Evening journal., 1919-01-28
SCH.OL BOARD
BALKS ON five
man BODY PLAN
fcontInued from page ons.l

were reported on the sick list, and 1t
is thought that some OF them might
have been In favor OF the recommenda-
tions. Or. Banton and George homnel
were on the special committee IN ad-
dtlon TO Mr.. Souder. DR.. Banton nad
been In favor OF the recommendations,
but changed his mind. he said, on real.
lzing that a change 10 an election OF
1--WE members at large would cut out
all the chances OF the colored citizens
OF having a representative on the
school board.
A motion put by Mr.. Souder TO ap-
prove the recommendations Of the city
committee did not receive a second. A
motion to receive and note the COM
munlcation from the city committee
was passed. and was the only action
taken upon the communication by the
board.
The, law committee, Edwin r. Den
ney. chairman. sprang a surprise upon
the members fayOrlng the city commit
tees proposed bin by reading a pro-
posed bin which the law COMMITTEES
OF the school board recommended 10
be placed before the State Legislature
n place OF the city committee bill.
When the bill was presented to the
board by Mr.. Denney, President Miller
remarked that Il was the understand
Ing that the president Of the Board OF
Education should be asked 10 attend
all committee meetings ex-ofilcio.'
II was not informed OF this meeting
or asked TO attend" said President
Miller.
mo. you were not" was the curt
comment OF Mr.. Denney.
The bill was then read, and, upon
motion OF Mr.. Denney, seconded by
DR.. Thomas o. Cooper, was passed
with one dissenting vote, that OF Mr..
Souder.
u voted against this bill" said Mr..
Souder. because OF the irregularity Of
the proceeding: because the president
OF the board was not accorded the
courtesy OF an Invitation 10 the com
mlttee meeting"
The communication from the City
Committee follows:
January 27. 1919.
president and Members Of Board OF
Education. Wilmington, Delaware.
Gentlemen I'VE wish TO hand you
herewith fourteen copies Of an Act TO
amend the present law respecting the
organization and control OF the public
schools in the city Of Wilmington. This
Act has been prepared after extended
effort on the part Of our committee,
and embodles the Views OF the City
Committee on Public Schools respect
ing mod flcatlons In the manner OF
election, form or organization and
financial rights and practices OF the
Board OF Education. This Is the work
in which we have been greatly aided
by the friendly cooperation OF your
board and a committee therefrom.
1T has been very gratifying to us TO
have complete concurrence with your
committee on a number OF the funda-
mental points which were brought up
for consideration, and we sincerely
trust that after your complete review
OF this Act we may all be In accord
on all points upon which we recon-
mend that changes be enacted.
"The change In the present law as
presented by the new Act herewith at
tached. cover two main and funda-
mental questions involved In the ad-
mnlstratlon OF public schools.
#. Finances. covering the authority
and responsibility Of the Board Of Edu-
cation pertaining TO all Of It's financial
operations.
"2 Organization, pertaining TO the
form and manner Of election, the size
OF the board, etc.
Under the FIRST head, that Of
finances, there has apparently develop
ed no question Of difference between
your committee and our committee, so
far as we are aware. In the bill you
VIII see that we have adopted the
modern form Of financial responsibility
now accepted as the best practice
throughout the United States, and
strongly recommended by the U. S.
Bureau Of Education in its reports on
public school administration.
I'VE strongly favor that the Board OF
Education should be solely. fully and
directly responsible 10 the citizens oi
Wilmington for establishing It's own
budget and In expendlng the funds re.
ceived from such special tax levy foi
the purpose OF producing a fully de.
veloped. modern school system for the
city OF Wilmington.
I'VE favor this exclusive responsible
lty In the hands OF the Board Of Educa
tion because we agree with the broad
principle that the proper and full i'm
provement in the education Of our
citizens. young and old. Is. broadl!
speaking. a State function and Of sucl
Importance 10 the safe and modern de
yelopment Of a democracy to give 10 al
OF our children their fullest opportu
J nifty in:their life's work, that In no wis
should the financing Of public school
be treated comparatively or from th
J same viewpoint as the financing neces
sary for strictly city departments, sucl
as parks, streets. sewers, water, etc.
"In this connection we wish, how
ever. to state that we are In no wis
rejecting upon the actions and polio
of the City Council Of Wilmington 4
their past consideration and restric
lions upon budgets Issuing from th
BOARD of Education When an educa
tlonal budget has been treated side b
side with the budgets for the conduc
of the usual municipal departments.
creates a situation that has been foun
throughout the world to be a syster
! which seriously restricts the funda
mental educational advancement Of th
community.
aTherefore, as stated. our. decision
this matter is in no wise criticism
Clty Council Of our city. but belief !
the broad principle that the system u
self is wrong and In part accounts 10
] the present seriously degraded coma
ton in which we find some phases Q
our public school work and equipmen
at this time. y.
I'VE believe that the statutory limit
fbaF ~. rI,nod ,.non the finanCi9