The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-10-10
SYNOPSIS Of EARLY HISTORY Of SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. If

architect j. j. Cullen of Superior was given the con-
tract for the new building his bid OF $6,79O.OO.
During this year also school opened at Robinson
Lake with Miss Eva Johnson teacher
At the meeting of the board May rs, 1900, c. l..
Newberry of Kenosha, Wis. chosen principal
The teaching force at this time consisted of IL teach
ers. This was the year the new school built for
Winton. The following year the second floor of the
Pioneer building completed by Contractor Jury
This building of the show places of the
and Wed for beauty with the handsome school construct
ed at Virginia
AS usual, then now, there were those who
talked thigh taxes" and unnecessary expense" TO,
schools. The widest of dreamers at that time how
ever could not have even imagined the school system
of few years later and it surely is remarkable JUMP
from the old Pioneer High School to the group OF
buildings in District No. II today.
Principal Newberry held the position at the heao
of the school system for nine years until 1910
During his regime the district changed from
Common to Independent. This necesstated a change
in the makeup of the board and the three man boaro
gave way to six board. During the argument
over the change it was pointed out that three-mar
board nothing more than one-man board" Th:
statement explained by those interested in the fol
lowing words: ''When want to have things my way
get the other two members arguing and of the
two is to help out"
In 1901 U. S. G. McMahan elected director
| II. Van Blarcom treasurer and II. U. Kelly clerk
Parents of 20 children in the Savoy location pettonet
the board for transportation to the schools for Their
children. The records fail to show that the request
was granted although later bill of John Bedford fol
transportation appears and it is presumed that the
Savoy children transported. Principal Newberr!
receiving salary of $3.50 month and the average
pay of the IL teachers $55 per month.
The annual meeting of July 1907, elected Chas
Trezona treasurer; Grant McMahan director and H. c
| nn(
state aid for High Schools and age limit of years
established for entrance to school, The Hgr
School wired for electric lights and the first tele
phone placed in the school, Under the board ii
1908 the High School building added to unde,
Architect ]. R. DeWard
During this year also the title of Mr. Newberr!
changed from Principal to Superintendent and HI
instructed by the board to visit other schools of tn
state for information in line with his duties a
| superintendent A resolution also adopted jthi
year for bond issue of $4,000 for the construction
of new High School building. This issue vote
at the annual meeting in July but hitch deveIope
with the state from whom the money was to be Dor
rowed and the. bonds not issued until 1905. A
the 1903 annual meeting $685. levied for gen
eral purposes.
At this annual meeting petitions received TO
schools at Savoy and White Iron and the board wa
instructed to build the 36S votes were cast a
this meeting. H Van Blarcom elected clerk. Tn
meeting also voted the clerk and treasurer salaries
the amount of per cent of moneys disbursed an
per cent for the director. Grant McMahan, tn
director refused to accept the 1 per cent voted him
stating that it illegal and provisions in tn
law allowed the director to receive compensation. TIL
annual meeting for several years voted Director Nc
Mahan this recognition, but he stoutly maintained hi
position and refused to accept the money voted
| Thos. Jury received contract for building
school at Savoy for the sum of $1,6940O Ed Jarv
| also began school building at White Iron. Miss
| Bowen engaged teacher for the Savoy and Mis-
Anna Harrio (now Mrs. Emil Leino) for White Iron
G. G. Dennng was elected principal of the Winto,
school.
1904 saw arrangements completed for building thu
HighSchool building. "a lots in blocks 27 and 80 were
purchased from Mr. Whteside at cost of $2,25O. A
this time Matthias Hall (now the K R. HalD wa
rented for school purposes and Miss Mae E. Trezons
installed teacher bringing the number of teachers
in the district up to IT,
The High School building was completed in 1905
Smith & Vokes were the contractors and Frank L
Young architect. The building is of concrete bricl
with stone facings. The brick manufactured or
the ground. At the July meeting of the district, M
E. Gleason elected treasurer; Grant McMahan az
director and B. E. Torinus clerk to fill the unex
pired term of H. Van Blarcom. Mr.. Tornus held the
position to 1906 when Henry Chinn was elected clerk
the treasurer and director remaining the above
In 1907 the teaching force of the district hae
reached the figure of 20. $4,000 was the levy this
year for general purposes At the election in 1907
George Holmes elected director; NJ E. Gleason
treasurer and Henry Chinn clerk. The following veal
site was purchased from John Semer of Escanaba
Mich. for the Lincoln school building. Smith Woke,
contracted for the erection of the Lincoln fol
39435.00 and later refused to fill their contract for
feiting their deposit of 5000. c. E. Weirschke bull
the school, his contract figure of SAL 10000. Al
the May meeting of, the board, Geo. Holmes resigned
as director and Chas Trezona was named to fill TIT
| vacancy
Tit year 1908 also saw the transition of Distrc
NJ. IL from Common to Independent District. Thu
first meeting of the 6-man board of Independent
School District No. IL, composed of Chas. Trezona,
j. Thomas, NJ E. Gleason, Thos E. Miller M. Spreitze
and M A Tornus. organized hv electinp the frs