Evening star., 1919-04-09

to systematize the order of business
for open meetings. these conferences
are, and have been, had. and are In
the opinion of the board permitted
! by law. and constitute necessary
, part of useful direction-a discre-
! dent to the control vested by law In
the board of education.
when this order was communl- :
Gated by the superintendent to MISS
Wood she acknowledged it's receipt.
and stated that following the instruc-
tions contained in it. she would re-
main out of class until the following
Thursday. and that upon her return
she would scrupulously obey the re-
quests of the board. and this iine OF
conduct she has admirably pursued
in all Of her communications with the
board.
Miss Wood Makes No Protest.
Miss Wood made no protest. no
request for a formal hearing and no
appeal. and. so far as the board is
advised, acted in all respects in ac-
cordance with her statement made
to the superintendent and above re-
ferred to. The action of the board
thus seems TO have been accepted by
Miss Wood and questioned onE by
others.
The board is advised and believes
that its action was not only il ac-
cordance with the law. but IN ''c-
cordance with useful and proper
board, direction. and. so far as the
board is concerned, the incident is a
closed one.
IF the board is wrong in its inter
probation of the law and of its au-
thority under the law, II Will ne
pleased to be Instructed by the court
if the law is wrong in Placing 100
large authority and discretion In tho
board, Congress may remedy the iault'
Until otherwise directed. however
by Congress or the courts. the board
will continue its present interpre-
tation and direction.
The board throughout intended TO.
and believes that it did act for the
best interests of the s-sem and 10 TIE
benefit of Miss Wood and certainly
did not wish and endeavored in It's
action to prevent. any unnecessary
Wood.
Takes Up Question of Patriotism.
THE question of patriotism did not
enter into the boards conclusion: If
so a formal investigation and trial
would have been deemed necessary
1T was based upon what the board be-
lieves a serious indiscretion in the
course of class duty made more hurt
iui ny tHt COuuitl'ic ii NhS
public mind regarding the subject Of
discussion, and the fact that this dis
cussion was had at this time and be-
fore pupils of immature age.
The board of education does not,
and has never. directly. or through
from debating or discussing any issue
or issues among themselves. 1t has
no objection to the discussion of is
sues by the teachers. provided there
s< ~ inc
to interpret those issues sound
basis of understanding and training.
1T is, however. fair to assert that in
ithe minds of the board partisan
seriously by pupils. especially when
such statements are based upon more
or less transient opinions. have no
+ The first duty of the board is to
iendeavor to maintain a useful and
safe course of instruction for the
mary mary Object Of the system. At the
same time the board knows that the
child's welfare is largely dependent
inpon the ability. efficiency and dis
cretion of the teachers, and the well
fare and protection of the teachers
has always been the desire and aim
of the board. and a record of its
actions and direction from the date
Deftion.
- .As stated. the board considers that
the Wood incident is q closed one, and
therefore, IL does not believe that the
hearing asked for would be useful. In
this connection. however. it desires to
say that it recognizes the desirabiiity
OF sometime communication between the
board and Representatives Of the teach
ers Of all the schools. and proposes to
establish by rule the opportunity for a
committee of nve, representing the
teachers OF the white high schools, and
like committees representing respective
ly the teachers of the white grade and
colored high and grade schools, who
shall meet with the board for the pur-
pose Of discussing the matters of zen
eraI policy and direction, in May and
December Of each year. These COM
mittees to be representative of all the
teachers respectively Of the white high
and grade and the colored high and
grade schools. and in this connection the
board Of education is Of the opinion that
cooperation between the board and the
teachers would be materially aided by
fhe ipcluRinr af al tAocharo -