Ottumwa High School - Argus Yearbook (Ottumwa, IA)

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Lester Jay C. I). Evans E. Manns Mrs. E. G. Barton C. C. Uwonberf; Mrs. I). E. Graham P. C. Raney W. McLain Board of Education Among the members of the Board of Education is divided the respon- sibility of the various schools through- out the city. Each member is the chairman of two committees. We are particularly interested in the work of the High School committee with Mr Raney as chairman. Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Barton. Mr. Jav and Mr. Evans assisting him. Mr Raney estimates that he is obliged to visit our building at least ten times each month in order to in- vestigate the advisability of improve- ments suggested by the administration here. These suggestions he then pre- sents to the Board which appropriates the necessary money if it so chooses. Shall we review for you some of the actions of the Board during 1929 and 1930? There was the correction of the faulty accoustics in the audi- orium, an improvement which cost about $3,000; the installing of an ice machine for the drinking fountains, a $2,200 project; and the purchasing of new steam tables for our cafeteria. There were teachers' rest rooms which were furnished, a new floor for the greenhouse; a club room with kitchen- ette for use by the student organiza- tions. For all of these projects, we are financially indebted to the Board of Education. Mr. Raney has further investi- gations to make. It is for him to check on such miscellaneous requests as that for the trap door used in “Seventh Heaven”; for additional shelves in the library; for new desks in conference rooms; or for a saw guard in the manual training department. Mr. Jay, the President of the Board, commented on several things in our school routine. He has noticed particularly the fine system of conduct in the halls and cafeteria. The work of the Council and the Reserves also drew his attention. Among the amus- ing sights sometimes interesting Mr. Jay are the strolling couples, the rush- ing ''preps'' and the occasionally empty information bureau. SIXTEEN

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 And Arthur's knighthood sang before the King 'The King is King; Clang battleaxe and clash brand. Let the King reign.” Idylls of the King” Administration

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R. P. Hannum, Superintendent Luelln Hiflhtshoo, Ass't. Principal F. W. Dounta. Principally , Faculty Administration Occasionally they write; occasion- ally they read; hut they are always answering questions-these admin- istrators of ours And what problems they arc called upon to solve! Mr. Douma hears a breathless Is that the last bell more often than any other inquiry He must know as much of Vassar as he docs about Har- vard in order to settle all the college credit difficulties with which the sen- iors are always overwhelming him Fen times in one morning was Miss I lightshoe called to the phone to hear the question. Is there any school today? She claims that the most frequent desire for information coming to her is. What time is it? Then there are the hopeful youths who. having heard rumors of special chap- els. always appear in the office to confirm them; and the parents who start their sons to school in the morn- ing. but call for the assurance that they really arrive there. Mr. Hannum is most frequently asked to give information as to the whereabouts of his teachers, their ad- dresses. their telephone numbers, their homes. Before a vacation he must continually announce the date of its beginning, during a vacation he is called to tell when it will end. When he visits the various schools, he must solve difficulties for teachers. When he meets parents, he is sometimes greeted with Did they really have a right to keep my boy after school1 However, the most unusual problem which came to Mr. Hannum by tele- phone in the pained and doubtful tones of a small culprit was. Please sir. could that teacher hang me up by my thumbs' She said she could. Multiply some fifty questions a day by some two hundred and fifty days Multiply this result by three — and marvel at the patience of Miss Hightshoe, Mr. Hannum and Mr. Douma. SICVBNTKRX