The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-08-20
MINNESOTA NECLECTS
ITS RURAL SCHOOLS
MODERN SILOS AND BARNS ARE
ERECTED BUT NOT MODERN
SCHOOLS
OBSOLETE TYPE USED
STATE INSPECTOR SAYS BETTER
BUILDINGS ARE VERY BADLY
NEEDED

81. Paul, Aug. 18-Ambitious rural
minnesota, rushing erection on pala-
tial barns, sllos and creameries for
the indispensable dairy cow and SIM
mar monuments to other leading
phases of the states great farm in
dustry, is neglecting its schools.
While literally thousands are going
forward furthering crop marketing
agencies and other agricultural activ-
tiles, some agarain communities still
persist in building antiouated and
and two-room school houses ont Of
style for a generation.
These, with others who continue to
keep up old buildings unfit for use,
keep many of the states 10000 rur-
al school children working under
backward surroundings much longer
than social conditions of the commun-
tiles would warrant.
This is the information issued in a
statement to The Associated Press bv
Samuel A. Challman, state inspector
Of school buildings in the office of J
M. Mcconnell, commissioner of edu.
cation.
| Preferring not to cause unneces-
sary alarm, Mr.. Challman declared
that this movement which apparently
is gaming momentum in the face of
improved financial conditions, 'has
created situation which while COM
mon is not necessarily general"
The state inspector declared that
the thing was "highly inexcusable
simply because there is no shortage of
rumors; ample assistance and advice
has been offered; because these OBJ
solete types of schools are not being
erected IN the poorer sections of the
nTth state but in the richer regions
OF Central and Western Minnesota :"
Mlnnesota's rural school system,
PRINCIPALLY because of the prompt ac-
ton OF the more prosperous and ae-
greSslve communities in consolidating
their schools under the legislative act
of ala11, has ''made commendable
progress and it now ranks AMONG.
the leading states in the nation.
But, according to Mr.. Challman. if
the present Indifference continues to
spread the states educational status
Will be lowered, thus undermining the
work accomplished under the system
OF schools established by pioneers
who worked under adverse conditions.
There is sufficient room in this
state for the nation-leading farm in
dustry as well as schools and there is
no use for any Minnesota commun-
lty to sacrifice : one for the other,
especially education for industry in a
state with Minnesota's resourceful-
ness and intellect" declared Mr..
Challman.
''The state education department
has worked hard to discourage erec-
ton of those one and two-room build
lngs; it urges it's county superintend-
ents to work accordingly but the ma
jority is on the side of the indiffer
emit; they blame the county school
heads, their neighbors or anyone to
escape the responsibility.
Mr.. Challman had just read a let
ter from a Southern Minnesota sup
erlntendent, telling of an unsuccess-
full attempt to halt construction of a
small school which had been author
lied by the school board. In this
case the school head personally Wis
iited representative citizens and board
members but they pretended to ac-
quIesce, uttering an affirmative
"Yah," and then failed to appear at
meetings called to take formal action.
Where there are sufficient persons
interested in plans for more modern
buildings which have been refused by
the recognized board, Mr.. Challman
advises that they get five freeholders
to sign a petition, call a meeting ana
inquire of the state investment board
FOR information about bond issues and
other steps.
The state Inspector recommends
the consolidated school as the best
for the rural communities needs.
There are at present 5000 rural
schools in Minnesota. Of these, 354
are of the consolidated type, ranging
from student capacity of 80 to $50
and upwards.
Two hundred and six of these con-
solidated schools were built by 1916,
five years after the state law, en-
couraging their use, was passed.
Most of the remaining structures
were established within the next five
year period. Last year the move
nent reached virtual standstill.
Mr.. Challman said he realized
! that the field had been narrowed WITH
many communities availing them
selves Of the opportunity to have these
first-class schools, but he considere1.
the present lull untimely in view of
the general rural conditions, includ-
| ing better methods of transportation
over improved roads.
Whereas one-roonl schools, with a
lcapacity of 80 to 40 pupils and two
room schools, capacity 40 to 80, may
be built for $4,000 and $4,000, re-
| spectively, a modern consolidated
school with Accommodations for up
wards Of 80 pupils and facilities to
instruct them according to, modern
methods may be erected for S14, 900
to $4,000 he said.
The rural setback in the matter of
education has occurred while the ur-