The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-02-10
NEW JANITOR.
Charges Against Old Janitor are
Sustained.
School Board Takes Radical Action ia
the Case of Janitor McCollum, of
the High School.

All of the members were present at
the adjourned meeting of the school
board Tuesday night except Mr..
Fletcher. The janitor was also present.
DIR. Webster, for the special commit
tee appointed to investigate the charges
of incompetency made against Janitor
McCollum, of the high school, by Supt.
Varney, presented written report, as
follows: Upon inquiry Of all the
teachers in the high school. and upon
personal investigation, we find the
charges as made by the superintendent
fully substantiated
This report was signed by all of the
members of the committee, DR.. Web
ster, Capt. Keysor and II. 1. Parry.
DR.. Webster stated that. he had been
necessarily called away, but that the
other members of the committee had
seen all of the teachers of the building
and had made personal investigation
Certain questions about the janitor' s
competence to do his work were put to
the teachers, and Dr. Webster read the
answer made by each. The answers
were pointed and all one way.
Capt. Keysor said that one teach er
had been sent for at a time and the
answers taken down He had visited
| the engine room and found the machin
cry unclean and likely to be damaged.
The condition the pump is in today, it
will soon be an old machine. .
Mr.. Parry said that he had been
struck by the unanimity of opinion as
expressed by the teachers. All had
answered the same way.
| A motion by Mr. Wilson to accept
the report was unanimously adopred.
Capt Keysor said that two or three
of the teachers had spoken particularly
of the help and patience of Supt. Var
ney in regard to the janitor's work.
Mrs. Smith stated that at one time
the janitor had had assistance, and
asked whether the work is now too
much for one person. This point led to
considerable discussion, but it was
stated that when the salary was raised
to 1850 year, the janitor was to do all
of the work. The present janitor has
been paid but $405 year
Capt Keysor moved that the Office of
janitor of the high school building be
declared vacant He said that he did
not make this motion because of i'll
feeling toward he young man, but for
the best interest of the school.
None of the members of the board de-
sired to discuss the motion, and Presi
dent Cray asked Mr. McCollum whether
he had anything to say. Mr.. Nc
G llum replied that he did not care to
say anything.
The motion was then carried, six yot-
ing for the motion and one, Mr. Will
son, against it.
Secretary Brewster read applications
from T Crowell licensed engineer,
VIM. S. Fisher, who was at the union
depot last summer, and FL. G. Small
Capt Keysor also stated that E. r
Brown, former nitor, would like to
have the position for the rema nder of
the year.
Mr.. Wilson moved that the board
proceed to the election of janitor, and
the first ballot resulted in Mr. Cros ell
getting three votes. Mr.. Brown three,
and Mr. Small oneo On the second
ballot Mr. erowell received four votes
and Mr.. Brown three Mr.. Crowell
was declared elected for the remainder
of the year. nou9sIs
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