevens seven, Miss Murray six
and Miss Crawford six. Mr.. Narney
said that he would take the class in
elementary algebra, Of seventy pupils,
which ought to be divided, aud politi'
cal economy. This would leave Ger
man, civics, physical geography and
one class in history left. Since the
local papers had mentioned the recon-
mendation for teacher of German a
large number of applications had been
received from all parts of the coun.
try, many having very fine recon-
menda tions. One lady, whose recon-.
mendations were of the best, had of.
fered to come for the small salary OF
$500 a year. To show the need OF
another teacher, the high school at
Alexandria has teacher to % pupils
Anoka, to 30; Austin, l to %: Crook
ston, to 25;Faribault, l to 30; Fergus
Falls, l to 26: Hastings, to %; Man
kato, last year l to 81; Minneapolis
central, l to %; North side, to %
South side, l to 20: Redwing, 1 to 20
Saltwater, 1 to %, etc. If the Man
kato high school is held down the
coming year as proposed, there will be
but one teacher to forty-three pupils
and the same work cannot be done
here.
Mr.. Fletcher said that he would cut
off German and enough of the Other
superfuities to get down to the pres
ent corps Of teachers.
Mr.. Cray suggested that even il
German was cut off it would hardly dc
this.
Mr.. Fletcher said that he would cut
off the drawing and music teacher and
hire teacher for the high school in
stead.
Supt. Varney said that it would be
unwise to drop German.
Mr.. Fletcher said that very little
German has been taught in the high
school.
DR.. Davis said that the day was
coming when young men seeking posi-
tions will have to speak not only Ger
man but Scandinavian. II German
will help the young men the board
owed it to them to have it on the
course, and it was it's duty to do so,
He said that he knew young men who
had left the school who have spoken
German from what they learned there,
Mr.. Parry said that he did not see
the necessity for a German teacher sc
much for this reason, as he doubted
whether the pupils would learn enough
to use the language in conversation
He did not remember any cases OF
this. 1t was good thing to have ii
in the course of study for the benefit
of those who are to get higher edu'
cation. In any event, it is not neces.
sary to teach the language for CONVEX
sational purposes, as we are still in
America.
Mr.. Varney said that if German was
dropped it would hurt the school
throughout the state, and would also
hurt b i'm, as it would be laid to the
new superintendent. A wrong i'm
preston had gotten out that he IA
vored dropping it. This was not SOFAS
all present knew.
Mr.. Fletcher said that the most OF
the young lady graduates from the
high school can do nothing but teach
and much that is taught does not
help them. Everything in the course
seems to aim at preparing for the uni
versity. The S4O0 received from the
state for this is mere bagatelle. He
wanted the pupils to learn what was
more practical and something that
would help them if they went into
business. A boy can pour over Latir
book for three or four years and not
be able to keep a set Of books. There
is something wrong. The board keeps
adding on teachers and the pupils d.
not get what they need. They get {
little smattering Of Latin, German
Greek and mathematics and end there
and then go out into the world ant
hang around corners waiting for job
Mr.. Cray moved that a new teacher
be provided for the high school a!
recommended by the superintendent
and this was carried, Mr.. Fletche
voting no, and all the other member
yes.
The bills were allowed, including
the second estimate of Rouse & Co, OF
the West Mankato annex, $3.50.
Some "reminiscences.
n-S 49, M Co-o oe n..,