South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-21
Final Action of Board of Edu-
cation and Attitude of Pupils
and Patrons Put it Up to In
Stitution to Measure Up.
PRINCIPAL RETAINED
BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
Trustees ReappOint incumbent
After Stormy Session at
Which Patrons Voice 0pin-
ions Without Restraint.

r l. Sims. principal of the South
bend high school and reappointed TO
ahat Office BY the South Bend board
Uf school trustees after a stormy pub
Die session Tuesday night. expressed
himself Wednesday morning as being
entireIy satisfied with the outcome OF
the boards deliberations.
His only comment was:
The final action OF the board
OF education. together with the
attitude Of the pupils. teachers,
press and patrons has placed a
heavy obligation upon the school
10 measure up to the highest ex-
pectations Of its friends. While
il Is egrettable that there should
have been so much publicity and
discussion concerning the minor
matter OF the incumbency OF one
position, yet. If there has grown
OlIt of it all a better and clearer
idea on the part OF both the
school and the public, of what
the school Is expected to accom-
plish in the way of service to the
community. the publicity may not
have been wholly harmful.
Enter Year Confidently.
With the assurance OF the
hearty backing of the board of
education. and the cordial sup
port of its many loyal friends the
school should enter upon the next
year with confidence, and with a
strong determination To do its full
share in promoting the general
welfare of South Bend
The decision of the board was
Unanimous, and according TO George
a KnoblOCk. chairman, the session Of
Tuesday night was the first at which
the board members really considered
the appointment of a new principal.
as
Eussed from every angle and that the
board had endeavOred TO answer the
popular demand as well as place a
man experienced with the work from
u local viewpoint in a position where
1lis experience will most benefit the
community.
The public meeting which preceded
the closed session of the board was a
stormy affair. in which the public
opinion in favor of Mr.. Sims was
strongly expressed. Representatives
,of the student body. OF the teaching
force and the parents Of students
limited in demanding that Mr.. Sims
rhe retained, and that his opponents
1Ie compelled TO give reasons why a
change should be made.
Tribune i Raped.
cit is the South Bend Tribune and
1Ot the board of education, that has
pointed his successor said Arthur l..
Hubbard. member OF the board in
answer 20 the demand for reasons for
making a change
The board has not taken any ac-
tion against Mr Sims" stated Mr..
Hubbard. "and viii not until we find a
man who We can be assured is a bet
Ter man for the place. The Tribune
1S the only one who has selected Mr..
Sims successor as yet"
William Happ, who was one of
those who spoke in favor of Mr.. Sims.
answered the question frequently
raised during the meeting as 20 why
some people were trying TO cause
change OF principals.
Prof. Sims is To be depOsed be-
Eause ne insisted that some OF the
teachers who have been trying for
years 10 run the school system of
South Bend must desist. and pay at
rention to their own duties. He is TO
Doe depOsed because he refused TO take
Inc easiest way and fire from school
ell those who needed discipline. pre-
1erring To help these unruly students
to become law-abiGing and conscieh-
rious scholars. He is TO he deposed
because someone who is afraid 10
make himself known, wants someone
else 10 have the place.
lis the school board going 10 dis
regard the petition OF $50 students of
The high SCHOOL, Is the board going
10 go against the wishes Of the greater
part Of the voters and school patrons
~ the city merely because a few wish
10 have Mr. Sims removed?"
Petition Presented.
The petition referred to was pre-
Fantsd by Walter Phelan. one Of the
senior committee who attended the
meeting 20 voice the student senti-
ment i'm favor OF the retention OF Prof.
Sims. The petition contained the
names of nearly all OF the students
present at school Tuesday afternoon.
when it was circulated.
The strongest. most progressive
high school principal ] have ever
known" was the characterization Of
Nr. Sims given by Judge w. T.. Miller.
who stated that il would be a great
misfortune for South Bend to lose the
services OF such a valuable man.
Several parents told OF what had
been done IN helping their children
progress IN their studies by Prof. Sims.
many high tributes being paid 20 his
unfaling efforts To aid his students in
their studies and outside activities
The sentiment of the teaching force
was voiced by q. Il. Johnson. head OF
the publt speaking department. who
stated that over 50 per cent OF the
high school teachers had signed a
petition declaring that no dissentiOn
existed between them and the prin-
cipal.
Called Great Educator
During two years as a member OF
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