The Washington herald., 1919-04-10
viii Not Grant an Open
Hearing to Miss Alice
Wood.
MAY SEEK COURT AID
Unions Consider Mandamus
Proceedings to Force
Free Speech Issue.

High School Teachers Union, and
Miss Clara Stutz, president of the
Grade School Teachers Union, the
Board of Education yesterday re-
fused to grant an open hearing to
Miss Alice Wood, who several weeks
ago was suspended for her manner
OF handling a discussion on econom-
les arising in her high school class
room
Mandamus proceedings to force a
hearing may be instituted by the
union.
The board made a concession by
declaring in the letter that the ap-
pointment OF q committee of I'VE to
discuss school questions with the
board would meet with favor. This
is an acceptance of the principle of
the teachers council, which is beire
organized in Washington.
Penalty to stand.
This course of explanation is
deemed especially advisable in view
Of the widespread publication of
charges and criticism against the
board without a publication OF the
boards letter of March ., which con-
tained the grounds upon which its d.
rection in the premises was based"
the open letter to Miss Deal and Miss
Stutz ran.
Early in February three parents OF
pupils in Miss Woods class in the
Western High School addressed let
tsrs to DR.. Newton, principal of West
ern High School, complaining of Miss
Woods discussion and instruction
upon certain subjects.
Lengthy explanation followed. de-
scribiing a personal interview with
Miss Wood. at which the superin-
tendent and two members of the
board were present to ascertain IL
there were any real ground for the
complaint.
On the conclusion of this report
the board decided that conditions
did not call for a formal investiga-
tion or trial, but were such as to be
met by the discipline of a short time
suspension.
The following explanation was
made IN regard to the private ses-
sion of the board:
The board is fully aware of the
provision of law requiring all board
meetings to be open to the public,
and will state that all board meet
Ings are open to the public, but
all meetings are, or may be, pre-
ceded by conferences, of board mem
bers. and this is essential for use
full and sound board direction. Citi-
zens and committees ask to come
before the board informally, and
there are complaints against offi-
GERS, teachers and conditions. which,
upon inquiry. are found to be abso-
lutely groundless, but which, II dis
cussed or even mentioned in open
meeting, would be detrimental to
persons and destructive to the good
order of the system.
To inquire informally into such
conditions preliminary to board inves-
tigation-if board investigation should
be required-and 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
a necessary part Of useful direction
a discretionary power Is a necessary
incident to the control vested by law
in the Board of Education"
When this order was communicated
by the superintendent to Miss Wood
she acknowledged its receipt, and
stated that, following the instruc-
tlOnS contained IN IL, sne would re-
main out of class until the following
Thursday.
Incident Closed.
In conclusion the letter read:
AS stated. the board considers
that the Wood incident is a closed
one, and. therefore, ut does not be-
lieve that the hearing asked for
would be useful. In this connec-
ton, however, it desires to say that
it recognizes the desirability of
sometime communication between
board and representatives of the
teachers of all the schols. and pro-
poses to establish by rule the op-
portunity for a committee of FIVE,
representing the teachers of the
white high schools. and like COM
mittees representing respectively
the teachers of the white grade and
colored high and grade schools, who
shall meet with the board for the
purpose of discussing the matters OF
general policy and direction. in May
and December of each year.
These committees to be representa-
tive of all the teachers, respectively,
of the white high ard grade and the
colored high and grade schools, and
Z -. Ii. H. L.