The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-04-21

Inc nigh school people taken to the
Lincoln building, a principal in ad-
dition TO the principal of the high
school was employed al a salary Oh
$4,000. He stated hat it was only
a matter OF time before the new
principal of the Junior high school
would need and demand an Office
and a stenographer an then there
woul be just double the office ex-
pense Of this time with $50 fewer
pupils.
Z. S. Selle stated that in defense
of the present system he would say
mat there was a time when the
teacher turnover was among the
better teachers in Mankato schools
but that at this time he finds that
the turnover is at the other end oil
the scale. He said that there were
some who had left on account OF
dissatisfaction with the system but
that in many cases either they OF
their relatives wanted to come here
again. AS for cutting OF the grads
supervisor, the superintendent. SAID
that he would rather e cut Oh
almost any other person than &c
vacate that office. He stated tina,
the work vas of the most necessary
character. He also seriously op'
pOSSu clluuQLSuluS me SSTNlCcS U
the grade music supervisor.
After some sparring, General Wi.
del complained that the converse,
ton taking place was committee
work and that he had only meant
TO give an idea of what the public
is demanding. Adolph Mueller in
terrupted, but the general again re-
ferred him to public opinion or
taxes and stated that it is the duty
of the board to heed the cry of the
: taxpayers. Mr.. Willard agreed i
it were possible to do it without
impaiing the efficiency of thu
schools.
Here Mr.. Willard took the FOO
and stated that it has only been re.
Gently that Mankato has stood a
the front among school cities o.
the state and that to take a steI
backward would be a mistake. He
stated that he had heard no objec'
lions on taxes, rating system, o.
anything else pertaining to the
schools from the public and won,
dered at that since he was actively
connected with making the bulge
last year. He stated that there wa!
added ten mills this year to NEE
an unusual condition. He defended
the supervisors and said that before
We 0dQ SuCu du OutCSI III III
schools the schools were not a!
high grade as they are today. Herr
Mr.. EngwalSon broke in with ;
statement that fifteen years ago
state school officer came here u
tell Mankato folk that the schools
here were of the best in the state
and that there had been nc super
visor here either. Some little time
was given to getting Over thi:
point and then the rate system
came up again.
They Start Over Again
Again Mr.. Willard said that hi
had heard nothing but commenda'
ton for the rating system and tina
far as he knows. Stated that il
Minneapolis they are now deyisins
some system for making such
test. Here Judge Hughes inter
: rupted to ask if a &c" teaches
climbed this year to "a" or vice
versa and added that it all depend
ed upon the superintendent o
schools and that a change in tina
office would see a change in tht
names of the high rated teachers
Mr.. Hughes stated that those who
were satisfied with their rating.
old not come to anyone to complain
and that was why, probably, tina
he had not heard of those who art
in favor. Judge Hughes mentioned
one we'll known difference Of opin
ion in the local schools but was in
terrupted vehemently by MI. Will,
lard and Mr.. Mueller but he con
tinued speaking after the inciden'
died own
Mr.. Willard had stated that tn,
system kept the teachers On thei
toes but the judge argued tina
rather than on their toes it made
.'toadies" and the "toadies" are tn,
ones who take the high marks
Superintendent Selle denied the al,
legation and said that there wa!
and that there we're always TIVE
separate ratings to compare befor,
any grade is given a teacher.
At a question from Judge Hughe:
the superintendent named six Min,
nesota cities hat now have a rat,
ing system and the judge mad,
capital of the fact that there wer
but six out of 247 high schools il
the state.
Adolph Mueller said then that h,
was in favor of economiZing wher
ever possible without tearing dow
the organization, but said that tn
SOUUU ldppIOAlIudICD saving oO Ia
proposed would not make any par
ticular difference to any single tax
payer. Mr.. Engwalson said that
the reduction would amount to onl!
n mill it is a step in the direction
the public wants and should b.
taken.
Mr.. Engwalson, again coming
back to the rating system, urget
that in the interests of all concern
ed the system be dropped. HI
stated that it was apparent that tn,
board is divided, it is probable tina
the public is divided and it Ii
known that there is difference o
/. opinion among the teachers them
selves. He urged that something
be done to get some harmony o
action and purpose.
Rev. Ralph A. Jensen, who hat
taken no part in the discussion III
to this time. took the stand tina
good teachers won't resent the sys
tenn and poor mes will resent II
ne said that the sysem looks sount
hut that personalities here hav'
caused some difficulty. Here Judg,
Hughes and Rev. Jensen spared 70
q time on the subject of favorite.
of the grading officers.
Still Wants Economy
General Widell brought the meet
ing back to the subject of econom!
again and said that in spite of al
the talk that had gone on he wa
out to save the public some schoo
money some how and suggested
that in view Of the fact that super
vised summer play grounds las