The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-08
CITY NEWS
MAY CONSOLIDATE
THE HIGH SCHOOLS
School Board Discusses Advis.
ability of Purchasing Site foy
Building to CostS5OO,0O0.

A high school, which will accommo-
date all the pupils of the city, may pc
erected at a cost of at least $5OO,Ooo
In ST. Paul within the next three years.
The question as to whether an effort
to purchase additional lots for the
Central and the Mechanic Arts hlgh
schools In order to permit enlarglng
the buildings, should be made during
the coming year, came before the poaro
of school inspectors yesterday at
special meeting.
Upon the recommendation OF Supt.
A. ]. Smith, it was decided to place
the high school question In the hanos
of a committee, which will spend
wear in investigating whether it will
be best to enlarge the present build
tngs or erect one large central structure
which will accommodate all hgp
school pupils of the city.
"The high school question in TINS
city is one which should be thoroughly
investigated by the board said Supt.
Smith. "and I would recommend that
a committee be appointed to spend a
wear in looking into the matter before
any action is taken.
1.-THE board has been consolidating
schools at one meeting and undolng
its acts at the next for so long, that
believe in this case you should be thor
oughly acquainted with the SITUATION
before acting.
"Cities all over the country are build
ing their high schools for the future
and st. Paul should do likewise 1t
will cost close to 100000 to build and
equip a thirty-two-room high school,
and at least 100000 to build one large
enough to consolidate all the high
schools of the city.
Saving in Consolidation.
at is certain that it would be prac-
teal and financial saving to consoH-
date the schools. 1t now costs about
S33 a year to maintain a pupil at the
Central high school, while the cost at
the Humboldt school is $50, at the
Cleveland school $50 and at the Me-
chanic Arts about $50 per year.
1.-The committee should also investi-
gate the courses of studies now offered
at the high schools. There are many
changes being made in the curriculums
all over the country, and st. Paul could
also make some profitable ones.
'The work being done in other cities
should be thoroughly looked into and
every one, who has any ideas on the
subject, should be given hearing. The
committee should collect all the infor-
nation possible so that the board will
know exactly what to do when 1T
makes it's report a year hence.
st Paul schools are still in an eX-
perimental stage. The citizens have
many burning questions to consider
concerning them and these should be
thoroughly settled. For instance, there
is a question as to whether, the Me-
chanic Arts high school should be turn
ed into a trade school, and there are
also Others The. question of CONSOLE
dating all the high schools of the city
is an important one and should be
considered carefully"
Board Discusses Purchase of Site.
The board went into secret session
soon afterward to consider the pur-
chase of a site for the proposed new
high school upon which it has recent
ly been offered an option. The pur-
chase of lots adjoining the sites OF the
Central and Mechanic Arts high schools
was also discussed.
After half hours session, 1t was
decided not to purchase any property
this year. but to act upon Supt. Smiths
suggestion. The matter will again be
taken up at the special meeting of the
board next Wednesday and commit
tee will be appointed to investigate the
high school situation.
st do not. see why st. Paul should not
have a 100000 high school," said In
spector G. A. Fisher after the meeting,
sand I believe the other members of
the board think as I do, if the money
can be secured to erect the building.
1t would be a great thing for the city
and think would improve the work in
the high schools as well as lessen the
cost"