The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-09-06
Facts Surrounding Resigna-
ton of Miss Johnson, High
School Teacher, Are Com
ing to Light.
SUPT. MOTT FAILED
TO KEEP PROMISE
Of Promotion and Failed to
Inform board she was Ap-
plicant, Friends of Teach
er Allege.

When requested by the Palladium a
short time since to make public her
reasons for her sudden resignation
from the high school faculty, Miss
Edna Johnson, a popular and efficient
member of that body, absolutely
refused to make any statement, and
continues to refuse.
However, the following facts have
been secured from an authoritative
source:
Miss Johnson, who prepared herself
for the teaching Of Latin, having re-
ceived both her bachelors and mas
ter's degree from the state university
and who taught Latin il. that institu-
ton and occupied several responsible
positions in such department in vari-
GUS schools including the Evansville
high school, applied for the position
Of head of that department in the
Richmond high school upon the res
ignation Of Mr.. Menk at the end of
last year.
Miss johnson had, two years previ-
GUS to this, applied for the position of
the head Of the Latin Department but
was refused.
Becomes English Teacher.
However she accepted a position
with the English department having
taken special courses in English and
having had several years experience
in teaching it with the result that Mr..
Murray, the English teacher who re-
signed at the end Of last year. stated
she was ''one of the strongest teachers
of English I have ever been associated
with"
During the last semenster of the last
school year Miss Johnson at the re-
quest of Superintendent Mott, and
without extra compensation, taught
several German classes.
Upon learning that Mr.. Menk had
resigned she at once applied for the
position of the head of the Latin de-
partment.
Miss Johnson last month sent in a
written application to the School
Board.
She was informed by Mr.. Mott, in
conversation, that the board preferred
a man for the position. but that both
she and Miss Francisco-a teacher in
the Latin department who had stated
that she did not want to remain in
the latter department, but preferred to
teach mathematics entirely as she has
been doing in part-would be consid-
cred If they found no man satisfactory.
An UnfuifiiIed Promise.
Miss Johnson informed Mr.. Mott, at
this time, as Miss Francisco had In
formed the Board, that Miss Francisco
did not want to be in the Latin depart
ment, either as it's head or assistant.
Mr.. Mott then stated that If wom-
an were considered Miss johnson
would be his first choice for the posi-
ton of head of the Latin department
Miss johnson was amazed, therefore
upon hearing that another local WON.
an, Miss Smelser. had been appoint
| ed to the position, a teacher who is
thoroughly efficient but whose name
had not been mentioned in connection
with the position.
Friends of Miss Johnson aver that
she further learned that there had
been no meeting of the school board
to consider the merits of all the ap.
plicants; that her application had new
er been presented to the board; that
| Mr.. Mott had merely called up the
members of the board individually and
had asked them whom they preferred
for the position-the young woman
now appointed or a man from out OF
town--and had not stated to either OF
the three members of the board that
Miss Johnson had sent in a written
application, and that he had promised
If any woman was appointed she
should have the first consideration
When Miss Johnson realized the situa
ton, she resigned.
Board In The Dark.
| The various members of the board
called up Miss Johnson and assured
her that they did not know she had
made application for the position oi
head of the Latin department, and beg
ged that she reconsider her resigna
ton, Miss johnson. in the meantime
having been appointed as an assistan,
in the Latin and German departments
This she refused to do.