Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1922-05-11

member OF the Board OF Education
of Wausau. President of the State
Association of School Board Members
in 192111922.
no provision had been made for more
school room and we again reverted
to the old system of renting stores
and other buildings whatever was
available-for school rooms. These
makeshifts We're necessary because we
had to give the children something
in the line of education but let us
sincerely hope that we have enough
enlightenment and foresight now so
as not to be forced to adopt former
conditions.
School Enlargement
"In 1903 eight rooms were added to
the Lincoln building and few years
later eight rooms were added to the
Franklin school which seemed to some
members of the board too large an adj
dition. Then in 1910 when we pro-
posed the fourteen room Grant build
ing, finally adopted, it was contended
that eight rooms would be plenty for
many years to come but the wisdom
of a majority of the board has proved
correct because the building is near
ly filled now. A few years ago we
built the first unit of the Central
building. This project was under adj
visement by the board for several
years, a number of different projects
were proposed and studied and the
Central school was the final conclu-
sion after much deliberation.
THE first unit was built during the
war and under very adverse condi-
lions but the necessity for additional
school room was SO great that delay
was impossible. 1t was foreseen by
the board that at the time that this
was only to bridge over conditions
and that the building would have to
be completed in the near future to re-
lieve the congestion in the high school
and the vocational school, both of
which have grown far beyond expecta-
ton.
Refutes Assertions
1T has been said that we live in an
epoch of educational Madness that
education breeds laziness,' etc. These
assertions are unwarranted and con-
trary to facts. They are made thought
lessly or by some disgruntled person.
What we do need is more and better
education.
No democracy will long survive UNI
less there is continuous effort to en-
tighten the people. The discontinued
and disturbing elements are almost
invariably found among the ignor-
ant and they are easily melted to riot
and violence by the demagogue who
prospers on their ignorance. Educa-
ton does not necessarily mean book
learning alone. 1t means the system
attic development and cultivation of
our natural faculties and should there
fore be varied. Most of the people
have to earn their living with their
hands and it was for this reason that
vocational training was started in the
schools
"A girl who takes course in do
nestle science learns to cook and to
make her own dresses. She is i'm much
better shape to start a home than the
girl who knows nothing about house
keeping. Many home has been brok-
en- on account of the wife's inability
tC cook meal.
"Give Him Chance
MANY boy goes into the factory.
is placed at certain machine and
stays there all his life because he
can do nothing else and 1t is too ex-
pensive for the manufacturer to teach
him something else. AS a consequence
his life is a burden and he is easily
influenced by the walking delegate.
Take this same boy, give him chance
in the machine shop at school. He
will learn about different machines;
his advancement in the shop will be
fast: he will lead happier life and
make better citizen.
"The boy and girl who are the least
able to help themselves in the struggle
for existence should be our greatest
care whether they require academic or
vocational training. both of which
should be fostered to the fullest ex-
tent We cannot expend much money
for good education because better and
higher education tends TO elevate cit |
izenship and to create happiness. Az
ter all these are the objects to be ac-
complished"