The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-02-14
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING
Election 70 DO Held Fob. Is
to Vote on the Issuance Of
Bonds 20 Build Same.

to Vote ON the Issuance of
Bonds 70 Build Same.
On Tuesday, Feb. Is, the citizens
of Mitchell will he called upon TO
vote on the issuance of S69, 900 in
bonds for the erection of a new high
school building. The result Of that
election will determine to some OK.
tent which wav Mitchell is travelling
toward a progressive idea or re-
naming at the post. In 1894, when
the west side high school building
was dedicated to school uses, there
was not much spare Dol left in the
building. That structure at that
time was built to relieve a congested
condi. ion aud to prepare for what
ever growth might come to the city
in Tie future. That was fourteen
years ago. Then ..the population of
Mitchell was about $500, and the
school buildings were full. Today
the population .of.. Mitchell is 5000
without a doubt, and yet we are
putting up with the same school
facilities that we did when we we're
two-thi'ds smaller. By the very
nature of u growth and develop
ment 1t would seen that another
building would be necessary.
The vest side high school assembly
roo u was fitted up for one hundred
pupils in which to remain and study
and reclte their lessons. AS long as
that one hundred pupils did not In
crease the assembly room answered
the pu pose. The ventilation was
good, and the teaching force vas
sufficient. Today instead of one
hundred pupils occupying the as
sembly room, there is an enrolment
of nearly 2l5 who are trying to make
heauway in their studies under the
most adverse conditions. The SUPER
intendent and principal tried the
experiment Of running the high
school on half day sessions. The
futility Of 1t was soon discovered
when the examinations began. Forty
per cent Of the pupils we're falling in
their studies. OF a necessity that
mad to be stopped, for complaint was
soon entered by the parents OF the
pupils because they we're failing.
Consequently the efforts of the
teachers are now concentrated on
housing over 200 pupils into quarters
that we're so intended. The
ventilation In the room is necessarily
very had and If sickness does not
come to some of the pupils it will be
the result of the intervention of a
very kind providence.
One of the things which Mitchell
has to offer to people of this state Or
any of the adjoining states, should
they desire to move here is the school
facilities, and under the present
cIrcH stances an outsider could not
be asked to now here for that pur-
pose. and it is doubtful if he would
after looking over the crowded con-
ditions of the high school DEPART
ment. This feature of Mitchell's
future growth must be taken care
Of before the time m when it will
be too late.
Naturally the question arises as
to the futrue outlook OF the times,
whether they are to be good or bad,
and Ii the increased tax will be a
burd n on the people. There are
some who doubtless will feel that 1t
is an extra burden, but judging from
the expression OF the 100 business
men who were assembled 10 a mass
meeting at the city hall one year ago
that question is settled In their
minds at least. Among that number
of men gathered on that occasion
the opinion was practically unan-
imous that Mitchell must build
that high school building within a
reasonab BILE time, and taking into
consideration the over crowded
condition of the high school building
at this time a further delay does
not appear to have an advantageous
offriny.
1t is held by some, however. that
something might be done at the
west size school building to provide
for the overflow. This matter has
been looked into before projecting
the building proposition, and the
only feasible way out Of 1T seemed
to be the erection Of the new build
ing. which will meet the needs OF
Mitchell for a good many years to
come. We are banking on the as
sumption that the CITY Is going 10
keep on growing and developing, and
the future outlook seems to warrant
the assumption. Times may change,
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