Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-02
Board of Education Confers
on the Reelection Of
Supt. Thurston.
NO SUCCESSOR CHOSEN
AND NONE PROPOSED
Mr.. Thurston's Record and DR.. Van
Schaick's Memorandum-Lat-
ter's Reasons for Change.

members of the board of education was
held at the residence of Rev. DR.. John
Van Schaick, jr.. president of the board,
for the purpose Of discussing the ques-
tion Of the election of superintendent of
schools for a three-year term begin
ming July / next. Announcement Of this
fact has caused general surprise in
Washington. for no intimation had pre-
viously been given publicly that a
change in the superintendency was con-
templated. At the conference Monday
night 1t was disclosed that three mem
bers of the board were emphatically
favorable to the reelection of Supt.
Ernest L. Thurston, John B. Larner,
Ernest H. Daniel and William T. CALI
her. Those who expressed opposition
to Mr.. Thurston's reelection were Dr..
Van Schaick and Mrs. Susie Root
Rhodes. The other members of the
board. Mrs. Margarita Spalding Gerry.
Mrs. Coralie F. Cook, DR.. J. Hayden
johnson and Fountain Peyton. the
three last named of whom constitute
the colored membership of the board,
expressed themselves as unprepared to
announce their decision on the subject
OF the superintendent. The confer
ence adjurned to meet Thursday after
noon at the Franklin building. when 1t
Is expected that a decision may be
reached on the subject of Mr.. Thurs
ston's reelection.
No Specific Reason for a Change.
The opposition to Mr.. Thurston's re-
election for another term has arisen, it
appears. from no specific cause, but is
inspired by q feeling on the part of
those strongly favoring his displacement
that he IL lacking in initiative. As far as
known no other person has been select
ed or nominated as his successor by
those opposed to Mr.. Thurston Thus
the unusual situation presents itself
Of = movement to displace the present
superintendent. by denial Of reelection
two months before the expiration OF
his term. without his replacement by
mans of an election.
Ever ainee the changes in the per-
sonnel Of the board of education a year
ago. through which Dr.. Van schaick.
Mrs. Gerry and Mr.. Peyton were added
to the board. there have been rumors
OF 2 movement to effect the displace-
ment Of Mr.. Thurston by another super
fntendent. No definite action, however,
was taken toward this end until about
SIX Aeeks ago. when, after a series of
conferences. DR.. Van Schaick prepared
and sent to each member of the board
District Supreme Court-the court being
the power that appoints the members
OF the board-an extended statement,
covering his own position with regard
TO the superintendency. in which he de-
ciared that in his Judgment Mr.. Thurs
ton should be replaced by another man.
A copy of this statement was furnished
by DR.. Van Schaick to the superintend-
ent In order that he might rally his
friends to bring about his reelection
II that could be effected. This paper
secured wide circulation and caused an
intense agitation in the schools, among
the teachers and in those circles of
parents through which the word carried
that another administrative change was
contemplated in the school system. after
three years Of tranquility. the longest
period Of peace the schools have en-
3oyed for fully a dozen years.
Many Protests.
Since the time 1t became known that
a displacement of the superintendent
was contemplated by certain members
Of the board a quiet but earnest effort
has been made in his behalf by friends
and by those who believe the school
system to be more in need of freedom
from politics and change than of a
stronger and more initiative educa-
tional head. if such can be found. The
Board of Trade. the Central Labor
Union, the West End Citizens Assocta-
tion and other bodies, including parent-
teacher associations, have gone alreadv
on record protesting against any change
and urging the reelection Of NJ
Thurston. A flood of letters have
poured into the Franklin building in
protest. from those who have known
the more intimate facts of the situa-
tion- The sentiment among the schoo1
teachers Officers IA haa
virtually unanimously in favor OF the
reelection of the superintendent
DR.. Van Schaick's statement of reasons
against the reelection of Mr. Thurston
and his replacement by another man '1n ia
as follows: %
DR.. Van Schaick's Statement
Memorandum of the views Of n
Van schaick in regard to the position
of superintendent of public schools !,
the District of Columbia:
The term Of Supt Thurston vii,
pire on July l. The question as to his
reelection is before u.s.
Two views prevail. / will stat.
each view as fairly as I can. and then
have conference with you. If you de-
sire.
IT know that some members of ~
board have made up their minds thai
he ought to be reelected and that SONS
have made up their minds that another
man should be chosen.
I'm favor of the reelection of Mr..
Thurston the following considerations
have been urged:
Points in Thurston's Favor.
81. He Is a clean, honest man.
"2. He is familiar with our local sit-
uation.
"3. He is reasonably able, GROWING
and bound to do better.
-. He is progressive in his views
but conservative in action-an ide.
combination.