Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-16
ASKS DISMISSAL
OF TEACHERS SUIT
Education Board Answers
Plea for MandamuS Filed
by Miss Alice Wood.

The board of education, in an an
swer filed in the District Supreme
Court today. asks the court to dismiss
the suit of Miss Alice Wood. West
ern High School teacher, who was sus-
pended for n week by the board for
alleged indiscreet statements about
bolshevism.
Miss Wood sued for a writ of man
damus setting aside the boards sus-
pension. The answer was filed by
Assistant Corporation Counsel
stephens. 1t bore the signature of all
members of the board except Coralie
F. Cook. a colored member. who was
out of the city, and Mrs. Susie Root
Rhodes
When the school board was con-
sidering n request of Miss Wood sew
her case Mrs. Rhodes was the only
member who voted against resolu-
ton not to reopen the matter.
Rev. DIR. John Van Schaick is not
made a party to the suit because he
was not back from Europe at the
time of Miss Woods suspension.
Miss Wood Cites Rule.
In her petition Miss Wood cited
rule 20 of the school system. which
provides for public trials for teachers
before dismissal
In it's answer the board admits ex-
istence of this rule. but say that the
action taken against the petitioner
was not based on rule ~. but was
under the authority and discretion
contained in the organic act Of 1906
and incident to the power. control and
direction conferred in said act and
upon rules IS. So and 70.
The board quotes rule So as follows:
1.-THE president of the board of educa-
ton shall be authorized to suspend
temporarily any employe OF the
schools for cause, subject to report in
writing to the board of education at it's
next regular or special meeting. Any
person under suspension by order of
the president of the board of education
may appeal to the board at it's regular
or special meeting. The grounds Of
appeal shall be stated in writing and
shall be filed with the secretary of the
board at least twenty-four hours prior
to the meeting"
Also Quotes Rule 70.
The board also quotes rule 10, which
reads:
THE violation of any of the rules
of the board Of education; disobedi-
ence or neglect of the orders Of those
in authority; any, other ofrenses
against morality or good order; or in
ability to perform satisfactorily the
duties of his position on the part of
any employee Of the board, shall be,
any or all of them, considered cause
for suspension by the president Of the
board of education, or dismissal by
the board. The suspension of any en-
ploye shall extend only to the next
meeting, regular or special, of the
board of education. unless otherwise
ordered by the board
The board takes occasion in it's an
swer to defend its custom Of holding
private conferences preceding It's
public meetings.
Makes an Admission.
The board admits that the resolu-
ton suspending Miss Wood for a
week was considered in it's conference
on March 10. preceding the public
meeting. and that such conferences
have for years invariably preceded
the board meetings and are a neces-
sary incident to board direction in
order that matters. affecting especial
ly the character of teachers, should
not be brought into public meeting
meeting might be systematized.
In answer to another paragraph of
Miss Woods suit, the board replied
that there Is no requirement by law
or rule that a suspension OF this ma
ture. directly made by the board,
should be on the written recommen-
dation of the superintendent.
The board sets forth that Miss Wood
was fully advised that complaints
had been made Of her conduct in the
classroom and that she was fully ad-
vised that the board Of education was
asking her to explain these COM
plants and was endeavoring to as
certain what was said and done by
her and her attitude toward certain
public questions.
Not Regarded as ION Trial"
In answering the contention Of Miss
Wood that she did not know when
she was summoned to q conference
with members of the school board
that she was to be put on trial, the
board states that 1t did not consider
that petitioner was on trial or being
Investigated in the sense that said