The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-03

Accompanying the budget was let
ter from President Zimmerman ad-
dressed to Mayor kiefer, in which ne
says:
ments | have the honor to submit for your
consideration a fun and compromising ieport
showing the requirements and subm ting tne
annual budget Tor the, maintenance OIL our
free shoots system. 800
The most important question now calling
upon the attention of this board is that OF
providing proper school facilities to accom-
modate our constantly increasing school popu-
lation. At present our school accommooa-
lions are totally inadequate for the accom-
mediation of pupils who are entitled to school
We must have all day sessions If possible,
and good, well-warmed, well-hghted and we'll
ventilated school rooms; not annex rooms In
stores churches, and other buildings, which
are in no way adapted for school purpo-es.
The construction of new buildings and ad-
ditions to our present ones is a serious mat
ter and should be given attention at this
time.
The construction OF new buildings has long
been neglected or made Impossible by lack
of funds and the opening of the present school
year finds that almost every school district
Is greatly in need of additional rooms.
The expenditure within the next three years,
for this purpose of $250,000 would not more
than meet the requirements, therefore we con-
slider it unwise, in the city's present financial
condition (hampered We are by legislation
to ask for sum sufficient to meet the re-
Quirements, on account of the enormous
amount that would be necessary to meet the
demands.
In submitting this budget we make no re-
quest for a fund for new school buildings,
but renew our request of last year, as recon-
fnended in my letter to your predecessor
wherein We question the ACCESSIBILITY of the
construction of new buildings when we have
but limited amount available for educational
purposes.
We advise the preservation, so far as POS
slble of our present school system, and the
repair Of buildings In order that they may be
habtable and fit for occupancy.
1t has been the custom Of the council to
allow such inadequate sums for the commit
tee on real estate, that many repairs and i'm
provements have long been neglected year
after year, and the present deplorable condi-
ton of our buildings makes it necessary that
relief be granted at once; that a larger
amount be allowed this year we deem essen
tial for the economical maintenance of the
school property and to preserve it from fur
ther deterioration.
This past year has managed to hold the
total maintenance account within, the limit
of $4,000 allowed, but such economy has
not been Effected without injury; it no long
or can be said that further economies are pcs
sible without impairing the efficiency of the
school system"
Economy which means refusal to build
school buildings and properly equip them, al
lowing the employment of the proper num-
Der of teachers and placing more than
the proper number of pupils in each room, Is
a short-sighted' policy, which results in
forced impairment of our greatest insttu-
ton.
1t is doubtless good thing and a wise
policy to economic in other lines of munich
pal affairs but when it comes to applying
rigid rules of economy in equipping schools
you strike at the foundation of the institu-
ton most highly priced by all our citizens
The trouble is q great many people do
not or will not realize that the educational
affairs in ST. Paul can no longer be conducted
on village plan, and that our city Is al
great and prosperous as our people try to
make 1t.
There should be, and believe there is, no
difference of opinion regarding the mainte-
hsrh4
broadcast plane.
We desire an appropriation by the coun-
Gil Of sum sufficient to maintain the schools
for the entire year upon the basis suggested
by the accompanying budget.
After a careful consideration Of all mat
tiers by each and every member of the board,
shorten the school year, and the action of the
council will entirely govern our plans for the
employment of teachers and laying out of
the school work for the ensuing year.
1t is our hope that public attention will
be aroused to the necessity Of securing rene
dial legislation in order to give relief and
raise the present school tax rate from two
and one-half mills to rate sufficient to meet
the requirements of our educational system.
We desire that the teachers may feel secure
in their positions and the unrest that has
been felt In the past may be replaced by
feeling Of confidence. The teachers deserve
great credit for the efforts they have made to
hold themselves to their regular duties under
the adverse conditions of the past few years.
1t is to be hoped that before the close of
another year matters will have assumed
definite shape and that any changes in the
administration will have so commended them
selves that we can all undertake our duties
with feeling of certainty and solidity
The majority of the members of this beard
feel encouraged in being able to say that the
general oversight of the educational interests
are In charge OF an official who is superin-
tendent in everything that the term implies.
and that whatever is needful for an improved
efficiency in our schools will be mpartially
carried out
II st. Paul is TO be and remain truly
great city, 1t can only be through the educa-
ton given to her children in the cubic
schools therefore, we need and ask
sympathy and support; the cooperation Of the
common council and Of the citizens of this
city. to whom the public schools belong and
who have a deep interest in their welfare and
efhciency.
The budget gives the number of
teachers nstd during tie coming year
as $50, with salaries as follows:
at 81 100 at 81, 700, at s., 62O, 2 at 81 500.
at 81, AGO, 1 at 81, 800, at 81 ,2O0 at 81 15O
at LOO, at 81, ESQ., l at 81 $50. 80 at 81 0O0'
at $3.50, at $500, at $500, at $3.50 at
500, 81 at S675, at $780, 81 at $780, 4 at $500.
81 ct 1856, 45 at $40, III at $780, 40 at $3.50 "a
at $500, ~ at $3.50.
Schedules submitted with the bud
get showed that the number of pupils
attending the schools for the past year
was 24,24O, and the total number of
sittings is given as 20,556.
For the year ending June 80, 1898.
salaries paid were as follows:
Salaries paid teachers 5000 os1 60