The Mankato free press., 1903-08-14
Manual Training Department Loses
Prof. Pierce, but Gets Another.
Enlargement Of the Department Is
Delayed Several Months.
The Board Votes Not to Open the
Schools on Labor Day.
Curb, Gutter and Boulevard Voted for
Union School Grounds.
From Wednesdays Daily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
The school board held a special meet
ing last night to consider the request
of Prof. Pierce to be released from the
position of teacher of the manual train
ing department Every member was
present except Mrs. Smith, who was out
of the city, and other business was trans
acted
A letter to Superintendent Uline from
Prof. Pierce, dated Aug. Sd, was read,
in which he stated that he has been of
fered an opportunity to graduate from
the state university in one year, without
expense, but this offer is only good the
coming year. He considered it a great
opportunity, but if the board would not
release him, he would return and teach
next year. He recommended Carroll w.
Angler of Litchfeld for the position, say
ing that he could be gotten for $40 per
month. Mr.. Angler has made a speciality
of manual training, and has two other
positions open for him.
The board voted to accept the resigna-
ton of Mr.. Pierce, and the application of
Mr.. Angler was then read, offering to
take the position at so per month. Mr..
Pierce received S75 a month last year,
and would have received 800 month
the coming year.
Mr. Angler was elected, receiving five
ballots. Mr. Hughes thought that the
board should take more time to look
around before filling the position, but
others thought that it was now late, and
manual training teachers are especially
hard to get. The salary was fixed at
SO per month.
President Davis reported that the Man
kato Manufacturing company will con-
meet a shaft with the engine that runs
the fan in the high school and put in four
lathes in the manual training depart
ment for $685., or six lathes for $465,
or would put in small engine with four
lathes for. $2SS, and with six lathes
for 1896. Mr. Davis thought that
owing to the change in teachers it would
be better not to increase the plant at
present. He would have favored it with
Prof Pierce as teacher. He suggested
that the matter be deferred until the
Christmas holidays at least.
On motion of Mr.. Comstock, the mat
ter was referred back to the committee
to report again at the regular meeting
in November.
Mr. Davies brought up the matter of
closing the schools on labor day and
moved that the superintendent be in
structed to notify the teachers that
they need not appear on that day and to
give notice to the pupils through the
papers.
President Davis said that there was a
rule requiring that the schools open on
the first Monday in September. This
rule was made before the day was made
a legal holiday The board cannot re-
quire the teachers or pupils to be pres
ent.
Mr.. Hughes said that it was wrong to
hold school on labor day in spite of the
law and the request of several hundred
citizens.
Mr.. Fletcher said that the schools cost
Sl75 day to operate. The pupils would
be present only an hour in the morning
to get their books.
Mr.. Comstock gave notice that at the
next meeting he would introduce an
amendment to the rules to have the
school open on the first Tuesday in Sep
tember instead of the first Monday. He
said that some of the laboring men say
that it is an advantage to them to have
the schools open on holiday, as they
can 90 to the stores personally and select
the books. On the other hand, he saw
no argument against recognizing labor
dav. and thought that the board should
recognize it.
Mr.. Davies said that there ought not
to be school on labor day, as :. would
keep the teachers and janitors busy
good part of the day, depriving them of
the holiday, while the parents would
have to stay home to get the children
ready for school.
Mr.. Fletcher said the normal school
opens on Tuesday and it would make
much confusion at the book stores to
have the two schools open on the same
day.
The motion was carried.
Capt Keysor brought up the matter of
placing a curb and gutter along the Null
berry street side of the Union school
grounds. He said that the property own
ers are improving the other side of the
street in this manner along the entire
block. He thought that the same i'm
provement should be made along the
side of the school grounds. He estimat-
ed the expense of curbing, guttering and
boulevarding at 5000.
Mr. Davies moved that the committee
on property and expense be instructed to
obtain bids for doing the work and have
it done by the lowest bidder.
Mr.. Comstock said that he could see
that there was going to be an expense Of
$3.50 to $500. He did not think that the
board ought to spend all of its money
this year, as it had done much in the way
of improvement and repairs already.
The motion was carried, four to three,
and the board adjourned.