The Washington times., 1919-04-09

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 m
vestigation-if board investigation
should be required. and to systema-
tize the order of business for open
meetings-these conferences are, and
have been, had, and are, in the opin-
ion OF the board, permitted by law
and constitute a necessary part OF
useful direction-a discretionary pow
er is a necessary incident to the con-
troll vested by law in the Board OF
Education.
When this order was communicat-
ed by the superintendent to MiSs
Wood she acknowledged its receipt
and stated that, following the in
structions contained in 1t, she would
remain out of class until the follow
ing Thursday, and that upon her re-
turn she would scrupulously obey the
requests of the board, and this line
OF conduct she has admirably pur-
sued in all of her communications
with the board.
Made No Protest.
Miss Wood made no protest. no re-
quest for a formal hearing, and no
appeal and, so far as the board is
advised, acted in all respects in ac-
cordance with her statement made to
the superintendent and above refer
red to. The action of the board thus
seems to have been accepted by Miss
Wood questioned only by others.
The board is, advised and believes
that its action was not only in ac-
cordance with the law but in accord
ance with useful and proper board
direction, and so far as the board is
concerned the incident is a closed
one.
If the board is wrong in its inter-
probation of the law and of its au-
thority under the law, II will be
pleased to be instructed by the court;
IL the law is wrong in placing a too
large authority and discretion in the
board Congress may remedy the fault.
Until otherwise directed. however, by
'CcGsress or the courts. the board will
continue its present Interpretation and
direction.
The board throughout intended to,
and believed that it did, act for the
best interests OF the system and to the
benefit Of Miss Wood. and certainly
did not wish, and endeavored in its
action to prevent. any unnecessary
publication ore detriment to Miss
Wood.
The question OF patriotism did not
enter the boards conclusions: IL so a
formal investigation and trial would
have been deemed necessary. 1t was
based upon what the board believes
a serious indiscretion in the course of
class duty, made more hurtful by the
conditions existing in the public mind
regarding the subject iof discussion
and the fact that this discussion was
had at this time and before pupils of
immature age.
The Board of Education does not,
and has never, directly, or through
any of its officers, prohibited pupils
from debating or discussing any is
sue or issues among themselves. 1t
has no objection to the discussion OF
issues by the teachers, provided there
is on the part of those endeavoring
to interpret those issues a sound
basis of understanding and training.
II is, however, fair to assert that in
the minds Of the Board partisan
statements, likely to be considered
seriously by pupils, especially when
such statements are based upon more
or less transient opinions. have no
place in school instruction.
The first duty of the board is TO
endeavor to maintain useful and safe
course Of instruction for the children.
and their welfare is the primary OBJ
Ject OF the system. At the same fine
the board knows that the child's wei
fare is largely depeH ent upon the
welfare and II'otection pf the teachers
has always been the esire and aim
OF the board, and a re4ord OF its ac-
tions and direction from the date OF
the Organic Act is proof OF this as
sertion.
Incident Is Closed.
AS stated, the board considers that
the Wood incident is a closed one,
and, therefore. il does not believe
that the hearing asked for would be
useful. In this connection, however,
il desires TO say that il recognizes
the desirability of sometime COM
munication between the board and
representatives of the teachers of all
the schools. and proposes to establish
by rule the opportunity for a COM
mittee Of five, representing the teach
ers Of the white high schools, and
like committees representing respect
lively 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 and grade and the
cOlored high and grade schools. and
in this connection the Board of Edu-
cation is Of the opiniO nthat Coop
Grafton between the board and the
teachers would be materially aided
by the inclusion Of all teachers in one
distinct professional organization.
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.