The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-10-01
HIGH SCHOOL GYM.
The Athletic Association Wants to
Exercise Authority Over 1t.
School Board Not Inclined to Grant
the Request.

Mr.. Fletcher was the only member
absent from the meeting Of the school
board Monday.
The first business up was the ap-
proval of the bond of Treasurer Key
sor. This bond was for $4,000, and
had as sureties ]. H. Ray, Jno. f.
Thomas, John Klein, L. A. Under,
F. K. Meagher and W. G. Hoerr. 1t
was duly approved and ex-Treasurer
Jones will at once turn the funds over
to Capt. Keysor.
A bill of Odjard & knott, of S29S.S IS,
for school furniture, ETC., furnished
the various buildings, was allowed.
A bill of S15 from Miss Mary Inger-
man for substituting for Miss Minnie
Van Blarcum for one week, ia the
eigth grade Of the high schools
was allowed, with the understand
ing that the amount is to be de-
Quoted from Miss Van Blarcum's
fist months salary. Hitherto
teachers have hired their own
substitutes and whoever they
wanted, sometimes sending the bill to
the board. A new plan has been
adopted this year, whereby the board
procures the substitute and deducts
the expense from the salary of the
teacher who is absent. 1t is believed
that better results will follow by pur-
suirg this plan.
Supt. Varney presented list of
supplies which Miss Stevens desires
in the science work. The list covered
what will be needed during the year,
and amounted to about S65, the arti-
Giles being largely chemicals and ap-
planes for the classes in physics and
chemistry. Mr.. Varney said that it
had heretofore been the custom to buy
little at time, as needed, but that
he did not care to bother the board
with so many small acquisitions, so
had put them all in one.
On motion of Capt. Keysor, the
matter was referred to the SchOOl
committee with power to act.
Srpt. Varney called the boards at
tention to the fact that there is no
dictionary in the West Mankato build
ing, and he was authorized to pur-
chase one.
Supt. Varney said that he had one
more matter to bring before the board.
The high school gymnasium has been
under the control Of the high school
athletic association. The board has
appropriated $500 in the past toward
the gymnasium, and the athletic as
ISOLATION has borne the remainder of
the expense, through an initiation
fee of 25 cents, good for five years
membership, and the proceeds of
entertainments. At one time, the
association was in debt over $3.50 to
purchase more appliances. The debt
is now reduced to ,S19.15. The ques-
tion that arises is, WHO shall have
control Of the gymnasium?" After
comforting with Prof. Leyenberger
and the teachers, he had decided to
advise that it be turned over to the
athletic association to have control so
long as it includes twO-thirds of the
boys in the school, and manages the
gymnasium satisfactorily, and the
members conduct themselves ia a
gentlemanly manner. Two-thirds Of
the boys IN the school belong to the
association, and anyone can join by
paying a small fee. The members
complain that non-members 60 into
the room and injure the apparatus
with their heavy shoes.
President Williams said that this
same matter came up year ago and
that the board then sat down upon it.
When the gymnasium is turned over
to the students, it is practically made
an open house to the public.
Prof. Varney said that no outsiders
would be allowed in the gymnasium
in any event.
Mr.. Cray said that delicate ques-
tion arose as to whether the board
could say that some Of the boys
could not use the gymnasium unless
they joined the association, when
public money had been invested in it.
Secretary Brewster said that the
board of education had never invested
a dollar in the gymnasium. 1t had
merely fitted up the room.
Mrs. Smith said that the first ap-
paratus purchased had been paid for
by entertainments.
President Williams said that one
objection to the plan proposed had
been found in the past to be the fact
that the boys would go there nights
and would go away and leave the
lights burning all night. II they had
control they would have the keys.
Mr.. Varney said that the associa-
tion has it's officers, who would be held
accountable. it has voted an assess
ment of ten cents each to pay off the
remaining debt.
The matter was left until full
board should be present, and an ad-
jOurnment was taken.