The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-09-06
FALLING OFF.
Attendance at Public Schools
Goes Backward.
A Start on Manual Training Can be
Made for 81 900 to 81, 2O0.-.No
Chsnge in Rhetorics.

| The meeting of the school board last
night was attended by a bare quorum
of five, DIR. Webster, Mrs. Smith and
Mr.. Coughlan being absent.
Capt. Keysor was called upon for a
report as to the condition of the vari-
GUS buildings at the opening of the
term. He reported that someone had
entered the West Mankato' school and
stolen the clock. He had contracted
for another. Everything had started
off as usual at the beginning of the
term, some kicking and some not kick
ing.
A new lock was ordered secured for
the West Mankato building.
President Davis presented report
for the special committee on manual
| training. From one source the COM
mittee had learned that benches and
tools would cost over $500. Supt.
Franklin of Faribault had written
that benches, tools and material for
the department there had cost S725,
and it was intended to add $500 to $500
a year to the plant for several years.
A teacher was secured for 5000, which
is very low, as it is difficult to find
teachers for manual training and
mechanical drawing. The plant &C
commodities a class of eighteen in the
shop at one time, and over a hundred
can be accommodated in ALL
President Davis thought that the
system could be started in the Man
kato high school by spending $4O0 for
benches and tools and $50 to 500 for
material. A teacher would have to be
secured. To introduce manual training
would take 81, 900 to 81, 200 in all
Mr.. Fletcher said that this estimate
was only on wood work and joining,
and that for iron work another teacher
would have to be secured.
President Davis said that all branches
would not have to be introduced.
Capt. Keysor remarked that it would
not do to show Partially to those who
want training in woodwork and join
ing. Some students would prefer other
lines.
Mr.. Comstock said that iron work is
the most important now. On his
motion, the committee was continued.
to report at some future meeting, as
there was need of more information
on the subject.
President Davis said that he and
Supt. Uline Intended to visit the twin
city schools and observe the work in
manual training being done there.
Supt. Uline presented his first
monthly report for the year. 1t showed
that the attendance is slightly less
than at the opening year ago, the
falling.off being marked in the upper
grades at the Franklin and Union
buildings. The primary grades are
stronger. The enrolment is as follows,
by buildings:
Franklin 266, Union 2S9, Pleasant
Grove 800, West Mankato 1859, eighth
grade 103, high school 1856, total 1, 4O2
At the end of September last year the
total enrolment was 1901. Mr.. Uline
said that he believed that there would
be smaller enrolment this year than
last.
Mr.. Uline said that over thirty in
the high school want book keeping.
After consultation, he suggested that
the Williams & Rogers text book be
adopted. 1t costs one dollar. He also pro-
posed that Herrick&Damon's rhetoric,
costing a dollar, be substituted for
Genung's rhetoric and the English
composition now used, which together
cost $3.50. This would be saving of
80 cents and would give better results.
Three students have asked for zoology.
Prof. Smith has made speciality of
this subject and is disappointed be-
cause the board does not have it on the
high school course. He would like to
teach it outside of school hours, fur
nishing his own books and material.
The superintendent recommends
tions were taken up and discussed.
President Davis said that he had ex-
amined both rhetorics mentioned and
considered Genung's the best. If he
had thought the other the best he
would have favored change.
A letter from Miss Fullerton, giving
reasons why change is desirable,
was read, but opposition to frequent
changes in text books was made, and a
motion by Mr.. Davies that the change
be made was lost by vote of three
against to two for.
The board generously voted to allow
Prof. Smith to teach zoology with his
own books and material, provided it
did not take time from his regular
school work.
Williams & Rogers text book on
book keeping was adopted Prof. Roth
will teach the subject.
The bills were allowed.
President Davis referred to the cir
cular from the state board of health,
requiring that pupils .-and teachers
show evidence of successful vaccination