Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-07-10
ASKS FOR HARMONY
IN school BOARD
President Miller Wants Child
rem 10 Have Fullest Edu-
catiOnal Advantages
REGRETS SMALL
APPROPRIATION

The first regular session Of the
new Board Of Education was held last
night. Mayor John w. Lawson at
tended the meeting, but declined the
invitation Of President George Miller
TO occupy a chair on the rostrum.
After reading the minutes. Pres
dent Miller asked permission to read
some thoughts which he had reduced
10 writing. in order TO make clear.
at the start of his administration. his
ideas and policies with regard 20 his
connection with the Board His re-
marks follow:
Gentlemen Of the Board OF Edu-
cation:
"By virtue OF tho result Of the
election held on June the impor-
tant duty devolyes upon me OF pre-
siding over the meetings of this body
of men who have been chosen as
trustees of the city for the proper
education of its children. 1 realize
the responsibility fully. Fortunately
for me, the great responsibility for
results from the very best admins
tration of the work for the schools
also rests upon you This does not
mean that the individual member of
the board is to feel responsible for
the schools in his ward alone. but
he is to assume a full share of the
work for lettering conditions in all
of the schools in Wilmington, that all
Of the children shall have the full
opportunity of securing the best
education possible
For this reason IL will be neces-
sary for us to work in harmony with
only tho one great purpose in view
or making our schools as useful as
possible. We must forget any per-
sonal feelings, which would interfere
with just and fair consideration Of
the measures and questions brought
boiore US. In matters where there
may be difference Of opinion let US
show a spirit of fOrbearancc, giving
our very best thought to the subject
and making our decision In the light
OF our best judgment In matters
where we are of the same mind. le.
us put our united effort behind them
and not be satisfied with anything
but successful accomplishment.
In presiding over the meetings Of
the board, / ask your kindly con-
sideration. shall be entirely new in
following the rules OF order and in
conforming the conduct OF the bust
ness TO the bylaws of the board. /
shall hope to have your assistance
in making the meetings run smoothly
and comfortably. If at first I may
make mistakes. 1 trust that you will
bear with Tue.
Il feel that Il is most important
that we shall act at once in regard
10. D.
schools reopen in September. II Is
very essential that the committees in
charge of the construction of the new
h gh school building, the repairs
necessary on all of the school build.
ings' on fuel and janitor service and
on books and supplies should begin
their work at once and keep on the
job constantly until the work has beer
accomplished.
"ln this connection I viii ask the
superintendent of schools to pre-
pare at once for the consideration
OF the board a statement Of the ply
steal and educational deficiencies o
our schools, giving us suggestions oi
proper steps TO take to correct them
We must look TO him for this infor
nation. as he is the expert whom We
have employed and to whom we have
the right to look for proper guidance
in our work and he should be abl'
TO lay before US a feasible plan fol
constructive work. I shall hope tina
this work will be done by the super
intendent at once.
with this information before us
would suggest that the finance com
mittee should proceed at once TO for
mulate some plan by which the boar
can carry out in full the purposes
had in mind in the budget VIII oh
presented to City Council and whicl
Council unfortunately for the school
felt Il necessary TO cut down.
think that an extraordinary bulge
should be prepared covering thos
very essential items which had to b
eliminated and scaled down, and Il
addition any new and important item
which the superintendent may sug
gest in his proposition to us Thi
can then be submitted to the boar
for its serious consideration.
Il cannot forbear from saying her