The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1921-07-08


success.
The school year has been a success
full one. When school opened last
September, it became evident at
once that a large increase in the
number of pupils confronted US. 387
pupils reported for attendance in the
high school alone. This room was
crowded to its capacity. This build
ing which seemed to some un-
necessarily large when it was built,
is already filled to overlooking. Mr..
Holt informs us that when school
again opens the Junior High School
pupils, or at least the seventh grade
must be housed in the building across
the street. Fortunately we have one
vacant room there which can be
used for this purpose, and it will be
unnecessary to talk new building ac-
commodations in these times of
high costs. This unprecedented
growth of attendance was matter
which could not possibly be foreseen
by the school board. Communities
may plan literally, and when they
finally decide upon the limits of prob
able needs, along comes procession
of facts which prove that our fore
sight is limited at best. Edgerton is
not along in outgrowing her institu-
lions. 1t is condition which con-
fronts all communities large and
small every little while, and | am
sure that you, my friends will well
come so sturdy and healthy a growth
in our fair city that when the time
comes when some future school
board shall report to you the need of
new or enlarged school buildings,
that you will respond as generously
and as wisely as you have done in
that part of the history of these
schools, in which | have known them.
This large attendance has brought
with it financial OUTLAWS which no
one could foresee, at the time of
making the last budget. We should
have had two more teachers at the
least estimate the past year, but dis
regarding the practical mandates of
state school inspectors, and the great
inconvenience. of our corps of teach
ers, and because of financial neces-
sity important class room results,
we were able to get by with one adj
ditional teacher. This caused crowd
ing of classes, and even class rooms,
and forced upon some of our teach
ers burdens they ought not to be
compelled to teach under. But we
asked Of you money to do those
things that we foresaw had to be
done, and the unforeseen demands
had to be pinched. Under this strain
the teachers went about their work
cheerfully, and bore their burdens
with rare patience and devotion.
Probably the Commercial department
was the greatest sufferer, and es-
pecial thanks is due Miss Alice Moon
ey of that. department for the admir-
able manner in which she conducted
her crowded classes The other teach
ers too worked cheerfully, knowing
that the Board had responded as
literally as our ability would permit.
The complaint came most loudly
from the State inspectors, who in
sist that four additional teachers be
employed for the coming school year.
This is mandatory upon us unless we
are. willing to sacrifice our standing
as school, and possibly lose our
state funds.
You have repeatedly and wisely
favored the use of this building as a
community center. The board is in
full accord with your desires in this
matter. Yet ito carry out the idea en-
tails some cost. Not much, but enough
to enter into consideration in making
up a school budget. In fact every
duty added to the schools requires q
little expenditure, and these little
amounts total up more than one
would believe. But much good has
been gained for the public by the use
of this building in the evening. Fo1
example upwards of 120 boys have
been accommodated in hour groups
during every week of the school year
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