Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1919-01-28

degraded condition in which we find
| some phases of our public school work and
| equipment at this time.
''2. With respect to the manner G..
election and size Of board we regret
to find some difference Of opinion among
your own members affecting the changes
which we have suggested We had hoped
on this second fundamental issue To
have had united agreement with you
instead OF finding some members of your
committee for, and some against, those
recommendations made by our committee,
following our extended study of this
problem. However, we are hopeful that
rs the subject progresses in its public
discussion, We can all eventually unite
upon the principle of smaller board
all of the members of which should be
elected at large,
We realize that in some sections OF
our city there may be found n feeling
that the citizen believes he can have
u better school system for the education
of his children through such ward
elected board But there are so many
sections of our city which are so lily
provided with school buildings and
equipment, as you are well aware, which
conditions have existed for years, that
it is well to note the practical expert
encc in many other CITIES throughout
the United States In these cities we
find that the change from the ward sys-
tenn TO the city large election method
has promptly brought about n study
on the part of TIE whole board of the
sections provided with the poorest school
facilities, so as TO bring up the standards
of education uniformly throughout the
city.
This result obtained in the election
at-largc system has been proven IN so
many cities that If would appear to meet
any reasonable criticism hat the ward
system provides a method of better
attention to the interests of specific
districts We therefore urge rs prc-cm
ncntly important the establishment of
a board elected at large, each member
uf which Is responsible to all sections
Of the city ut all times
we are pleased TO advise you, after
submitting these principles back to the
81 organizations Of our city, whose dele
gates constitute the City Committee
on Public Schools, that we have within
the week secured actions Of endorse
ncnt from "a, the names Of which are
shown on the attached list There has
50 far been no rejection of the recommCn-
dations prepared by tho City Committee
on Public Schools, and We are waiting
to hear the action Of the other orcanI-
cations making up the comm ittcc as
rapidly rs they are able 10 consider the
principles in the now act
The organizations that have 50 far in
durscd the Ell arc as follows Chan Ter
of Commerce Central Labor mon.
Jewish Community, Polish Community,
Rotary Club, Young Mems Christian
ASSOCIATION. Wilmington high School
Alumni, Juvenile Court Association.
Young Womcn's Christian Association,
Social Service Club Junior League of
Wilmington. City Federation OF Colorcd
Women. Church Club Of Delaware.
Westminster Club. Hanover Church
ST James Brotherhood ST Andrew
Mems Club, Mems Club Of linn. uucl
Church. NomarS Committee. Council
of Defense, Delaware Association of
College Women | nifty Club, Consumers
League New Century Club, Daughters
Of American Revolution, Wilmington
Section, Council Of Jewish Women
WHAT NEW BILL PROVIDES.
The new bill provides
For Board 81 Education Of FIVE mem
bcrs. elected At large, having absolute
control of the schools and their manage
mcnt
For he board purchasing land, building
schools, cquippmg them. sc
For A secretary, superintendent and
other employees to serve At the pleasure
of tho board
For the election az the fvc members at
large next June, the two RECEIVING the
highest number OF votes TO serve four
year and the other three two years;
their successors to bc elected for four
wears terms, ill members 10 hc NJ least
20 years old and resident Of the city
three wears; the members 70 serve with
out pay.
For the removal by the board Of any
Of its members who are derelic in their
duties or who do anything dlscreditahle
That women frechoiders may vote for
members.
That the board may borrow for school
improvements, up to one-half Of per cent
Of tie city assessment
That the board shall receive all ot the
money collected for school taxes. based on
il budget v hich shall not exceed 9 mills
on the dollar