Evening star., 1919-04-09

-
that so far as it is concerned the
Recites History of Case.
The reply recites the history of the
that Miss Wood was summoned to a
private conference rather than before
a formal trial board because it was
felt that the facts warranted only
disciplinary action. A private con-
ference was held instead Of a trial.
it is explained. in order that the
board might hear Miss Woods side of
the controversy fully before ordering
trial.
After hearing the teacher, the reply
continues, the board decided the facts
did not warrant formal hearing, but
that there was sufficient evidence Of
indiscretion in the statements Miss
Wood is alleged to have made in dis
cussing current topics to justify dis
ciplinary action in the form of a
one-week suspension.
Says Acted Within the Law.
The board stated that it is advised
it acted within the law as set forth
in the organic act in administering
disciplinary action on Miss Wood after
the investigation without formal trial
The board suggested that if the teach
ers still felt that this procedure was
unfair it could be remedied by new
lsx.s.'Iss Es g Gsesrsss soTnss il. teacher.
that pending such Legislation OF a
contrary decision from the courts it
would stand by its action in the case:
The reply vent to the High School
Teachers Union. the Grade Teachers
Union and the High School Teachers
Association.
Miss Alice Deal, president of the High
had time to study the reply closely. but
she authorized the following statement
on the boards suggestion in regard to
the provisions of the law:
Miss DeaHs Statement.
1--WE think it is not necessary to OBJ
tain additional legislation from Con-
gress to insure justice to a teacher as
guaranteed her under the present or
ganic act.
Section 10 of the organic act states
When a teacher is on trial or being in
veStigated he or she shall have the right
to be attended by counsel and by at least
one friend o. his or her selection
Board rule No. ~ interprets this
mentioned in section 10. shall refer to
an investigation made by the board
or a proper committee thereof or by
some officer or other person acting
under authority of the board or such
committee. The right of attendance
or counsel and friend shall be con-
strued to exist at the first stage of
the investigation or trial at which the
party involved is formally accused" ."
Will Plan Next Step.
Miss Deal said the executive COM
mittee of her organization will meet
tomorrow afternoon to decide on the
next step to be taken in the affair.
In answer to the statement of the
board that Miss Wood made no ap-
peal from the boards action in sus-
Miss Wood authorized the union to
take up the case for her and that she
was present at the meetings of the
union when action was decided on.
The board says in its reply that it
is aware of the law that meetings of
the board shall be open to the pub
lie, but defends the right OF MEM
bers of the board to hold private con-
ferences prior to board meetings.
An interesting feature in the boards 8
answer is the announcement that il
is in favor of the plan to have COM
mittees representing the teachers to
confer with the school authorities
twice a year, in May and December,
on questions of general policy af-
fecting the teachers.
Board of Education Replies.
The reply of the board is as fol-
your letter of protest and request
of March 81 was duly received.
while the board considers that its
communication, through its president;
made in reply to your inquiry OF
of its action in regard to Miss WOOD
and of the grounds upon which such
action was based. it now desires, IN
view of the many inaccuracies OF
statement and conclusion contained
in YOUR communication of March 81, TO
submit the following and more de-
tailed statement of all matters that
entered into the suspension or MISS
Wood. This course is deemed especiai-
ly advisable in view OF the Wlde-
spread publication of charge and
criticism against the board without
publication of the boards letter to
YOU of March %. which contained the
grounds upon which its direction In
the premises was based.
'EaTly IN FEBRUARY tHice pdi cheS VI
pupils in Miss Woods class in the
Western High School addressed let
ters to DR. Newton. principal of said
school, complaining of Miss Woods
discussion and instruction upon Ger
tain subjects, and their complaint in
the boards letter to you of March %
was summarized as follows:
.'Indiscreet discussion before young
pupils of present international con-
ditions, social and political; her de-
fense of bolshevism; her offer to in
struct boys on the subject out of
class; her advice to them to read GER
tain named magazines which would
give the other and correct side of the
aims and precects Of that form Of
government; her advanced idea on the
subject of individual direction. and
that such instruction was impressed
upon immature youth with that add
ed weight which a teachers instruc-
tion clwavs carries