Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-04-07
ASSERT BOARD OF EDUCATION
GROUP And SENATOR GORMLEY
DEFEATED SCHOOL BOARD Bill

statements of deficiencies were based
upon the opinions of experts. both in
Wilmington and from outside of Will
mington. The opposition took the per
sonal position that as members of the
Board of Education, they should not
be legislated out of their non-salaried
positions before their terms expired.
The opposition argued that the good
work being done by the teachers Tin
spite of the adverse conditions cited
by the Joint Citizens Committee) was
reason for continuing the present
system of management, and that the
schools are good enough as they are,
If more money were available TO be
spent under the present system, for
repairs and additional building units.
In the estimation Of the Joint Citi-
zens' Committee the full endorsement
Of the program embodied in Senate
Bill 9S by the press, by large numbers
of individuals. and by the prominent
organizations in this city, is sufficient
evidence that Wilmington did not view
the arguments of the opposition as
carrying weight when the interests Of
over 10000 public school children We're
at stake. All of these facts We're fully
presented to the members of the
Legislature.
"Coincident with the citizens move.
ment, represented by Senate Bill SO,
the Board of Education had intro
duced a bill asking for authorization
to bond the city for $500 600 to build
five schooi buildings at 500 600 each.
Il was stated by President Baynard Of
the Board Of Education that they pro-
posed to build a modern twenty-room
unit school for this sum t$1OO,0OO)
The Board of Education evil
IDENTIFY did not study the cost Of
such schools and equipment, neither
did il work out a program in con-
sultatiOn with the superintendent of
schools. and the Board as a whole did
not consider the constructive policy
I necessary for a broad building pro
gram According to the actual cost of
, such buildings i'm other cities, and the
| estimates OF modern school architects
! I'm this locality, twenty-rOom unit
school, designed in the simplest man.
ner, cannot be built and equipped for
/ less than $4,000 to 100000, and the
ground for building and playground
space would approximate 100000 addi-
/ tional. making a total cost OF $4,000
to 100000 ANY smaller unit than the
/ twenty-rOOm school has proved made
quate and unsuited to the needs OF
cities Of Wilmington's class, and
uneconomical to the taxpayers. With
the knowledge of these facts the false
premises upon which this 100000 bill
was based, the reasonableness of its
defeat by the Legislature is self-evi-
dent.
THE opposition Of the Board OF
Education group, represented by DR.
Cooper and President Baynard, oper
ating in conjunction with State Sen
ator Thomas f. GOrmley of the second
Senatorial District of Wilmington, de
feated the effective program covered
by Senate Bill SO, as prepared by thu
Citizens Committee and endorse,
throughout the city Of Wilmington
We feel it the duty of this COMMITTEE
J to. state these facts plainly to the pub
lie, that there may be no question a
to the cause which resulted in defeat
b ing the wishes OF a large majority o
, the citizens of this city.
1T is the belief OF this Committee
, and it is herewith recommended to al
the participating organizations, tina