The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-01-01
EDUCATIONAL.
SCHOOL IDEALS REALIZED

| 'oiiNN NdHH' EdiiN oll recent Sep-
tember morning took passage for this
ride. The train stops at the point only
in case passengers wish to get off or to
board the train. l had previously mott
fled the conductor so the train came to
a stop at the station, and descended
to find myself in the wilds ofa new
country. A box car formed the station,
and this with few clearings which had
been developed into small farms were
all that gave indication of civilization
in the midst of the northern woods. A
quarter of a mile walk down the track
and then further half mile hike along
splendid state road brought me to a
beautiful modern structure which
might well be source of public pride
in any community.
Here in the extreme northern part of
the state one of the most unique and
in many ways the most ideal school sit
uation in Wisconsin is to be found. 4
union high school district was carved
out of this new region in 1917. The
district lies in Ashland county across
the bay from the city of Ashland about
ten miles to the west, Approximately
forty square miles of territory is in
| cluded in the district, representing a
valuation of between three and four
million dollars. Within this union high
school district is a state graded school
district of somewhat smaller extent
These two districts have combined to
erect one hundred thousand, dollar
building which provides accommoda-
tions for both grades and high school
The building is a thoroughly modern
red brick structure of practically fire
proof construction with two stories and
Il well lighted and airy basement In
the building have been installed a COM
plete water system, steam heating
plant with fan ventilation, inside toll
cts, and electric light service. Large
class rooms, commodiouS laboratories,
and fine gymnasium with shower
baths, have been fitted up with the best
modern equipment. A five acre campus
surrounds the building.
Forty-fye high school pupils and
something over one hundred grade pu-
pills are accommodated in this splendid
system. Three teachers are employed
for the high school and tour for the
grades, Salaries range from 1900 for
the principal down to 5000 for the as
sistants and grade teachers. In addi-
ton, home is provided for all the
teachers. The ianitor receives a salary
of 500 per month for twelve months
The problem of providing a suitable
home for these teachers in a rural Situ-
alton has been solved by the erection
of an eighteen thousand dollar teacher
age. This is an attractive and thor
oughly modern home of the same gen
eral construction as the school build
ing 1t furnishes two complete apart
mentS, one for the principal and his
family and one for the other teachers.
The latter employ a housekcepcr and
manage the food problem through a
steward selected from their own mum
ber.
The principal of this school is Mr.
George De Guire, married man, of
wide educational experience. With his
family he occupies the lower apartment
of the teacherage. lie directs the work
of the schools has general supervision
of the teacherage, and maintains a
small farm partly on the school cam
pus and partly on an adjoining faru
He also keeps some poultry, In con
nectiOn with these projects he directs
an agricultural course in the school A
course in domestic science is provided
for the girls. The equipment for both
these special industrial courses com
pares favorably with that in any of the
schools in the state,
The problem of transportation has
also been fully met Last year one hun
dred and forty pupils were transported
daily with practically not day missed.
| Five comfortable heated busses were
purchased at an average cost of $500.
Two Of these were purchased new at
$3.50 each, while the others were Sc
cured second hand from the city of
Ashland The drivers were each paid
from 800 to 800 a month for nine
months. After deductnR the aid re
ceived from the state for transporta-
ton, the average cost Of maintaining
the service was approximately $500 per
wagon orabout SlS per pupil.
II is too early yet since the establish
mcnt of this school system to make any
safe estimates regarding cost. 1t IS
Iprobable that the per capita cost will
run high for few years at least, but
while this may be true the burden to
the taxpayers will be light due to the
high property valuation Of something
over three million represented in the
union high school district. However
this may be, it must be admitted thai
the pupils of this region are entitled tf
just as good school privileges as in any
other part of the state On this theory
the most liberal aid has been offered i,
the state to schools of this type. II i
tberefnre tuost enpnurapinu IN find