The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-07-20
VAN SCHA|CK
PLANS TOEND
SCHOOL ROWS
Calls Special Meeting of Board
to Settle Problems Before
New Term Begins.

Believing the school situation n
Washington demands attention by the
board before the start Of school this
fall, DR.. John Van Schaick. jr., newly
elected president OF the board, has
called a special session of the school
officials for this month.
DR.. Van Schaick's decision to take
up the hnal settlement of the various
school controversies Immediately is
told in q letter received by Miss Alice
Deal from New York State, where DR..
Van Schaick is spending his vacation.
81 will return to Washington some
time this month, and call a session of
the Board of Education immediately s.
stated DR.. Van Schaick in his letter.
When the school board elections
were held last month, the board de-
cided to adjourn until September. I'M
less convened by DR.. Van Schaick.
Plans Net Outlined.
Although DR.. Van Schaick has not
outlined the measures to be taken
up. it is believed an effort will be
made at the first meeting to bring
all conflicting factors in the school
situation together to effect some
amicable understanding.
The teachers council. which was
created by the Board of Education
several weeks ago. will also receive
attention by the board immediately
after DR.. Van Schaick's return. it lie
expected.
While all the members Of the
teachers council have been elected,
NJ II
Is known that DR.. Van Schaick is
especially anxious to call a confer
ence OF the board and the teachers
council to discuss school policies.
The High School and Grade School
Teachers unions, as well as the High
School Teachers association. are pre-
pared to make several requests for q
change in school policies. which, IL
granted, will result in drastic changes
in the method OF governing the
Washington schools
Brace Case to BE Taken Up.
1t is also predicted that the Bruce
case will come up for attention by
the board this month.
The Bruce case is considered the
most important Of the school contro-
versies at this time. mainly because
the opponents OF the colored assist
ant superintendent of school are de-
termined to take from $4,000 to 10000
colored school children out of the
public schools this fall and place them
in private schools in colored churches
unless Bruce is removed.
Possibility OF renewal OF the tight
to remove Ernest l.. Thurston, super
intendent Of schools, continues to be
one of the main topics Of discussion
in school circles.
Rumors that DR.. Van Schaick, who
led q night against Superintendent
Thurston before he went to France to
do relief work during the War, will
renew the fight.
During the previous tight against
Mr.. Thurston, the teachers favored the
The opposite is now
true. Organized labor is supporting
the teachers unions, and with the
Parents League, would Constitute a
powerful public influence.
other Conferences Planned.
The meeting which DR.. Van Schaick
has decided to call for this month is
expected to be followed by other con-
ferences.
A decision in the case Of Miss Alice
Wood. the Western High School teach
er suspended for her handling Of
economic questions. is expected from
Justice Hitz, Of the District Supreme
Court, before the LIST OF August.
Officials OF the teachers unions pre-
dict that the action Of the board sus-
pending Miss Wood will be rescinded
by the Supreme Court decision.