The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-01-14
TABOO THE DANCE PLEAS
SCHOOL BOARD TURN DOWN
THE PIT PETITION
Proposed That New Junior High
Be Built On Van Brunt
Slough

Members of the board Of education
have new idea as to the location OF
the proposed new junior high school,
which it was first proposed to erect
on the site Of the present Lincoln
school. At last nights meeting of
the board it was suggested that plen-
ty OF ground could be secured for the
site Of the proposed new building on
the Van Brunt slough near Pleasant
street. This land could be filed in
by the use of suction pumps worked
from the river where an abundance Of
sand. could be secured. Soundings
have been made on the slough at that
point and it has been found that the
slough has bottom OF solid blue
clay with q top soil Of about three
feet. This suggestion was made by
Director Engwalson and 1t met with
the approval Of the other board men,
bers. The plan as proposed would be
10 purchase from the city 600 square
feet and combine both the Roosevelt
Lincoln schools into one junior high
school. 1t was thought that by the
sale of the Lincoln and Roosevelt
grounds the board would realize about
100000, which would go long way
toward erecting the proposed COM
bined school. There would also be a
great saving in the operating Of one
building as compared with the oper:.
alton of two. The, proposed site Of
is in the geographic center of the
southern part of the city. The prices
asked for the property near the pres
ent Lincoln school are what might be
termed prohibitive. 1t was thought
that there would be a great saving in
locating the school as suggested. An
adjourned meeting Of the board will
be held Monday evening at 1880 for
the setting of the adte for holding a
bond election to float bonds for the
new building, and the fur
ther consideration of the purchase Of
land in the Van Brunt slough.
Dance Or Not to Dance.
"To dance or not to dance, that was
the question" before the school board
last night. Whether it was nobler
in mind to dance amid the sings and
arrows of an outrageous school
chaperon. or to take arms against a
sea of troubles" and the boys and
girls" by opposing them go to the
question before the board last night.
This all grew out of the fact that. at
q recent parent and teachers meeting
held at the high school It was voted
to permit of 2 social hour at intervals
throughout the week from 4 p. m. to 6
q. m. at which time the students
might indulge in dancing.
Director Jefferson said that he ID
not object to dances at intervals
the year, but he did not
believe in making dancing academy
cut of the high school," He said that
public opinion is against it. Director
Hughes thought that the meeting had
heen rather one sided in favor of
dancing. Director Beach thought that
things haS come to pretty pass"
hen0dancsng is advocated in the
schools svhen some people have re-
ligious scruples against the pastime.
of excluding the Bible from the
schools and advocating dancing. Dir
ectors Willard and Engwalson saw no
harm in dancing if twas properly
~verseen by some of the teachers OF
the school. superintendent Selle said
that dancing properly governed woald
have a \tendency to induce students
to attend school functions more regu-
'arly. Director Willard did not name
over the new Objectionable dances,
hut he did advocate the reverting back
II the old fashioned Square dance"
The result OF the discussion was that
the request of the parent and teach
er's association to allow social hour
1T intervals throughout the week aft
er school in which dancing could be
INDUCED in was laid on the table. The
rules of the school board does per
nit dances in the high school at in
tervals during the school year.
Those Safety Appliances.
A communication was received from
George Fl. Nettleton, state fire mar
rha!, calling attention TO certain an
nliances Of safety which should be
looked after in several Of the school
>riitings o. the city. These matters
will be looked after by the property
and expense committee.
A contract was entered into bv the
board with George Pass, Jr., to make
nlars and sneciflcations for the Yro-
posed combined grade and junior high
school.
Gathering Religious Data.
Director Hughes said that the gath
ering OF data on the question OF re-
ligious instructions in the schools
after school hours. is being looked up
nv the school committee with the aid
nf the Ministerial association.
Superintendent Selle stated that the
r,ia-vear graduation exercises at the
high school will be hold on January
-. when thirteen students will re-
Give dinlOmas.
The Zetetic club was granted per-
~'or Nv the board last night for
he use Of the Union school auditor
~ rn- the afternoon Of March 2,
when Mrs. r. G.. Winters Of st. Paul.
r~asident Of the federated womans
"''hs of Minnesota will address the
club.
Mics Ruth Underwood, a teacher Of
considerable eynerisnce was hi-ad 'ae'
night tn succeed Miss Grace Moonan
as teacher Of En- Plish In the high
school. Miss Underwood's salary
was nIaced at Shopper month.
The Preliminary Registration.
SUPERINTENDENT Selle stated that in
a preliminary registration Of the high
school since the HOLIDAYS II was found
liz tho raI,rnh n,. Of .ct1Idants had In