The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22
From Fridays Daily.

Declining to take advantage OF the
opportunity given him to resign from
the high school faculty, Professor
Harold X. Chance, instructor in alge-
bra, was peremptorily discharged by
the board of education at special
meeting of that body last night.
This was not the only business
transacted by the board. The early
part of the session was devoted to
several matters pertaining to the
schools, and finally the case of Mr..
Chance was reached. A motion was
tive session.
Objected to Secrecy.
Mr.. Blissenbach opposed this mo-
ton, saying that there was nothing
to conceal from the public and that
the meeting should be held in the
open. DR.. Beach said he had not
been notified why the special meet
ing had been called and his views
were seconded by others. They had
an linking as to the reason, but as
yet, no formal charge had been
made.
Superintendent Sperry then filed
charges against Mr.. Chance, alleging
disloyalty and incompetency, and
failure in discipline. The question
arose again whether or not to go
into executive session. Attorney Re-
gan stated that the teacher, in ques-
ton, had demanded an open hearing
and that there was, therefore, no &C.
casion to hold the meeting behind
closed doors. The teacher himself
demanded this open hearing, but the
rules of the board of education
which read, that in considering the
qualifications or inefficiency of a
teacher, the meeting is to be held
behind closed doors, and this rule
prevailed.
The board then went into execu-
tive session and the representative of
The Free Press was invited to leave
the room.
Held Secret Meeting.
1t is said that the procedure at
the secret meeting was in substance
as follows:
Mr.. Chance was given the privilege
of remaining throughout the execu.
tive session, which he did. Superin.
tendent Sperry was then called up
on to go into the charges in more
detailed and specific manner and
thereupon the members of the board
and also Mr.. Chance asked that the
principal, Professor j. G. Norby be
summoned. Mr.. Norby then address
sed the board and cOrroborated all
that the superintendent had said
He was cross questioned to some eX-
tent by Mr.. Chance. The latter was
then given the floor and spoke at
considerable length, taking up one
charge after another
Mr.. Chance either denied, qualified
or admitted these charges. He also
admitted that he has discussed the
matter of his possible discharge with
his classes during class periods and
that he had distributed slips of paper
20 the students and requested
them to write thereon their opin-
ion of him as man or as an instruc-
tor. He presented these slips to the
board and some of these seemed to
prove that he had discussed individ.
ual members of the board and facul.
ty members with his classes.
Mr.. Chance Makes Denial.
Mr.. Chance denied that he had
brought the band of young men stu.
dents who had gathered at the high
school and who remained in or
about the building until late hour
The board members were unanimous
that his services would have to be
dispensed with for the benefit of the
school. Several members who had
been most friendly toward him, re-
peatedly urged and even begged him
to present his resignation, showing
that it would be best for his future
However, he positively declined to
resign. He threatened action against
the board in case he was discharged
to recover his salary for the remain
der of the year The outcome of il
was that the board of education
unanimously voted that his contract
as instructor be cancelled to take eff
ect forthwith.
Superintendent Sperry this morn
ing engaged Mrs. G. H. Traitor, wife
of Professor Trafton of the normal
school to take the classes for the
present.
Took Up Matter Of Heating.
Again the board of education took