The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-12-10
BETTER SCHOOL BUILDING

IContinued From Page One.1
their bicycles to school. They have
no place to store them except along
the sides of the building.
Here the speaker dwelt at some
length on the crowded condition OF
the present high school, and the lack
of proper lighting in some OF the
rooms. He suggested that proper
survey of the situation should be
made, and il possible more windows
installed. In speaking of the over
crowded condition of the cloak rooms,
Mr. Pickett said that the conditions
might be termed a hanging out OF
temptation to the boys and girls TO
steal"
Address BY Mr.. Seile.
Superintendent Selle spoke Of the
schools in general. In opening his
remarks Superintendent Selle called
attention to the vast sums expended
by Americans for luxuries in the way
of tobacco and soft drinks. When one
takes into confederation the vast sums
spent on education, he should consid-
or the great number Of children bene-
fitted. Speaking of the growth OF
the schools, the speaker said that the
high school had eighty three pupils in
1890 in the upper six grades. Ten
years later this number had increas-
ed to 408 and in 1919 502 and the
school census taken last fall 1t was
found that there are 878 pupils, which
shows a steady increase in the atten-
dance at the high school, which
amounts to about seventy Ave per
cent from 1910 to 1920. In the lower
grades there was little decrease in
the Franklin school, while in the 9TH
er grade schools there was an in
crease, especially in the Union school,
where the increase was about four
teen per cent, and the increase OF all
grade schools can be placed at about
thirty per cent. In the upper Six
grades the increase can be placed at
S.4 per cent. Going into the history
Of the school buildings Superintendent
Eelle stated that the old Union school
was erected In 1859 and replaced df-
ty years later by tbs present modern
building. The old Lfncoln, or Pleas
ant Grove school, was erected in 1871
and an addition was made to the
same in 1895. The present Franklin
school was erected in 1884 and the
Roosevelt school about the sams time.
The present high school was erected
in 1891 and in 1911 the present new
addition was made to the building.
The upkeep of the buildings has been
very good, and the board of educa-
ton should be commended for this.
Like Professor Pickett, Superinten-
dent Selle called attention to poor
lighting in a great many of the rooms.
The ventilation of, some Of the build
ings he stated could be bettered. The
sanitary conditions are as good as
can be expected under the present
conditions. Safety of the schools Is
being looked after, but hre hazards
should be looked after. All grade
schools are crowded with the excep-
ton of the Franklin school. Superin-
tendent Selle brought his talk to a
close by stating the plan OF building
adopted by the board Of education at
It's last meeting as the only means
of solution for the school problem In
this city.
Holding Regular Fire Drills.
At this point in the meeting Mr..
Butler called for suggestions and dis
cussion by the audience. Theodore
Williams wanted to know il fire drills
are being held in the schools. Super
intendent Selle said that they are be-
ing held regularly.
Suggestion BY r. M. currier.
F. M. Currier said that he thought
that the main object Of education
should be the teaching of the boys
and girls how to live, and how to
make living. Some times he thought
that education was remiss in this.
Personally he favored the plan adopt
ed by the board of education, but
whether the buildings should be erect
ed next year with the high cost OF
material prevailing was a question;
1t might be advisable to wait until
1921, when 1t is hoped that things Will
be In a more settled condition.
DR.. A. r. Schmitt said that he is
vitality interested in education, be-
cause he has children Of his own at
tending school, He said that while 1t
Is true that the taxes are high, and
the dollar is at a low ebb, we have
money for other things. The speaker
scored the fact that people are
souandering their money at the movies
and bowling against the expenditure
of money for the education and ad-'
yancement of their children. Dr..
Schmitt said that the board of edu-
cation should be congratulated for It's
stand looking toward more and better
school buildings. That If the needs
of Mankato in the share OF better ed
1dCnltICS al . PoS bSAOAO sAAO
voters in the right way. he had no
doubt the bond issue for the raising
of funds for the proposed buildings
will carry. 1t should have the uniform
support of the people. Mankato should
not take a second place to any city In
the state In the matter of good school
buildings, and facilities for the ad-
vancement of the youth. DR.. Schmitt
said that 1t is Impossible to develop
the future citizens to the high plane
the future WIN require in their life
work, without the proper environ.
ment. Some OF the education should
be commenced at home, and not all
left to the schools. Girls should be
Taught by their mothers to do ordin
airy house work. The great foult of
he present day, the speaker said, Is
that mother is too busy with card
parties to teach her daughters the
ordinary rudiments of household
duties.
School Director NJ. D. willard said