The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-03-17
MCCONNELL SPOKE
BEFORE KIWANIANS
STATE EDUCATOR TALKED
TO THAT BODY
Official Gave Concise And Under.
standable Explanation Of Du,
ties Of His Department; Aid
Extended To Schools OF Min
hesota; Building Up Of Educa,
tional Institutions.

J. NJ. Mcconnell. state commits
sioner Of education. spoke briefly 10
the kiwanls club o. tins city today at
the regular weekly luncheon, outIin
LIg the Minnesota educational system
from a business standpoint. The
speaker, VINO has a thorough know
leage OF ali matters pertaining 20
schools of this state, their manage
nenL, financing and operation, gave
q comprehensive outline OF all mat.
ters Pertaining 70 the business man
asement OF the Minnesota education
~ system.
Inc speaker stated that his de-
parImenI mad in the last year spent
some S1,UCO,eUJ in aidlng local
luat amount which was less than
SIVU, OUU. he stated that there are yet
thousands OF laymen in this state
who use all modern convenlences as
matter or course. who regard the
school system as the little red
scnoolhouse on the hill' and fail 10
see any necessity TOR expansion OF
school facilities.
Capitalize chil6ren's Ability
1t Is the purpose OF the public
schools to capitalize the ability 81
CnIIdren for the good OF the coming
generations, said Mr.. Mcconnell ana
lor the development OF leaders who
Will bear the burdens OF public life
IN later years. He stated that the
worIos progress has been tne result
OF the prophetic outlook or men and
that such an outlook is the motive
behind the advanced educational ia
Ciiities oil this day. Unity is an
other object in public education and
this end is attained through over
coming race prejudices. class differ
ences and many others which are
most effectively combated through
the public schools.
Public education is a state func
tion," said the speaker and he con-
tened that opportunities for educa-
ton must be kept equal as they nov
are.
Inherited Public Lands
The state OF Minnesota inherited
thousands of acres OF public lands
flom the federal government AND
through the wise administration OF
the funds realized from these lands
the state OF Minnesota has q state
permanent school fund that now
amounts to $33,000,00O. No principa!
from the sale OF these lands has been
spent. the outgoing funds coming
wholly from the income OF the mon
eys realized from the sale or the
land. The state has an income OF a
million and a quarter from this fund
and a half million more than that
from the state tax OF one mill.
Minnesota schools are kept stan
dardiZeG through the administration
Oh state aid funds which are paid
only to schools and districts where
the schools meet the standards set
by the state board. An aggregate
sum of more than three and a half
millions is spent in this way on
grade and high schools. The state
board pays tuition OF seven dollars
per month to high schools for each
student attending but residing in a
district where there is no high school.
The bill in the legislature which Sc
cured that relief for high schools was
the result of the efforts of General
Gustaf Widell of this city while he
was a member of the state senate In
the last session.
A Minnesota high school diploma
is accepted as a standard wherever
il may be presented on account OF
the close supervision of the state
board, said Mr.. Mcconnell.
He explained that where the main =
tenance tax exceeds twenty mills In
any school district the state comes
to he relief of the unit and shoulders
one third of the cost. For special
course the state also aids high
schools. For example where agri-
culture is taught the state allows the
school $1,000 per year; for domestic
science, $500, and the same amount
for Industrial training and CONNER
cial work.
Teachers For Children
II was explaieed that the purpose oil
maintaining teachers colleges is not
10 furnish occupations for prospec-
i've teachers but for the purpose OF