WEBSTER GRADE SCHOOL BUILDING
The school continued to grow from year to year and as the increase of pupils demanded, additions were made to the old building. In 1906 a brick building was built for the grades. In 1920 the old frame building was wrecked and the present high school building was erected. A heating plant was built as an addition to the grade building. We remember that 1920 was the year when prices reached the peak, but this fact did not swerve the builders from their purpose. The new buildings cost the district over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
The status of the Webster school, 1925. High school pupils 201; grades, 0349; totaling 550. Faculty, high school, 11; grades 9. Graduated, 17 boys and 23 girls. Salary paid to teachers, $32,409.16; salary of superintendent, $3,000; of principal, $2,400; average salary of men, $1,860; of women, $1,524; tuition cost per pupil for school year, $125; valuation of buildings and grounds, $275,000; value of furniture and equipment, $30,000; volumes in library, 1,380; total amount of outstanding bonds, $161,000; total amount of outstanding warrants, $18,593.16; (the bonds bear 5 1/2 per cent and the warrants bear 7 per cent interest.) Total amount of money with school treasurer, $33,19729.
Note.—The block upon which the school building stand was procured by the same citizens who secured the court house block and did not cost the district a dollar.
St. Otto's Parochial School.—In 1893 the trustees of St. Otto's church purchased the Davis and Rankin creamery building, moved it to the church grounds and established the first parochial school. It was remodeled in such a way as to provide two school rooms and living rooms for the sisters. This building answered the purpose until 1910 when the present brick building was erected. The building contains three class rooms, living quarters for the sisters, and room for boarding pupils.
In 1925 the school had an enrollment of 107 pupils, a faculty of three grades and two music teachers, one cook, sisters from the order of St. Benedict.
Note.—Mary Mirau who was born in Day county and the first child born in this parish, baptized by Father Mensing, entered the order of St. Benedict and became the Mother Superior of the Mother house at Yankton. She retained this position until her death in 1923.
Note.—Webster is indebted to many for its development, but there are always some who seem worthy of special mention because of their extreme loyalty and faithful efforts in behalf of their home city.