The History of Western Technical College

Previous to hearing the communication, the Board adopted a ruling whereby all full-time students accepted in the
school who are nonresidents must pay $10 a month tuition - up until now, the tuition fee was only for the College of
Commerce.
On December 18, 1934, the Vocational Board met concerning the WBU issue. Attending the meeting were 17
members of the La Crosse Common Council, Mr. Hambrecht, director of Vocational Education of the State of
Wisconsin, some students from the Wisconsin Business University, Mr. Leigh Toland, president of the WBU, and
Hugh Toland, along with a few others. Leigh Toland presented a communication in person in which he stated he
would mail it direct to the Board of Vocational Education. Director Hambrecht presented the history of free public
school education and also the legal side of the operation of vocational schools in the field of free public education.
The Vocational School Board responded to Toland's letter on May 17, 1935. The letter, signed by President Albert P.
Funk, and Secretary G. M. Wiley, read:
"The Board of Vocational Education of the City of La Crosse at its regular meeting under date of May 14, 1935,
considered your letters of March 12 and April 18, 1935.
"This Board is administering vocational education in the City of La Crosse in accordance with the laws of the
State of Wisconsin governing this type of education in regard to students outside of the city. This law provides
that nonresident students may attend vocational school on payment of a fee of fifty cents per day or evening of
actual attendance. The local Board of Vocational Education believes that is operating within the spirit and
purpose of this law by admitting students to any department of the local Vocational School upon payment of
tuition at the rate of fifty cents per day or evening of actual attendance.
"The report of the enrollment in the College of Commerce of the La Crosse Vocational School under date of
January 8, 1935, records 165 pupils. Of this number, 19 were nonresident students. Two of these nonresident
students being included in the enrollment of students by the rehabilitation department of the State of
Wisconsin. The total teacher cost for all of these students is $890.00 annually. The income from tuition is
$1900.00, leaving a net teacher cost of $7050.00.
"The Board of Vocational Education has not broken down the capital outlay and operating costs."
(The WBU, a privately operated business was founded by Frank Toland in 1892. The Toland family founded eleven
business universities in six states. The local Wisconsin Business University, located at 307-309 Main Street, closed in
1940.)
Where the tax dollar goes - a tax mill rate increase was adopted for 1935 by the La Crosse Common Council. The 24
mill rate for 1935 was based upon income and estimated expenditures of $1,633,710.34. A breakdown of a chart of
expenses showed that 25.4 percent was for maintaining the modern public school system and that 2.8 percent was
earmarked for industrial education, the local Vocational School.
On Monday, February 18, 1935, a demonstration in stencil cutting and the appropriate use of the mimeograph was
given at the Vocational School. In the demonstration, a film was presented showing the processes through which
stencil paper passes from the time it is a plant growing in Japan until it is used to reproduce copies of pictures or
typewritten material. "There is no country in the civilized world today that does not know the advantages and uses
of the mimeograph and stencil."
Friday, February 15, 1935 was the date for a Valentine Party. The social committee of the La Crosse Vocational
School decided to offer a gala party for the students and their friends. The committee chose the rhythmic and new
tunes of Don Carr's orchestra. Alumni and friends of the school were invited.
In response to President Franklin Roosevelt's request regarding a survey on what schools are doing for the
unemployed, the La Crosse Vocational School submitted a report to the State Vocational Board indicating that
• 350 high school graduates are being trained for the fields of commerce and industry,
• The Vocational School has been enlarged and there were 4,492 for the first semester. In addition, there were
1,202 enrolled in the EEP classes, and an additional Evening School was opened at Webster School (then located
at 1402 Redfield Street in La Crosse.)
• Classes/activities were conducted to take care of the leisure time of young men.
• Rehabilitation - more handicapped persons are in jobs and positions, and 26 are in training.