Evening journal., 1919-02-14
DR.. Cooper Opposes Mea-
sure for Smaller Board
of Education
NEED MORE MONEY,
MR.. MILLER ASSERTS
stan Correspondent.


the Board OF Education OF Wilmington
were discussed at a public hearing be-
fore the Education Committee OF the
Senate yesterday afternoon. The hear
ing was held in the Senate chamber
and presided over by Senator Robert
son, chairman OF the committee on
education of the Senate.
The Senator Robertson bill, which is
advocated by many organizations OF
Wilmington. OF which Charles Warner
is chairman, provides for the election
Of five members Of the board at large
and those five members TO select their
president. It also provides that this
board can prepare a budget the maxi
mum Of which is at the rate OF nine
mills on assessed valuation in the city
and which Council shall grant when
presented
Senator GoTnley's bill provides for
/ the election of members Of the board
by wards as at present and a president
to be elected at large which would
make a body Of thirteen,> the same as
at present The feature Of the Gormley
bill is that the board shall fix a mini
mum amount under a budget to run
/ the schools and that there shall be an
additional budget for additions and i'm
provements. Il also provides that the
additional budget cannot be allowed
unless a majority OF those voting at
the school election vote for the addi-
tional budget.
Senator Robertson as presiding oficer
OF the meeting stated that the purpose
was to hear arguments as to Senate
| Bills Nos "a and 90. which are the
Robertson and GOrmley bills. He called
on Charles Warner as the first speaker.
Mr.. Warner said he would talk princi-
pally on the Senator Robertson bill,
which he said many organizations OF
Wilmington had been studying for two
years. lie declared that 1900 children
Of Wilmington are interested in the
matter. The speaker declared that he
had no criticism TO make Of the present
board, but that there was objection 10
the method Of election, the system OF
conducting business and especially as
10 the financing Of the board.
Mr.. Warner then explained the fea-
lures Of the new bill and said 10 had
been carried out successfully in many
cities. As he was only allowed ten
minutes 10 present his argument he
had to restrict himself closely 90 just
the amendments that the bill carries
over the present system.
George B. Miller, president OF the
Board Of Education, was the next
speaker. He explained that under the
present system the board did not re
ceive enough money 10 give the school
children what they are entitled 10. and
pointed out that under the new bill the
school board could raise the necessary.
funds. "The people Of Wilmington vii!
have TO 90 down in their pockets and
pay more FOR the education OF their
children" he declared. He also pointed
out the DEFICIENCIES I'm the present school
system, such as the lack OF a kinder
garten, lack OF physical training and
medical examination. all OF which
would be provided when the funds are
available. He favored the smaller
board, declaring that business could De
more efficiently conducted by a small
board than by large one. He stated
that while he favOrs harbor improve
ments and other improvements, yet he
WAS for the children first. "They are
the best assets the State has" he de
clared, "and the better we take care or
them the better citizens they will
make"
In reply to Senator Gormley, AIr.
Miller stated that the board had not re-
ceiyed adequate funds from City Coun-
Gil. although that body had done the
best 1t could. He pointed out that the
revenue raised under the provisions OF
the bill would not come through City
Council. but would be raised By the
board itself
At the request Of Mr.. Miller, the
privilege OF the floor was then ex-
tended to DR.. Frank F. Bunker. superin-
tendent Of the National Bureau OF
Education at Washington, who quoted
statistics TO show that many cities
throughout the country were reducing
the size Of their school boards. and that
the average size was from five TO seven
He declared that reports from
various cities showed a tendency 90 .
two things, the changing OF large
boards into small boards and the cleo
tion At large lof the members instead Of
by wards. lie also stated that most
boards are granted final authority IN
the matter Of raising funds for school
purposes.
DR.. Thomas o. Cooper, a member Of
the school board, then opened the op-
position to the measure. He declared
that the first thought OF the board Is
for theNchildren, and 10 show that VII
schools are just as efficient as
the schools Of any other cities Of q
similar size. he called attention to the
fact that the graduates Of the Wi.
schools are accepted by any
college in the United States that ac-
cepts a high school diploma. lie also
pointed out that this satisfactory re-
-ff1f oht nfnad q rrrnnf dial lace
money than that expended by other
schools. He explained the work that
has been accomplished by the present
Board OF Education and pointed out
that II Il was permitted to raise more
money for school purposes, as the new
board il created would'be. that II could
also do more efficient work.
The Rev. J. u. King, Negro pastor Of
Ezion NJ. f. Church Of Wilmington,
spoke briefly on the rights Of the Negro
and their representation on the school
board, asking that their race be given
on the board.
Mrs. Alice Dunbar Nelson, FOR some
years teacher in the Howard High
school, stated to the committee that
the interest Of the Negro students OF
he city had been looked after 40 per
cent. better since tho race had a rep
'esentative on the board. She thought
hat with a Negro on the board the
ace would better looked after.
DR.. Banton, a member OF the Board
II Education. also thought the present
'ystem under which the Negro popula.
ion could possibly get one member OF
he board was better than the condi-
ions that would exist under the Senas