Newark star-eagle. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1916-1939, 1916-01-31
SOMMER RAISES
VOICE AGAINST
W|NSER RULES
Tells SchooImen's Club Board
of Education Would Become
NuIIity Under Them.
NEW ASST. SUPT. FOR
"JANlTORS AND FlREMEN"
President johnson, Who Retiros
from Board, Speaks in De-
fense of Changes.

In educational circles today there is
considerable discussion over Frank
II. Sommer's verbal attack on the re
vised set Of rules that are proposed to
govern the Board of Education and
the local school system. Mr.. sommer,
who is vice. president of the educa-
tionel body. and Charles z. Taylor a
member, voiced their objections at the
annual banquet of the Sehoolmen's s.
Club, held at tho Washington Satur-
day night
ono of the recommendations SGT
forth in tho new set of rules. compiled
by Miss Beatrice Ninser. member
of the board, and who is also a assistant
librarian TO John Cotton Dana at the
Newark Free Public Library, is the
appointment of another assistant
superintendent. There are already
four assistant superihtendents, al
though DR. David r. Corson has the
classification of first assistant.
The tenor OF Mr.. Sommer's address.
and also the remarks of Mr. Taylor.
who was also a speaker. is considered
by many as the opening of cam
pisn against the revised rules which
will bring about their ultimate defeat.
His Idea of School Board.
During his discourse Mr. Sommer
advocated the formation of an adj
visory board to be composed of bust
ness men, manufact cturers and en-
ployes. He contended that this board
might be called upon by the educa-
tionat authorities for suggestions and
advice concerning industrial and voca-
tional studies. He also recommended
the formulation of another advisory
council, this to be composed of MEM
bers of the teaching force, and the
principal purpose of this council would
be to offer suggestions and advice for
various programs of study and the
best methods for carrying them into
effect. Mr.. Sommer also contendeC
that the teaching force should be re-
lieVed of some of It's duties, instead OF
increasing their present burdens.
"Ot course, ii is essential that the
additional assistant superintendent
should hold a State certificate, and it
is essential that he be paid $4,000. But
the only work | can see that he will
per: orTn is to be superintendent of the
the schools said Mr.. Sommer, in
voicing his objection TO the appoint
ment of another assistant superinten-
dent. THAT is to prepare him, ] pre-
sumo, for membership of the board of
examiners, and this is proposed to be
done under the rules in the name or
economy and efficiency"
The astonishing thing is that, while
some of the members of the board
have been working for year
formulating rules continued Mr..
Sommer, "the president seeks to
resign when they are coming
into vogue. Perhaps he thinks it is a
good thing for us to try out. Under
the proposed rules, the Board of Edu-
cation becomes nullity. Under these
rules the superintendent acts not only
in reference to education, but has
charge of buildings, supervision of the
architects, and even the janitors are
imposed upon him. l say that rules
that impose such a system cannot sue
ceed.
'I am delighted to meet the school
men of Newark tonight, for / don't
know when | am to meet you again,
as there are to be new rules in New
ark 1t is planned to isolate the Board
of Education from the teachers,
Wnetnef TO protect Lle DodTu Hlelll-
bers from the teachers. or the teach
ers from the board members, | don't
know.
"I do know that the proposed new
rules forbid a teacher to communicate
orally or in writing with the board. 1t
will be a heinous offense for a prin-
cipal to hold communication with the
Board of Education, and II must be a
much more heinous offense for the
Board of Education to hold a COM
munication with you.
Fundamentally New Ideas.
81 would not discuss this matter
were it not that you were to be con-
fronted IN educational affairs by
fundamentally new ideas. You have
put before you the policy for which
] stand. The planning of policies and
the carrying of them into effect is
sufficient for any one man if the edu-
cational force of the city is to accom-
plish what 1t designs to accomplish.
ITO carry out our purpose as 1t was
designed to carry it out it cannot have
imposed upon its head or subordlnates
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