Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-26
NO PAIN OVER PARTING
BALTIMORE SCHOOL PATRONS
DISLIKE VAN SICKLE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
BALTIMORE. Nd. July 26.-The vast
majority of Baltimoreans, those who are
directly interested In the education of chill
dren, are living In the hope that Super
intendent Van Sickle will accept the offer
reported as made by the school board of
Washington, and hand in his resignation.
The unpcpularity of Mr.. Van Sickle dates
from his first year of service here. He
is known as an advocate and promoter of
innovations. and had only been superintend-
ent here three months when general re-
organization of the public school system
was put into effect.
The new plan caused much discomfort
among teachers, male and female and a
storm of protest came from all quarters
over what was then characterized as un-
fair treatment of the women teachers and
some OF the men. As a result general de-
moralization followed which continued for
over year and even now there are oc-
casional muttertngs heard against the man.
ner In which school affairs are handled
The reorganization plan provided for the
grouping of the schools of the city with
twenty-five groups of as nearly equal num-
Der OF pupils as possible. Over each group
was pla1bd a principal at a maximum sal
ary of $2,O00 per year, and the head of
each school was made vice principal at
salary of $500 a year. All other teachers
We're designated as assistants and their
salaries fixed at a minimum of 1904 a
year. A notable feature of the reorgani-
zation was the general elimination of wo-
men from the principalships In discussing
this phase of the situation a well-known
school teacher said today:
Subordination of Women.
1T was difficult for teacher to under
stand why there should be such general
subordination of the women on the teach
in Of tb
in the schools at least one could have been
found who would have been capable of
filling the position of group principal But
the general plan of Prof. Van Sickle seemed
to have preferred to elevate the men wheth-
er they were fitted for the higher positions
or not. L can today point out six group
principals who have been placed over wo-
men who are superior in every way to
the men who have been placed above them.
Not only In the appointment of group
principals, but in the selection of vice prn-
cipals. have men been placed as far as pos
sible above the women The teachers were
discouraged and indignant then. They are
little less so now. They have not become
reconciled to the lack of consideration
which has been shown to them all as a
mass, nor to the injustice shown to many
as Individual members of the whole body
of teachers Prof. Van Sickle may get the
impression from the group principals that
things are working smoothly-and these
present school system could have any
charms. Prof. Van Sickle would not get
any such impression from the teachers IL
they felt safe to ventilate their minds He
does not seem to be aware that many teach
ers are complaining bitterly of the dog
matte manner assumed by the young men
who have been placed above both men and
women of longer years of service and of
greater efficiency.
Hedged in by Kitchen Cabinet
prof. Van Sickle. however, is hedged
about by his kitchen cabinet and takes
advice with them alone, showing no dispo-
sition to ascertain the views held by the
teachers as a body"
Ever since the advent of Prof. Van Sickle
In Baltimore the school commissioners have
been divided, certain members supporting
Prof. Van Sickle, while the others were op-
posed to many of his plans One of the
commissioners said to The Star correspond
ent this afternoon: II certainly hope that
Washington will succeed in securing the
services Of Prot. Van Sickle.
1T has struck me as Just little curious
that every time a big educational position
becomes vacant in any large city Prof Van
Sickle is always mentioned in the dis
patches as a possibility. 1t is a feature
which passes my understanding and brings
the suggestion to my mind that publicity
bureau or an educational trust must be at
work. In the event that Supt. Van Sickle
goes to Washington, will make big fight
to have local man placed at the head of
our public schools"