The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-02-12
Superintendent Retained For
another Year al the
Same Salary
From Thursdays Oaiis

Frederick J. Sperry, superintendent
OF schools, was unanimously reelect-
ed nj the meeting of the school
hoard last evening. AL the board
members were present with the ex.
ception OF Erick Engwalson.
Mr.. Sperry's salary was fixed at
the same figure as a year ago, 81
200. There was some discussion
about this. some OF the board mem.
bers thinking his salary ought to be
raised. but others pointing out that
there was raise a year ago. and
that the general fund in the hands
of the school board was running be.
hind
Mr.. Sperry was not present while
this portion Of the business of the
evening was going on. A committee
was sent to inform him Of what
had been done and he received an
explanation why his salary had not
heen raised. Mr.. Sperry thanked the
hoard for tho honor of the re.
election and said he appreciated
tho circumstances under which the
hoard was lnDorlne.
Students to Crate.
Tho board last evening decided to-
go back 10 the old plan OF having
tho students deliver orations on
graduation day. instead of having
some noted speaker come and give
an address. Tho board took the stand
that Ia this way the public gained
some idea OF what had been accomp.
lished In tho way Of educating the
children. Only one board member
took the opposite view. and that was
Mrs. u. ID. Smith. who considered il
TOO much OF n hardship tn impose
on the pupils. when they were re
Qulred TO write essays and get ready
10 deliver them. in addition to the
regular school work that they had to
perform
Mr.. Sperry announced that il was
the intention To hold another open
house reception for tho parents Of
pupils and for others who were
Interested in the work that was being
done. al the high school. just as was
done last year lie said tho open
house reception last year was a
great success and was largely at.
tended. At his suggestion the board
appropriated SIS TO cover the ex-
pense.
In Re Bible Reading.
W. ID. Willard reported that he
had recently had a conference with
State Superintendent of Schools
Schultz in regard TO the reading OF
the Bible in the Mankato high
school. lie said the superintendent
thought the whole state high school
board would be perfectly willing To
have the question threshed ont in
court without depriying Mankato of
any of its state aid, IL this could be
done. lie thought the best way TO
handle the matter would he 10 ap-
point n special committee to con.
for with the state high school board
in regard In the matter. That board
would hold it's next regular meeting
in April.
President W. -. Davies expressed
the opinion that the wisest course
would be to cut out the reading
OF the Bible in the schools. lie did
not see where II did any particular
good, and by fighting the case. the
district was liable TO lose the state
aid for whole year
Mr.. Willard expressed the opinion
that IL was doubtful whether there
was much to be gained in reading
the Bible in the high school once a
week. More could be accomplished
by looking out 10 see that good
Christian teachers were hired
Has Been the Custom.
Judge Evan Hughes remarked that
IL had been the custom in this state
from the time when il was establish
cd to read the Bible in the public
schools lie did not think the state
high school hoard was warranted in
ruling that this was sectarian reli.
gious teaching. In throe-fourths OF
the states the supreme courts had
ruled that reading the Bible in the
schools was not sectarian teaching.
The state high school board should
he asked to modify it's ruling.
On motion by Mrs. ID. ID. Smith.
the board instructed the president TO
appoint a committee of three TO con.
fer on this matter with .he state
high school board. Mr.. Davies ap-
pointed Mr.. Willard. Judge Hughes
and l.. T. Jefferson.
Had Heard Complaints.
DIR. Beach stated that some peo-
pie had been complaining to him
about the way in which the visiting
nurse had been carrying on her work
Of examining schildren in the public
schools. He bad been told that one
child had been forcibly held by some
person, while the nurse sprayed his
throat with something. lie had also
been told that the nurse in examin.
ing threats of children successfully
merely wiped the instrument Off with
n piece of cotton. One man had told
him that he would not have his child
submit TO that. lie would fight a big
law suit first.
Mr. SDerry said thpee rennrfs