The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-07-07
HEATING PLANT.
Franklin School Will Soon Have
One.
The School Board Discusses Sidewalk
Material and State Money for
High Schools.

The meeting of the school board last
night was attended by all of the mem
bers except Mr.. Parry.
A communication was received from
the board of public works giving ten
days notice to construct new side
walks on Broad street in front of the
Franklin school building and on Null
berry street by the side of the Union
school grounds.
Capt. Keysor remarked that if the
board did not lay the walks the city
will put down walks constructed OF the
cheapest lumber and charge for the
best
Mr. Fletcher ADVOCATED laying
cement walks, as they would be the
cheapest in the end. The cost OF
cement walks in Minneapolis is only
sixty per cent of the cost in Mankato.
The plank walk in front of the Frank
lin building was laid twenty-three
years ago, but lumber now does not
seem to be as good as it was then,
Capt. Keysor said that much of the
lumber used in the construction of
walks laid by the city is sappy and will
rot in four years. We don't begin to
get the lumber now that we used to.
They sort it two or three times and add
50 every time they sort it.
a Mr.. Fletcher said that cement walk
would cost $3.50, but that it would pay
in the end. It would be better if the
city had an ordinance requiring that
stone or cement walks be laid in all
parts of the city, as it would be saw
ing. He moved that the property COM
mittee get figures on plank and cement
walks for both schools. This was
carried.
A communication was received from
the state superintendent asking whether
the board intended to apply for the
$500 state money allowed by law to
high schools that come up to a certain
standard and admit nonresident
students free of cost.
Mr.. Fletcher opposed admitting non
resident students to the high school, as
he said that the indications were that
the building would be crowded next
year. 1t would not pay to build an ad-
dition to the building for the non
esident pupils. There is no room for
he eighth grade if it has to move out,
as there are no vacant rooms in the
other buildings except one room in the
West Mankato building.
DIR. Webster moved that the secretary
be authorized to fill out and send in an
application for the state money. If thir-
ty or forty young people from around
the county are getting their educa-
ton here it is serious matter to break
it off.
Mr.. Fletcher said that the city does
nobly when it bears the burden of edu-
eating its own children. 1t is new
community with comparatively little
wealth. ...
The motion was carried unanimously.
Mr.. Fletcher brought up the matter
of ballots for free text books at the
coming school election.
President Cray said that separate
ballots and boxes should be provided
for the vote on free text books.
Capt. Keysor asked whether the
ladies could vote on the text book
question, and Mr.. Cray replied that
they could.
On motion of DR.. Webster, the secre-
tary was instructed to procure 1900
ballots for and the same number
against free text books. The board
believes that this question will call out
very full vote.
Mr.. Coughlan moved that the board
procure plans and specifications for a
steam heating plant in the Franklin
building, and this was carried, Mr..
Fletcher casting the only opposing vote.
On Mr.. Coughlan's motion, the board
voted to employ Architect Gerlach to
prepare the plans and specifications
The following judges of election were
appointed:
First precinct-H. F. Shaw, Henry
Hiilesheim and John Mahowald.
Second precinct-W D. Tompkins,
Mrs. L. j. Slower and Geo. M. Phillips.