The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-04-09
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PROBLEM FOR
SCHOOL BOARD
Seriousness of Over-Crowded
Conditions in Bemidji Out .
lined by Supt. Bolcom. $50
USE OF COTTAGE PLAN, :,
HERE rs SUGGESTED
Two Departments Must Have
New Quarters - Improve
ment. of Grounds.

Bemidii's board of education faces
momentous problem in the matter
of providing sufficient accommodations
for the boys and girls attending its
schools, and at Monday evenings
meeting of the board the Importance
of immediate action was made known
by w. G. Bolcom, superintendent OF
schools. It was made evident dur
ing a review Of the matter that. i'm
mediate action is required to relieve
the congested situation, and that the
establishment of a new high school
within the next few years is matter
Of absolute necessity.
COMMITTEES were designated to in
vestigate the recommendation of the
superintendent, which are:
'tpThat plan be considered for re-
lieving the congestion in the high
school building. It seems that this
can best be brought about at this
time by plans looking to the removal
of the domestic science and possibly
the agricultural department, from
the building. Could this be done by
the introduction of the cottage plan
for the domestic science department
it would alleviate serious crowded
conditions in this building for the
present. I wish to make the point
! that It is absplutely imperative that
% something be done. cft
THAT at the close, of school any
extra rooms in the Central ouidlng
that can be put in shape for: class
r,1,a No rrix 4
attention. ToAwork out our plans
vi for. semester promotions IN the
= grades it would be extremely desir-
able so to arrange the space In the
Central building that in addition: 70
relieving the congestion there, the
fifth and sixth grades at north could
also be accommodated.
''That some attention be given the
matter of buildings at the school
farm. Allow me to. say, that With the
exception of the chicken COOP all OF
the buildings, there are in disreput-
able shape and totally beyond re-
spectacle repair. | am Of the opinion
that as a district here we should give
very serious consideration to the
matter of the school farm and plan
to enlarge this enterprise materially.
Beautifv Grounds.
"That we again take up this year
the matter Of Improving our school
grounds. To this end, believe at
tention should be given to the Gen.
trail grounds. There. are many va
cant spaces here that: small trees
should be planted lin, and this prac-
tice should Be continued year after
year until the present Box Elder
type of tree is displaced by a harder
type, such as the Hard Maple or Elm
tree, both of much slower growth.
We should consider, Of course, that
we are planning for twenty-five
years hence in this connection, and
not for the immediate present. The
Lincoln school, groudS should be
taken care of and plans laid to take
time by the fore-lock, The high
school grounds should have further
attention, particularly along the
liner Of making provision to keep
trespassers off in certain places.
''That some consideration be given
to the matter of an ungraded or SUBJ
normal room for the school system.
AsThis will appeal to you as Of prime
Importance when it is called to your
attention that our school nurse al
ready has a list Of at least twenty
children in the school system whose
mentality is somewhat or consider
ably below normal"
Bids Are Rejected.
Three bids for the purchase Of the
dwelling owned by the school dis
trict and which stands on the prop
erty of the Lincoln school were pre-
sented to the board. all being reject
ed. ]. Leroy Elwell offered to pay
500 for the structure, Carl Schen-
castle would give s525 and A. P.
Richie offered $500. The board
seemed to be unanimous in the
opinion that if possible the residence
should be moved to the school farm
where it is much needed.
Superintendent Bolcom told Of the
need of at least two more teachers
one for the high school and another
for the department. and mentione ed
that if his recommendations are
carried out. proper facilities for the
commercial department, now over
crowded, will be provided.
The resignation of Christ NJ
Johnson. janitor of the Lincolr
school was accepted.
A committee to comprise DR., E. Fl
Smith. president of the board. 4. K
Roe. secretary. and Superintendent
-assolcor, was named to meet with {
committee of the Women's Commun
ity and Civic club and representa-
tives of the Park board at the Com
mercial club rooms Thursday even
ing