The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-08-12
School Board Makes Several
Changes in Text Books.
Gymnasium In the Basement
of the High School.
Sad Case of Mr.. Cutoff, Who
Cut Off Too Much.
From Thursdays Daily.

From thursdays DalIy.
The only absent member at the meet
ing of the school board last night was
Mrs. Smith, who was out of the city.
Captain Keysor reported that he is
crowding the repairs on the different
buildings as fast as possible and getting
along very well. He also reported that
it is time that the district is looking out
for its winters supply of wood. Last
year about 240 cords were used.
Captain Keysor was authorized to
have black dirt placed on the Mulberry
street boulevard at the Union school and
the boulevard seeded.
The committee on property and ex-
pense was authorized to advertise for
bids for 240 cords of wood.
The resignation of Miss Edith NJ. An
derson as teacher of the fifth grade in
the Franklin school was received and ac-
cepted. She stated that she desired to
take a one years course in the state
university.
A communication was received from
Miss Esther Friedlander asking to be
released from her position as Latin
teacher in the high school, for the rea-
son that she had been offered a very de-
sirable position in the Minneapolis high
school if released. The request was
granted.
Miss Della Gill was promoted from the
fourth to the fifth grade in the Fran
kiln school, and Miss Annie NJ. Skuse
was elected fourth grade teacher at a
=" month. She is a graduate
~ school 4ni has had two
yra hence tea h;,.
Miss irien G. Gle, history teacher
in tie eighth g. e. vas promoted to
Miss Friedlander's position in the high
school, and her salary was placed at
SO a month, an ;ncrea So of $40.
Mrs. Edna Cook MS elected to Miss
Cutters position in tn eighth grade at
a salary of SEQ month. She is gradu-
ate of the high and normal schools and
taught successfully two or three years
in the eighth grade several years ago.
She is a sister of Director Comstock, of
the board.
Superintendent Mcconnell was present
and made a number of recommended
tions and suggestions. He recommend
ed that Gunnison & Harley's Latin book
be substituted for the present one used
in first year work, the price being the
same and there being no extra expense
to the students. The recommendation
was adopted Mr.. Mcconnell then rec
commended that revised edition of
Meyers ancient history be adopted in
the place of the old edition now in use.
1t brings ancient history down four
hundred years later, from the Roman
until the time of Charlemagne. This
was also adopted. The price is the same.
Mr.. Mcconnell suggested that instead
of full year being given to English
history, as the new course of study pro-
vides, only half year be given to it,
and that the first half of the year be
given to medieval history. This would
connect the ancient history with modern
history. Half year is the usual length
of time given in schools for English his
tory. This matter was referred to the
committee on schools and textbooks and
the superintendent with power to act.
Mr.. Mcconnell said that grammar
and arithmetic had been provided for
the high school, but that no textbooks
had been selected. He also said that in
laboratory work it is desirable to have
laboratory manuals in addition to the
text books, which of themselves are not
sufficient. Both of these matters were
referred to the school committee and the
superintendent with power to act.
Mr.. Mcconnell said that there is a va
cant room in the basement, about 40 by
% feet, which he thought could well be
used as gymnasium. There is good
deal of gymnasium apparatus scattered
about the building and not in use, that
could be placed in the room, and there
need be no expense attached. The sup
erintendents of the state have an athletic
association, and entries can only be
made by students whose standing in
their studies entities them to take part
in contests. The matter was referred
to Captain Keysor and the superintend-
ent with power to act and power to
spend not to exceed $25 in making neces-
sary alterations.
Mr. Mcconnell suggested that the ply
steal laboratory be moved from the
basement to the room on the first floor
of the school building that has been u.s.
ed for bookkeeping class. There would
be no expense, and the laboratory facili- !
ties would be in enlarged. This matter
was left to the superintendent to do as
he sees fit.
The matter of laboratory and school |
supplies, was left to the school commit
tee with power to act. 1t developed that
nothing has yet been ordered, although
the time for opening school is drawing