The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-03-11
new Superintendent
School Board Elects ]. II. Mcdonnell Z
to the Position.
Winnebago City Man Lands on the
Thirty-eighth Ballot.
Election Made Unanimous, ard Salary
Fixed at ST, ZOO.
New Superintendent Is Young Eut Ex-
perienCed Man.
From MONDAYS Daily.

From Mondays Daily.
The school board Saturday night, on
the thirty eighth ballot, elected Prof.
James M. Mcconnell of Winnebago City
superintendent of schools to succeed
Superintendent Uline, who did not desire
reelection. The contest narrowed
down after a. few ballots to Mr.. Neon
nell and Prof. Hollands of Wells, who
received three ballots nearly every time.
The adjourned meeting was attended
by all of the members of the board ex-
cept Mrs. Smith. The question was ask
ed whether the latter could not be allow
ed to vote by proxy, but it was stated
that she did not care to vote in this
manner or over the telephone, as her hus-
band had informed her that such manner
of voting would be illegal. Mr.. Com
stock thought that it would be legal un-
der the rules of the board, which are lib
eral.
Three informal ballots on superintend-
ent were then taken, but without result.
Mr.. Jones then moved that the board
proceed to take formal ballots. This
motion was carried, four to three.
On the thirty eight ballot, Mr.. Nc
Cornell received four votes and was de-
clared elected The election was then
made unanimous, on motion of Mr.. Com
stock
Mr.. Comstock moved that the salary
be fixed at 81, 700 year, and Mr.. Fletch-
er moved to amend that it be placed at
81. 900. Mr.. Fletcher spoke of the
finances of the district, but Mr.. Com
stock said that Mankato has the repu-
tation of paying too small salary. de
favored giving adequate compensation,
and if the man was not worth the salary,
get some one who is. The amendment
was lost five to two, and the original
motion was carried by the same vote.
Mr.. Fletcher favored having the super
intendent do some class work. He feit
that the course of study should be shaped
to do away with one teacher in the high
school. The expenses of the district are
high, and it would have to borrow this
year to meet the current expenses, and II
this keeps on more taxes will have to be
raised.
The bills were allowed and the board
adjourned.
Prof. Mcconnell, the new superintend-
emit, is thirty-fve years of age, and has
wife and two boys, five and six years
old The family are Episcopalians. Prof.
Mcconnell graduated from the normal
school at Edinboro, Pa, in 1899, and was
principal of the Sheffield, Pa, schools be-
fore coming to Minnesota. He was sup
erintendent of the Heron Lake school for
three years. He spent two years at
Carleton college as student, and taught
mathematics in the college. In the
spring of 1900 he was elected superin-
tendent of the Winnebago City school,
and later in the spring was elected
city superintendent of the Mortified
schools without applying for the posi-
ton, but could not accept without violat-
ing his contract with the Winnebago
City district, so he went to the latter
place and has remained there ever since.
Before going to Winnebago City, he
taught civics and mathematics in the
Brecht school at Wilder. He also had
experience as a teacher in the graded
schools at Edinboro, Pa.
Prof. Mcconnell is well prepared to
take the superintendency of the Mankato'
city schools. He is young and energetic,
and has been successful in the positions
which he has hitherto filed.