The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-02-13
Supt. e. S. Selle Reelected
,fa
Head of Schools
BONUS GIVEN TEACHERS
Board of Education Held Meet
ing Last Night; Matters
s.2z Considered

z. 8. Selle was reelected superin-
tendent of the public schools in Man
kato at the monthly meeting of the
board of education last evening. The
election took place in an executive
session OF the board following the
completion OF the regular routine
business which came up for consid-
Grafton. The board was inclosed SEES
sion but a short time when they sum-
moned Mr.. Selle and informed him
that he had been reelected for the
coming year with salary increase
of $500. Mr.. Seize last year received
$4,000 and this year it was increased
to s3.3oe, Mr.. Selle expressed his
appreciation to the board for his re-
election and salary increase. An
other important action taken by the
board during the executive session
was the granting of bonus of 500 to
all members of the teaching force and
to all regular, full time employees OF
the board who remain until the end
OF the present year. This includes
high school and grade teachers and
janitors of the various buildings.
Those who have been employed but
part Of the year by the board are to
receive the bonusin proportion to the
number of months they have been
employed.
BE- Will Total $1,000.
In round numbers this bonus. for
teachers and janitors, will total about
$4,000. The board took this action
with the understanding it was not to
establish a precedent and was not to
be taken into consideration in the fix
ing Of salaries for another year. The
bonus was granted this year because
Of the nigh cost of living, board men,
beers stated. .
II. T. Studness, janitor of the Union
school building, was the center of
considerable discussion by the board,
when a communication from him was
read to the effect that he understood
his resignation had been presented to
the board and claiming he had au-
thorized no one to take this step. He
said that he asked $50 q month for
his services and declared that he
could not work sixteen or eighteen
hours day for less.
Several members of the board de.
clared that Mr. Studness had told
them he intended to resign his posi-
: ton. General WideIl remarked it
would take a good man to fill the po-
sitiOn- as there was a great deal Of
mechanical equipment to handle in
the new building. The matter brought
forth discussion of the whole situa-
ton in the schools with regard to
janitors. Certain board members
were of the opinion that younger
man should be employed at the Union
building, one who would become
familiar with the mechanical equip
ment and year by year grow more
valuable to the board in this service.
You have a man there now who
has seen all the equipment installed
and is familiar with all of it." said
Senator Widell. Director Palmer
agreed with the views OF Mr.. Widell
~ Judge Hughes moved that Director
Engwaldson be authorized to employ a
successor to Mr.. Studness when he
leaves. There was no second to the
motion. The question was disposed
of on motion of Mr.. Willard to leave
the question of janitors to the prop
erty and expense committee.
G. M. Masters addressed COM
munication to the board asking that
an estimate for the greater part of
his contract with the board be allow
ed in view of the fact that practically
all the contract save the sheet metal
work was completed. He said that
the Illness OF two men for nine days
had prevented the completion of this
work.
General Widell of the building COM
naittee reported that Mr. Masters
statement was corrected and recon-
mended that the board allow him an
estimate of $4,000 This leaves $2,15G
unpaid, The recommendation of Gen
eral Widell was approved by the
board.
Will Attend Convention.
On motion of Mrs. B. d. Smith the
board voted to send Superintendent e.
s. Selle to the national educational con
vention at Cleveland, Ohio, February
26. to %. w D. Willard mentioned the
fact that convention of school
boards of the state would take place
In st. Paul in March at which time
the question of salaries would come
up. Mrs. Smith was elected by the
board to attend this convention.
Secretary Soaring reported that
James Clark, employed as an assist
ant JdultOf at the Union Scn0Ol since
December /, had not yet been paid
The matter Of Mr.. Clark's salary
aroused another lively discussion over
/ the janitor problem and was finally
fixed at $65 a month for period OF
four months.
g Chairman Willard of the finance
committee reported that objection
was raised by insurance agents to
carrying but $4,000 tornado insur-
ance on the Union school building
The matter viii be investigated
further. $3.50.
General Widen brought up the mat
ter Of exit lights for the gymnasium
and corridors of the Union school
building He said the lights would
have to be in a box or wicker protec-
tion of some kind to prevent them
from being broken. General Widel
suggested an ornamental wooden box
to cover the lights with the word
EXIT" cut out. On motion of Director
Engwaldson this matter was left to
the building committee with power
to act.
For Formal Opening.
Judge Hughes brought up the mat
.