Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-05-24
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
The West Side Excited by the UnguardeC
EXPRESSION of MISinformed Editor,

The sentimental ebullitiOn of some
Oyer-ZealOuS school children and the
unguarded editorial comments of our
contemporary over the river set many
well-meaning people on the West side
to criticizing the school board for acts
Of omission and commission which
these officials never thought of before.
The new board Of school directors
appreciated when they were elected
that they had a delicate task to per-
form to so adjust matters under the
new conditions produced by cOnsOlida-
at the same time reasonably satisfy
the prejudices that long years of an
tagonism between Grand Rapids and
Centralia had created. 1t was, how
ever, supposed that the equal repre-
sentation of the East and West sides
on the board would tend to allay suspi-
ciOn and create confidence in the
unseltish work of that body. And the
fact that the board has been practi-
cally unit on nearly all matters so
far passed upon shows that whatever
has been done has been with the ap-
prOval of the members from the West
side. AS matter of fact we think
the whole board is deserving of COM
mendatiOn for the good Judgment
they have SO far exhibited in the many
delicate and veXed questions they
have had to consider.
So much for the general conduct of
the board. Now as to the alleged
grievance relative to the retirement
of Prof Van Dusen from the West
side schools and his acceptance of the
principalShip of the Jefferson schools.
On April IA the board met and organ
lied at Judge Gaynor'S office, G. P.
Hambrecht was chosen Superinten-
dent, the resignation of E. B. Brun-
dage accepted. A. L. FOntaine chosen
to succeed him, standing committees
were appointed and some minor mat
terS of business talked over and that
was all. On April % or % Mr.. Van
Dusen applied for the principalShip Of
the schools at Jefferson, and sometime
after this he was approached by two
different members Of the teachers
committee and asked if he would re-
main as principal of the West side
schools for another year at his old
salary. They told him that his work
would be lighter than it formerly had
been, that the board was most friendly
towards him and would probably ex-
tend cordial invitation for him to
remain another year. He then told
them about his application for the
schools at Jefferson and elsewhere, and
asked that the board hold the matter
of his appointment here open until he
had heard definitely from his applica-
tiOnS, because if he could get the
Jefferson school he would get a salary
of $1,000 a year, and in that case he
would not want to remain here even
if the board would pay him what he
thought he ought to have, which was
$1,000 year. And the matter was
left in this shape and to all appear
anceS satisfactory to both parties.
Later Mr.. Van DuSen closed a contract
with the Jefferson schools, and frankly
acknowledges thatsae would not under
any circumstances remain here for
anything less than the offer he got
from Jefferson. So it will be seen
that the boards treatment of Mr..
Van DuSen is more than ordinarily
generous and fair-minded.
Mr.. Van DuSen is very much pleased
over his call to the Jefferson schools at
a salary of S1100 a year, and his friends
should rejoice with him. rather than
regret that the board did not by hasty
action secure his services for
$3.50 less money.
This is all there is to the tempest
in a teapot created by the Tribune
ill-advised editorial.