The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-02-04
REINSTATED.
The School Board Declines to Ex'
pei Young Duane,
But Allows Him to Return to School on
Promise That he Will Attend to
Business.

The school board held it's regular
monthly session last evening and all
members of the board were present
Superintendent Varney read a re.
port covering a number of matters
| for the board to take action upon.
Regarding the sc hool work proper, he
said that with the hearty cooperation
of the teachers he had been able tC
accomplish as much in the half year
as he had expected to in the full year.
He explained at some length the
method of grading and handling the
pupils and promoting them. AS re,
suit of the half year examinations
about IS per cent have been promoted,
being about 10 per cent more than he
had expected. Said his duties in the
high school prevented his giving the
time and attention to the grades that
he would like to. He also read re-
port showing that the work in music
IN the schools was well graded, but
in drawing was not in so good shape.
The attendance in the high school
was reported as good with but few
cases of hardness. One case of sus-
pension was reported, that of Oliver
Duane for smoking in the engine
room. The superintendent asked that
the board take some action in this
case, as the boys conduct was bad
and his moral influence upon the
school most detrimental. He recon-
mended that the boy be expelled.
A number of cases where parties
thought they ought not to pay tut
tion for children attending school in
the city, were also referred to the
board for action. Several Of the
parties were clear cases where tut
tion should be paid, and the board so
decided later in the evening. Another
case was where family had moved to
the city and declared their intention
to make their permanent residence
here, but the father was obliged TO
remain on the farm until spring. The
board decided to accept their declara-
tiOD.
The question coming up as to the
tuition in the grades below the 8th,
Mr.. Fletcher moved that it be fixed
at 81 per month for the remainder of
this year. This was declared out of
order as a months notice to change
the rules must be given. S. B. Will
son then presented written notice
that at the next regular meeting he
would move to make the tuition in
all the grades up to the 9Th 81 per
month. This will only effect the 7th
grade as it is 81 in all grades below
that one.
Prof. Emerson, of the West Mankato
school, asked the board to provide a
wash bowl, pitcher, towels and mir
ror, for the accommodation of the
teachers and pupils of the school. A
motion was made to include the same
for Franklin school, and it was
adopted.
Prof. Emerson also again presented
the need of an organ for the West
Mankato schools, Said that the other
schools in the city were all provided
for, and the west side school needed
one in their work every day. The
matter was finally referred to the
school committee with power to act.
The case against Oliver Duane was
then called up, and Mr.. Fletcher said
that as the young man was present he
thought it no more than right that
he should be allowed to present his
side to the board.
In addressing the board, Duane said
that in smoking IN the engine room, it
was his first and only offense In that
line, and would be his last. He &C.
knowledged that he had done wrong in
breaking the rules, and admitted that
he had net applied himself in the past
as he ought to have done, and if rein
stated would endeavor to do better.
He thought expulsion for the one Of
tense of smoking was rather severe.
Mr.. Fletcher said that he did not
like to expel a pupil if he would
promise to do what was right, and
then go ahead and do it. If the
promise was not lived up to, he would
not be so lenient next time He felt