By Mattie M. Davis.
Some of the early records were either burned with the courthouse in 1903 or not deemed of sufficient moment to be kept, and it seems impossible to give a complete history of the educational growth in the county.
From the old records in the office of the county auditor we find that A. McHench was the first county superintendent of Cass County. He was appointed February 16, 1874, by the governor of the territory of Dakota. He organized school district No. 1 (Fargo), which extended from the Red River on the east, north, west, and south way beyond the present school boundaries of the district, which has been rearranged to conform to the city limits.
The first schoolhouse site was the lot now occupied by the Unitarian church. The building faced the south and was added to in the form of a court as the school increased in size, and the original building is now at the foot of Third Street South.
The first teacher licensed to teach by Superintendent McHench in the public schools was Miss Giddings, followed later by George Traut. Mr. McHench served only a few months, as he was elected a member of the legislature at the election in November 1874. At this time J. R. Jones was elected superintendent of schools. He was followed by S. G. Roberts, who in turn was succeeded by Jacob Lowell, Jr. Each served one term. The successor of Mr. Lowell was E. W. Knight. Following Mr. Knight was James S. Campbell, who served two terms. November 1882, B. F. Spaulding was elected and served one term. November 4, 1884, J. F. Gleason was elected and served until succeeded by Judge William Mitchell, who served until the territory became two states and Judge Mitchell was elected as the first state superintendent of public instruction. When Mr. Mitchell was made state superintendent, William J. Clapp was appointed county superintendent and served until the death of Mr. Mitchell, during the first session of the legislature, when Mr. Clapp was appointed to the office of state superintendent, and J. F. Callahan completed the term and was twice elected afterward, serving until the election of Robert Butler in 1894. Mr. Butler served two years and on November 3, 1896, Mattie M. Davis was elected and is the present county superintendent (sixth term). A. McHench, Jacob Lowell, S. G. Roberts, James S. Campbell, Judge Spaulding, William J. Clapp, and J. F. Callahan still reside in the county.
From the first, the district system prevailed in Cass County. These were organized slowly as the need of school privileges appeared until the four years from 1878 to 1882, during the superintendency of James S. Campbell, when a large number were organized. At present we have 120 school districts, varying in size from that of district No. 7 (Mapleton), which has fifty-seven sections, to No. 96, which lies on the north side of Fargo and contains one section and three lots. Several of these districts have a central building and provide transportation for the pupils.
There are 216 schools and departments outside the city of Fargo. These are cared for by 600 school officers, each common district having a board of three directors, a clerk, and a treasurer.
School buildings, on the average, are in good repair. Those of the graded schools are nearly all modern, while several of the country schools have installed heating and ventilating plants and others are planning to put them in soon.
The school officers and patrons generally are willing to pay for good work in the schoolroom to supply books and whatever seems to be of real use in the education of the children.
Fargo Public Schools
Taken from the Forum.
One of the surest indications of a city’s pride and progressiveness or lack of it is always to be found in the condition of its public schools. The educational system of a city is one of the first things to be investigated by those who are looking into a city’s standing. It is like the bank account of a merchant upon which his credit largely depends. Judged by this standard, Fargo must be regarded as one of the most prosperous and progressive cities in the country, for its educational system surpasses in excellence and completeness the systems of many cities several times its size. From the primary department through the high school, it is of the most modern and best.
Occupying eight large buildings which are fully equipped and fitted up in the most approved style for school purposes, the pupils of the Fargo public schools number nearly 3,000, while the corps of instructors number over seventy. The present valuation of the school property is estimated to be about $300,000, and it costs in the neighborhood of $100,000 each year to run this great system. Of this sum about $30,000 is secured from the state and the remainder is appropriated by the residents of the city through taxation.
The largest school building in the city is the central building, and this, together with the high school building, which adjoins it, is beautifully located on a fine piece of property, covering an entire block of ground in the heart of one of the best residence districts of the city. The buildings are of brick and are surrounded by a large campus, which is bordered with a beautiful growth of trees. The various graded schools of the city are also very well situated.
That the policy of the board of education is progressive and the schools are being kept up-to-date in every particular is evidenced by the number of improvements which are being made. Within the past three years one new school building has been built and four-room additions have been made to two schools already erected. A remarkable feature of these building operations, and one which illustrates the rapid growth of the city, is the fact that the Roosevelt school, a four-room building which was erected in 1904, had to have an addition of equal size made to it two years later. The vacuum system of heating and the Van Auken system of ventilation have been installed in several of the grade buildings and also in the high school and central buildings.
The course of study offered in the high school is one of the most complete to be found anywhere. In addition to the usual classical and scientific departments, a well-equipped manual training department was established two years ago and a full commercial course will be instituted next year. The attendance at the high school is large, and the students are guided through the paths of learning by a dozen scholarly and competent instructors.
One of the most practical improvements made in the public school system was the installation of a regular office for the transaction of the routine business connected with the administration of the schools. This has resulted in the appointment of a regular secretary and has greatly systematized the work of administration, enabling the board to save a considerable sum in textbooks alone.
Fargo Colleges
Is an exponent of Congregationalism and was established in 1887. It ranks among the leading educational institutions of the state. Rev. E. M. Vittum is president. See chapter on higher education.
Dakota Business College was opened by F. L. Watkins, March 1891, with five pupils. Look at the class of 1925!
Aaker’s Business College was established by H. H. Aaker, October 27, 1902, with three pupils. Since their establishment they have enrolled several thousand, hundreds of whom have been placed in clerical positions. The equipment of the business colleges mentioned above ranks second to none in the West.