The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-03-09
BOARD IS TO GIVE
BILLS Once OVER
Domestic Science Bureau
Must Bring In Cash
START SALES PLAN
Directors Had Heart To- Heart
Talk Over Finances
Last Night

Economy In the operation of city
schools was the slogan adopted at
last nights meeting of the board of
education. Owing to a deficit OF $14.-
900 in school aid from the state in
the Mankato district, a number Of
measures were suggested at last
nights meeting for the cutting
down of running texpenses of the
city schools. Among these was the
school for the generation Of its own
electricity for the lighting of the
building Another suggestion for the
curtailing Of expenses was a sug
gestion to cut down two years OF
Latin and to drop French in the
schools altogether. Sale of the pro-
ducts of the domestic science de-
partment to at least meet the ex
penses of material used in cooking
was still another economic measure
suggested
Director Gustaf Widell. chairman
of the finance committee, said that
owing to a shortage of $4,000 in
state aid due TO lack of the legisla-
ture to making the proper school ap-
preparations, il will be necessary to
practice the strictest economy this
year in the expenditures Tor the sew.
eral schools OF the city. Every pur-
chase will have to be carefully con
sidered before 1t Is made. The dis
trict now has borrowed about ST.
900. Owing TO this everything that
is not absolutely necessary will
have to be cut out this year. The prop
erty In Mankato cannot stand an
other cent in the way of taxation.
the speaker said. With this object IN
view, Director Widell's motion TO
make no purchases for the schools
without due consideration b. the
proper school board committees was
carried
Shortage Of Appropriation
J COUtinuineL : ireeior ~ ideil ssafa
that he had taken up the matter OF
state aid TO the Mankato district
with Commissioner of Education ].
NJ. Mcconnell. The present shortage
in school appropriations in the state
now aggregates about S1,376.0t0.
Director Widell said that he urged
Commissioner Mcconnell to use his
best efforts to see If he, could not In
duce legislators TO meet the deficit
in school funds. Mr.. Widell pre-
scented letter which he had receiv
ed from Mr.. Mcconnell to the board
In this letter the commissioner OF
education said that members of the
luctant to make any large appropria
tions. Mr.. Mcconnell also stated
that the best solution of the matter
at the present time Is for each. dis
trict in the state to urge the matter
of increased appropriations on their
legislators.
It was finally decided to have
Secretary L. +. Soaring write to both
Senator w. A. Just and Representa-
tive Veigel urging them to have the
$4,000 deficit made up.
A protest will also be filed with
the legislators In this section of the
state against the passage of a bill
which seeks to cut down the appro-
priations for teaching agriculture
from $1,000 to $500 and the appro-
priation of aid to the teaching Of
domestic science from $500 to $500
year; also the cutting down of
tuition for students outside their
own districts. On motion of Director
boards. Secretary Soaring was in
structed to write to the legislators
from the Mankato district protesting
to the proposed cuts.
Letter Of Protest
Director Hughes said that he
heard that there was a movement
now on foot in the state legislature
" w away Will the Cnuu welfare
boards. eScretary Soaring was in
structed to write Senator Just and
Representative Veigel protesting
against the passage of what Is
known as Senate File No. 67S, which
seeks to drop child welfare boards.
Referring back to Director Widell's
plea for economy, Superintendent
E. s. Selle and Director Frank JEFF
ferson while agreeing with him In
general way, thought that it was not
necessary for to refer small pu--
chases, such as flour, sugar, ETC., for
the domestic science department to
the members of the board. Mr.. Wi
dell still chung to his idea that en-
tirely too much is being spent, that
the board does not know anything
about the purchases until the bills
are presented at the school board
meetings. He believed In carrying
out the same principles in the pur-
chases for the needs of the schools
as is practiced In other big con-
Germs.
Would Sell Cooking
Director Hughes said that he
thought some revenue could be OBJ
tanned from the sale of cooking and
baking in the domestic science de-
partment. This revente would help
to defray the expenses of that de-
partment. He believed that the girls
should be taught to cook dinners
for large gatherings such as are
held about town frequently instead
of spending their entire time in
making It'd bits. There are q
great many lodges and societies
which would be glad to purchase the
baking and cooking from the depart
ment. Director Ralph Jensen said
that at Albert Lea the sale OF cook
ing and baking had netted the de-
partment a neat sum.
Mrs. Charles Northrup said that
the great trouble with the domestic
science department is that girls pre-
teachera instead Of conka Ms