The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-11-12
CBy MRS. N. E .PLAssMANN)

TTAVRE has the distinction of hav-
ing the only woman superin-
- tendent of schools in the state
of Montana, and her schools do not
suffer from the experiment.
superintendent Elizabeth Irelnad is not
as her name would indicate, of Irish ex-
traction, both of her parents having been
born in Glasgow, Scotland. Her father was
q pioneer in the northern part of Mime
sofa, where he owned a large amount of
land, about 80 miles from st. Paul. Here
Miss Ireland attended the country schools
part Of the time, but received most Of her
grade instruction through home teaching,
and that best of te"acherS-gOOd reading.
Later she attended st. Cloud academy,
the high and Normal schools. Then follow
ed a year at the University of Minnesota.
With this preparation she began her
teachers career by a two years term in
Tacoma, Washington. On her way home
from there she passed through Montana,
which looked good to her" and she decid-
ed 10 continue the family tradition Of pi-
Oneering, by locating a homestead on the
Marias.
Unlike the majority of women, Miss Ire
land continued her studies, both while on
the ranch, and during her teaching, which
occupation helped to relieve the mOnOtOny
of her ranch life, and probably helped to
pay for her homestead.
For thirteen years she has been a resi-
dent of Hill county, spending most of this
time in Havre, where she taught in the
grade schools was made principal of the
Junior High school, and served in both
capacities so efficiently that she was made
county superintendent Of schools, and held
this office for six years. She then taught
in the high school until elected city sup
erintendent in 1925, and was reelected to
the position this spring for a term of three
years.
Notwithstanding all these activities, Miss
Ireland kept up her studies, until she Won
a Bachelors degree from the University OF
Montana and iG now working for q Mas.
ter'S degree in Education, from COlumbis
University.
Being of Scotch ancestry, it is superflu-
Gus to state that Miss Ireland is a PreSby'
terrain. in faith. which fact by no means
detracts from her popularity with those
who belong to other churches. All who
know her recognize her unusual ability, and
are satisfied that she is admirably uCJeC
to be in control of the city schools.
One writes from Havre of their city sup
erintendent: Her administration of thu
schools is characterized by economy and er
ficiency.
1--WE are Just finishing a new high schOO
auditorium that has been paid for by mon.
ey saved last year under her management,
and The Stampede, the Havre high schOO
paper, continues in the same vein: Mis-:
ireland deserves much credit and praisl
since it is her economy that made a new
auditorium possible. Last year she saved
in school expenses approximately the COS
Of the new building. This economy is es
pecially praise-wOrthy in view Of the fac
that in former years, when the enrOllmen
was less, funds seemed barely suff1clen
TO meet expenses . ." .
For a woman superintendent of schools
to have established such an enviable record
is encouragement to other towns to trI
the same experiment, with undOubtedl!
the same gratifying result.
The Havre high school auditorium t.
which reference is made, is said to accom-
mOdate COO persons, and is a m~uch-neede'
addition to the beautiful high schoo
building.