The Mankato free press., 1900-03-09
1,646 1910 1924

The total average attendance during
December was 1. 40, January 1854 and
February 1924, the decrease since De-
cember being 1856. The falling off in
the high school building is 33, Pleas
ant Grove 56, Union %, West Mankato
81, Franklin "a. There is gain of
one in the East Mankato school,
The remainder of Supt. Uline's re-
port was as follows:
"The foregoing tables show a great
or falling off in attendance than has
been recorded in our schools since May.
1898, when there was decrease of 238
in one month. Since December in
fuenza and munps and inclement wea-
ther have combined to bring our atten-
dance down to 1.224, indicating loss
of 1S6. Although there has been a
slight improvement during the past
week still the conditions point to fur
ther continuation of epidemic The
mu mps reached climax in the high
school this week Over half of the
children in the eighth grade have not
yet had the disease. though it is safe to
say that nearly all of them have been
exposed. These facts, together with
the inclemency of the season, give little
hope for speedy cessation of epidemic.
In the mean time it is playing havoc
with school work, rendering our hopes
for marked improvement in scholar
ship during the school semester quite
groundless, The schools lack the in
spiration and enthusiasm of numbers,
while moreover much of the work that
is now being done will have to be done
over in order that the large number
who have fallen back during their alb
sence may not be entirely neglected.
"It has been customary in the past to
grant one day in each year to such
teachers as may wish it for visiting
schools. Much of this visiting has been
done in Mankato where teachers are
already more or less familiar with one
another's work. have therefore pro-
posed to the teachers that they go else
where this year, namely, to neighbor-
ing cities or to Minneapolis and ST.
Paul. Teachers will report to me both
beforehand as to their plans, and after
wards as to results. In this way only
may we hope to secure the maximum
benefits in granting teachers visiting
days.
with exception of a very few delin-
quents the tuition cases for the term
are all settled. l have today turned
over to your treasurer $44.90, which,
when completed by outstanding cases,
will reach about S55. This amount is
smaller than may be expected for two
reasons: The winter term is six weeks
shorter than the fall term. and few of
our tuition students have dropped out.
The total, however, for the first two
terms exclusive of the spring term, is
$134 so, which, your secretary tells me,
is over thirty per cent more than was
received for the entire school year of
$500 Heretofore / have not enforced
the school law requiring the payment
of tuition in advance, but 1 have an
nounced that it will be enforced in the
spring term. This will not only save
much unnecessary labor, but it will en-
able me to make fuller collection
than can do;for in the present method
few have evaded payment.
"As the muddy season approaches, I
find that some of our buildings are
poorly supplied with door mats.
"a general request comes from the
teachers for postponement of the va
cation two weeks This would shorten
the spring term by two weeks, and
would give the janitors in the several
buildings more suitable time for
general scrubbing of the buildings, in
that the muddy season is then oyer.
will leave this question with the board
without making any recommendation. :"
Mr.. Fletcher said that the enroll
ment was less than it ought to be and
makes the schools too expensive, owing
TO the number of teachers, Sooner or
later the board would have to meet
problem.
Supt. Uline said that the enrolment
is greater than it was last year.
President Davis ruled this discussion
rs out of order, and the recommended
ions in the superintendent's report
we're taken up.
Mr.. Uline stated that he had pro-
POSITION from travelling agent to sell
ire mats at twenty per cent trade
iscount.