The Mankato free press., 1904-02-05
School Board Will Choose New Super.
intendent in One Month.
Applications for the Position Must Be
Made in Person.
Duties of New Health Committee Re.
ported and Laid Over.
Fire Drill Of Pupils in the Different
Buildings Favored.

Every member of the school board ex-
cept Rev. Davis, who is unwell, was
present at the meeting last night. The
most important matter taken up related
to the election of superintendent. Mrs
Smith brought the matter up, saying
that many applications for the position
have been received. It developed that
there is rule which provides that the
election of superintendent shall be tax
en- up at the regular meeting in May or
as soon thereafter as practicable. This
prevents any action at this time.
Mr.. Comstock gave notice that he
would present an amendment to the
rules at the next meeting, changing the
word ''May" to March" This will al
low the election to be held at the next
meeting. It was the general opinion that
the sooner the election is had the better,
and the vacancy will undoubtedly be
filled on the first Wednesday night in
March, which is the date of the next
regular meeting.
On motion of Mr.. Comstock, the matter
of applications for the position was re-
ferred to the committee ON schools to
procure all needful information con-
corning the applicants and report at the
next meeting. 1t is understood that no
application will be considered unless
made in person, as the members of the
board feel that they can arrive at a bet
ter understanding of the relative merits
of the candidates after having met them.
The use of the high school assembly
room was granted to County Superin-
tendent Freeman for the teachers exami-
nation Friday and Saturday.
It was reported that Miss Nellie Mills
had substituted one day for Miss Annie
Jones.
The committee on schools and text
books reported the following duties for
the new committee on health: 1
l. To investigate and report to the
board from time to time all cases of
pupils of weak or feeble minded attend
ing the schools.
2. To investigate and report to the
board from time to time plans or rules
for protecting the eyesigkt of pupils.
8. To investigate all cases of pupils
symptoms of contagious diseases, and
see that the same are properly and
promptly reported to the health officer
of the city, and to see that the teachers
and other employees of the district CO.
operate with the health officer of the
city to control and suppress all diseases
in the schools.
4. To have the charge of everything
that affects the health of the pupils of
our schools, subject to the final
action of the board.
The report was laid over until the
next meeting, to be offered then as
rule of the board, on motion
of Mr.. Comstock.
Mr.. Fletcher favored allowing the
feeble minded to remain in school.
Superintendent Uline reported that
Harry Chittenden, fourteen or fifteen
year old boy of the seventh grade of the
Union school, had rebelled and resisted
the teacher when she attempted to pun
ish him, and had fought the teacher. The
affair occurred yesterday, and the teach
er has suspended the boy, and he sus
tanned the suspension, as the boy had
been troublesome for several years.
Mr.. Fletcher thought that the boy
should be allowed to return to school.
President Hughes said that the board
should uphold the authority of the teach
ers.
Mr.. Uline said that he could come
back if he showed the proper spirit.
Mr.. Comstock asked whether there
had been any recent fire drills in the
schools.
Mr. Uline replied that there had not
for year or more, but that the pupils
march rapidly and it had not been
thought necessary. The Pleasant Grove
building can be emptied in three or
four minutes. Drills could be had, how
ever.
Mr.. Comstock said that the teachers
ought to be instructed to empty the
buildings as soon as fire was discovered,
without waiting until it is known to be
serious.
James Spellman appeared before the
board, representing the Kellogg Com
pound Co. of Chicago, manufacturers
of the Kellogg improved boiler compound,
which he said was boiler water puri-
fer and scale remover. 1t was guaran-
teed to prevent all scaling and pitting of
boilers if the instructions as to its use
were followed. An analysis of the city
water is made in Chicago, and the COM
pound is made to suit the water. The
compound costs about $32 barrel on
board the cars in Chicago.
Mr.. Coughlan stated that the Bar
Der Asphalt company used it all last
year and was greatly pleased with it,
saying that it saved the cost several
times over.
The matter was referred to the COM
mittee on property and expense to re-
port at the next meeting.
The bills were allowed. 1t developed
that but $4,000 of insurance is being