The Holt County sentinel., 1914-06-19

case:
At a Sunday school picnic held In
Liberty township In the summer Of
1911. the discussion Of a Rural High
School was raised. After discussing
the matter, II was decided 10 call
meeting TO discuss IL further and 10
make Investigations as to the needs
and necessary steps In order TO secure
high school. AT this meeting II
vas decided that several meetings
should be held to arouse an interest
and TO come to an underst anding as
to tab,ishing a high school. Geo.
N. Melcher, chief clerk Of the Depart.
ment OF Education, came up from
jefferson City In February, 1912, and
discussed the subject at Minnesota
Valley and New Liberty schoolhouses,
and outlined the necessary steps.
At the annual school meeting, April,
1872, the proposition to consolidate
Ross Grove, Minnesota Valley, Dale
Center and New Liberty school dis.
tricts was submitted by notice given
IN the annual school meeting notices.
The results were as follows: Ross
Grove, u for, u against: dale Center,
10 for. b against: Minnesotn Valley, ~
for, 10 against: In New Liberty there
was much opposii lon and the meet.
ing was adjourned by the opposition
before tie question OF consolidation
could lie put before the house. After
the meeting was adjourned, q few OF
those favoring the proposition held a
decla red II carried. After invest liza.
tion II was decided that the last
named election was illegal and that
the matter should be appealed TO the
county superintendent of schools.
Upon reception Of the appeal Coun.
~ Superintendent Rock appointed J.
y. Slater, Joseph Garrett, !. ".
Weightman, and Frank Walker as a
board OF arbitrators 10 decide the
proposition. After hearing the eyi.
deDce they rendered a verdict against
the proposition, on the ground that
a census vote taken In the four dis
tricts showed a standing Of ~ for the
proposition and u against. Hence
they argued even, should they lie con.
solidated, IL would he impossible to
vote bonds TO erect a building.
The matter was then dismissed un.
III after the passage OF the CONSOLE
dated Law, by the Forty.seyenth Gen.
eral Assembly. The law provided
that q special election could he held
4 = the purpose OF deciding questions
OF consolidation, also provided state
aid whenever the district complied
with requirements stated. The law
had an emergency clause. Upon re-
ception OF the law the voters residing
In the above named territory circu.
lated q petition asking that a special
election he held for the purpose OF
voting on the question Of consolida.
tion.
After securing forty.two signers,
the petition Was filed with County
Superintendent Rock on the 10Th day
Of April, 1913. In order TO have q
conference, Mr.. Rock called q meet.
Ing 1t the Ross Grove schoolhouse,
Thu rsday evening, May %, 1913,
After taking. evidence OF the
needs and ACCESSIBILITY OF forming
consolidated district, Superin.
tendent Rock plated the dis.
trict, prepared notices and posted
the same on the 2sth Of May,
1913, calling . special meeting for the
purpose OF voting upon consolidating
the plated and described territory,
and II such proposition carried to
fairs OF such district. The results OF
S'S vo'S 10 ioloWo'
against and 48 for. II. T.. Fell, p. W.
Zachary, James Kannish, James Cot.
tier, Fred Wrench, and John Heck
were elected directors. They took
the oath Of office and assumed their
duties, as provided by law, June 80,
1913.
The old board at New Liberty
claimed the proceedings were illegal
and employed w. II. VanVickle to
teach the New Liberty school. On
the first OF September school was to
open. Two teachers were employed,
o. M. watkins, by the consolidated
board, and w. II. VanVickle, by the
old board at New Liberty. Both
teachers were on hands the first day.
Mr.. VanVickle arrived first and got
possession OF the room, and taught
the first day. An Injunction was
served on the old board and Mr.. Van
Vickle the first day, and Mr.. Watkins
assumed duties the second day, and
has continued to teach.
The injunction was finally disposed
OF In favor Of the consolidated direc-
tors and Mr.. Watkins still holds the
fort.
Novt rapna tko 900 ..,...o,ta $50