The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1941-11-13
School Pays for Seats,
Talks Dental Program,
Controversy Arises OUer
Both Matters; Teacher
Seeks Back Pay

Allowing payment for seats and theil
installation in Washington auditorium
and lengthy discussion of the denta
program marked the school board
meeting Monday night.
Authorizing payment of S7635.55 tt
the Farnham Stationery and Schoo
Supply company, Minneapolis, for 935
seats and "a aisle lights came after
considerable difference of opinion was
expressed over the job done on in
stallation Of the seats.
The discussion Of the dental program
carried on by the district centered
around whether the work should be
limited to examination and emergency
treatment or whether complete care
should be given
Jack Gianotti, who moved that the
seat payment be made, DR.. T. Ahola,
who supported the motion, and Ivan
Tauzell voted favorably on the motion,
and John Dragavon also approved it
after some hesitation. L. C. SLENDER
approved payment only for the seats,
and wanted 10 per cent retained pend
ing a settlement of the installation
problem. B. S. Richards voted no.
A letter from the firm was read in
which it stated that the " staggered
arrangement" of seats in the front
portion of the auditorium was neces-
sary so that vision of people seated
there would not be impaired. This ir-
,oc,,Io r;%,, ~ ;nefoIIot;ov hae Iro NY,
the boards fire.
There was considerable discussion
and difference of opinion as TO whether
the company had followed specifica-
tons in the installation. The build
ings and grounds committee had re-
fused to take action on allowing the
bill, and turned it back to the board.
Dragavon's statement that he under
stood the dental program was being
limited only to examination motiyated
the dental discussion.
Supt Stanley Adkins replied that the
district lis not going in so freely for
personal service" and that the main
purpose was to give the examination
and send reports to parents.
Dragavon continued that he thought
it poor expenditure" if $1,000 were
spent yearly on salaries and little over
500 ON supplies, and he said if an adj
ditional 500 were needed for supplies
he would approve of it.
According to figures compiled by
Dragavon during the past three terms
81 800 was spent yearly on dentists
salaries and $14079 on supplies in
1883, 1888 in 1939-40, and $199.88,
including $3.50 for castle light. in
1904.
At this point Dr. Ahola declared that
parents have the wrong impression of
the program, and that teeth of grade
children are not being permanently
cared for, and that the two school
dentists were doing only emergency
work.
He suggested that if complete care
is given that it include pupils up to the
fifth grade He felt lack of time would
prevent complete care of the sixth
grade.
Adkins said that he had found the
examination program had been stymied
by a few cases where considerable
dental work had been given a few
students. He said that during his first
year here he had been given order.
not to care for the sixth grade excep1
in case of emergency. He then found
he said, that the dentists were moi
getting over all the lower grades. The
present policy was then adopted I
follows:
Pupils teeth are examined and
reports sent to parents. A check is
made with the child on whether
recommendations of the school dem
lists have been followed by parents.
It is up to parents to see that
necessary work is done.
This plan appeared to have shs
support of some board members, al.
though no formal action to place i
in operation was taken Adkins wa.
asked to prepare report on the entire
matter for the next meeting.
William Turja, Virginia, was hirec
to audit the districts books for $325
Stember suggested that it would be q
matter Of good business to change the
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