The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-19

High School Teachers Association,
would make no comment, other than
to state that his organisation had
never been opposed to Mr.. Thurstcn-
Miss Alice Deal. prssfdent of the
High School Teachers Union, and
Miss Maude Alton, president OF the
Grade school TeacheFs Union, stated
today that neither sffi'on hsd- ever
gone on record as opposing the prcs-
ent superintendent ~F.
Some time ago the Board of Educa-
tino formulated a plan Of reorganiza-
ton for the public school system.
This plan was made public and the
teachers seemed to oppose II. DR.. Van
Schaick called a general meeting OF
all the teachers at the Central High
School to explain this plan. When
the teachers gathered he addressed
them. His address apparently did not
meet with the approval of the
teachers.
After DR.. Van Schaick had finished
his address, Mr.. Thurston was called
upon to speak. The superintendent
was not a, bit backward in telling the
teachers that he was vigorously OPP
posed to the Board Of Education's re-
organization plan. Upon this an
nouncement there were several rounds
Of applause indicating the teachers
were behind the superintendent on
his stand in this matter. This has
happened on several other occasions.
Sensations Expected.
The Bruce case, the High School
Teachers Union. and the High School
Teachers Association, and the Grade
School Teachers Union purbably will
be injected into the latest school con-
troversy. following tn. letter from
DIR. Van Schaick to Thurston telling
be reelected head of the schools
when his term expires in June.
or late members OF the Board of
Education have been making a prac-
tice of holding "informal confer
ences" to discuss the school situation.
1t was at one of these informal
conferences that it was decided to
inform Mr.. Thurston that he had bet
ter look for another job. These con.
ferences seem to be one method OF
getting around the law, which pro-
vides that all meetings OF the Board
OF Education shall be held publicly.
The practice in the past has been to
discus matters affecting the public
In the secret conference preceding
the public meeting. BY doing this the
board has an opportunity to decide
not to discuss matters openly which
1t does not wish the public to learn
OF.
Sensational revelations of methods
OF the Board of Education may be
made as a result of the boards action
In sending to Ernest l.. Thurston.
superintendent of schools, a "curt"
note which in effect Informed the su-
perintendent he was not wanted in
the District public school system.
Thurston to bring Expose.
"Tn have something to predict at
the next board meeting-yes, and
probably at the one following that"
was the statement made by the su-
perintendent this morning.
Superintendent Thurston admitted
today that the action OF the board
came unexpectedly. He said he had
no intimation whatever OF any such
action. and added he would see that
the public learned the truth about the
entire situation.
New candidates for the job will be-
gin to loom upSi a few days. Among
these who are expected to be promi-
nent, candidates for the superintend-
ency are stephen II. Kramer. assist
ant superintendent of schools, and
Emory Wilson, principal of Central
High School.
The Board of Education may seek
man outside OF the school system,
but this is hardly considered likely. 4
Decision to notify Mr.. Thurstvn
that the majority members of the
board did not favor his reelection
next June was made at an "inforrnol
conference" held In the home OF d.
Van Schaick last Monday night. At
this meeting the members OF thc
board present drew up a letter which
was delivered to Superintendent Thurs