Evening journal., 1915-02-10
NEW Alumni BILL
brings CRITICISM
OF SCHOOL BOARD
Legislature Hears Argument
on Best Methods for
Schools
PRESIDENT BAYNARD
Tells OF Differences

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
STATE HOUSE, Dover, Del. Feb.
1O.-Members of the House Commit
tee on Municipal Corporations and the
Senate Committee on Cities and Towns
gave an extended hearing this morn
ing on the bill to reorganize the VIII
mington Board of Education. It was
in the Senate Chamber and Senator
Hickman presided.
The hearing was largely attended
Members of the Alumni Association
advocated seven member board,
while members of the Board of Edu-
cation. who recently passed a resolu-
tion advocating abolition of the board,
today protested against any change in
IL. Members of the board at the
meeting were President Samuel A..
Baynard, DR.. r. o. Cooper, DR.. II. G..
Buckmaster, Hiram Yerger and Frank
Zebley.
Superintendent of Schools Clifford j
Scott, Secretary Harry J. Guthrie anC
Supervisor William Croney also were
present.
Harry c. Mahaffy, president of the
High School Alumni, said the asso-
citation had not and would not make
any charges against members of the
Board of Education personally, but
was concerned in getting improve
ments for the best good of the schools
Mr.. Mahaffy said there was nc
doubt about public dissatisfaction
over criticism Of the actions of the
Board Of Education. The movement
for a reorganization of the board, Mr.
Mahaffy asserted, originated entirely
with officers of the Alumni Associa-
ton.
Mr.. Mahaffy pointed out that tn,
thirteen members of the board are di
vided up into forty-four committees
which he did not believe could do eff
ective work He believed a smaller
concentrated board could get th'
most efficien, results. Mr.. Mahaff.
exhibited a map to show how tn
ward system of representation is un
fair in that for instance, the Firs
ward. with small populationl and on
school, has as large a representation
on the board as the Seventh ward
with the High School and many othe
schools, and with large population.
Mr.. Mahaffy said the tendency now
adays is for smaller Boards of Edu
cation. Boston, he said, has mode
board of five members. He pointe
out that the Wilmington Board o
Education has a cumbrOus rOutin
system that should be done ava
with by the election of a small boar
by the voters at large.
Mr.. Mahaffy pointed out that tn
Board of Education itself had en-
dorsed the project to abolish the pres
ent board when it adopted a resolu
ton requesting the city solicitor {
prepare a bill TO abolish the boar
and turn control of schools over I
City Council, "but we don't think tina
is the proper remedy" said Mr.. Ma
haffy. Council has enough to d
now"
Explaining the bill. Mr.. Mahaff
said it provided that the board sha
keep a proper set of books. Failur
Of the board to keep a proper set
books had been criticized by CIT
Council, Mr.. Mahaffy said. He adde
hat reorganization of the board wa
endorsed by Council, the Chamber
Commerce, the Alumnae Associatio
md the Delaware Association Of Co
lege Women All the newspapers
Wilmington also endorsed it, he sat
we have not received a single con
plant, objection or criticism Of tn
bill in Wilmington" Mr. Mahaffy az
serted.
p. Warren Green, vice-president
the Alumni, was the next speake
"Our entire object has been to NAL
the board responsive to the publ
WILL" he said, in explaining that Il
bill provided for seven members,
be elected at large.
He submitted a list of fifty-tive citi
which thirty-one elected their boa
members at large, four in which tn
are partly appointed and elected a
fourteen in which they are appointed
large. All have small boards from thr
members up. He pointed out ninete
state commissioners of education recol
mend boards of education of nine mel
bers or less, including DIR. Wagner, Sta
Commissioner of Delaware.
DIR. Claxton, National Commissioner
Education. and Dr. Eliot, of Harvard,
favor small board. Mr.. Green re
from official publications. Seven me
bers for the board was decided upon
Continued On Page Two.
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