The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-06-04
COUNCIL PLAN
Of TEACHERS
Up IN BOARD
Long Fight of Educators Union
For Recognition May Be
Ended Today.

The formation of q teachers coun-
ell to act in advisory capacity TO the
Board Of Education. will be consid-
cred at the board meeting this at
ternoon, it was learned today from
an authoritative source of informa-
ton. This may end the fight the
High School and Grade School Teach
ers' Unions have waged for the
past several months. The controversy
has been based almost entirely upon
demands OF the teachers for recog-
milton OF their rights by the forma-
ton Of a teachers council.
The fight began with the suspen-
sion of Miss Alice Wood from Western
High School without q hearing for
her discussion of current topics,
among them Bolshevfsm, in the class
room
Declaring this action contrary to
justice and the principles Of Ameri-
canism, the teachers unions, stating
that the board had by its action ere
ated precedent, started their campaign
against the board.
Now Before Supreme Court.
Miss Woods case is now in the
District Supreme Court, and the
judges have ordered the board mem
bers to present reasons why Miss
Woods petition for the resembling Of
the order suspending her should not
be granted.
Labor organizations in the District
are supporting the teachers unions,
and together with the latter have
named Miss Alice Deal, president of
the High School Teachers Union. as
a candidate for the Board of Educa-
ton TO succeed one Of the members re-
firing this month.
Action has also been taken by the
teachers to form q committee to re-
write the school laws OF the District,
as part Of the campaign for revision
Of public education in Washington.
Members OF the two unions say they
understand Congress will take the.
proposed new school laws under con-
sideration as soon as they have. been
prepared by the committees from the
teachers unions.
Under the plan proposed by the
teachers unions the council will be
made up of representatives appointed
by the teachers themselves and will
act in an advisory capacity to the
board.
Say II VIII Aid Cooperation.
The teachers point out that a
teachers council will tend to create a
spirit OF cooperation between the
teachers and the board, which, admit
tedly, has been lacking heretofore.
They say the viewpoint of the teach
ers under the teachers council plan
will be presented more broadly to the
board, so that the frequent clashes
which now take place through mis-
Understandings may be avoided.
In discussing the plan Of the board
to take up the teachers council plan,
the teachers declare they will not in
dorse the organization of a council
without being consulted as to its per-
sonnet
Under the plan Of council as pro-
posed by the teachers, the appointive
powers will be vested IN the teachers
themselves, and not in the board. The
express their willingness
either to elect their representatives to
the council, or have them appointed
by the three teachers organizations.
VIII RevOIutIoni1e System.
Both board members and tie teach
ers' unions believe the appointment Of
a teachers council will revolutionize
the educational system now existing
in the public schools of Washington
Changes which have long been aG-
yocated by the teachers will be
brought more directly to the attention
Of the board. while the teachers who
are more thoroughly acquainted with
the needs Of the schools than lay
will be able, it is predicted, |
TO improve. through thei- |
advice to the board, the educational |
facilities Of the local schools.
There was no indication, prelimi- |
nary to the meeting Of the board to- |
day. whether vote on the teachers
council would be taken at the meet |
ing or not. The teachers are hopeful. |
however. OF a final decision being
made TODAY