The Washington times., 1920-01-07
BOARD TO AID
SCHOOL MOVE
Or. Van Schaiok Indorses Pro-
gram Proposed by Better
ment Committee.


aetterment committee, representing
seven OF the most prominent pistriet
organizations, DIR. John Van schaiek'
tr., president of the Board OF Educa-
tion, at a luncheon at the Cosmos
Club given today by the committee
said the board Ia ready to delay It's
reorganization plan II IL will In any
way help Immediately to improve
school conditions.
aaThe board recognizes that II can
not get the legislation needed with.
out the help OF the citizens, saio
DR.. Van Schaick. 1t therefore places
at the service OF the committee All It's
resources and welcomes cooperation.
Especially is the trained business
experience OF your body needed In oe-
Gliding the amounts the community
can AFFORD to pay in salary increases
and In shaping a building program
for the next Ave years to meet tnt
needs of the entire community. The
board welcomes this opportunity 10
make clear to the committee tho gen
sraI misunderstanding OF the ATTITUDE
Of the board on reorganization
Fundnme tails Required.
The fundamental things of reor-
ranization demanded by the board ap-
pear in the program OF the commit
tee.
"a business manager for the
schools, with an adequate iorcs oi az
countants and clerks.
"Abolition of present salary CLASSES
In the grade schools and system
by which teachers can be placed In
the grade for which they are best
atted and given salary increases
without passing to other grades IN
stalled. This makes possible q higner
type of ability in the primary de-
partment and a more efficient adjust
ment all around. We accept with
gratitude your statement that this Is
already included In object one' ana
also the principle OF the same saiAIy
for grade and high school teachers
possessing the same quaiincatons'
"No Board Of Education would oe
ar 10 hold office an hour II II per-
mitted a difference OF opinion on
Iosser matters of reorganization TO
endanger the success OF this great
what Board Favor.
"The board Is on record as favoring
these other things: .s.
"Lengthening of the course OF the
normal schools;
"More assistant superintendents;
..Substitution Of group principals
for supervising principals;
IA personnel committee subject 10
the Superintendent to study grieV-
ances and keep up morale.
"A permanent board OF eAaHi'nos
free from other duties.
Substitution OF head teachei'
heads of departments.
"All these things and other minor
changes were included in the priet
To the Joint commission on reciassih-
cation submitted at it's reQuest. IN
oreparing that brief the boaro hau
tbe' help of the superintendent OF
schools. who indorsed every cnahse :
suggested except three-the union ol
the Offices of director OF primary
and director of kindergarten Worh,
the substitution of head teachers Ior
heads of departments ana the susti-
',isinr nrincipals, although he was in
favor of certain group principals anu
larger divisions.
Boards Attitude.
This board proposes now, as "
has always proposed, 10 put hrs'
things first. Where matters of reor-
gani7ation will help accomplish the
i've objects they will be pushed
"Where they will endanger the nve
objects they will be delayed.
where they need to be changed
they will be changed.
The board has no pride or opinion
20 safeguard
"rhe tasl; before us calls for mod
csty as well as courage. The great
need of all OF us is intelligence, up-
!eIhshness, and co operation.
THE board finally calls the atten-
- n
derstanding of the purposes of the
survey of the United States Bureau
of Education begun some weeks ago.
"The object Is to get the advice OF
educational leaders who live In our
community. While other cities pay
for this service, this community gets
IL without cost. Neither the board
nor the community is bound by any
nndings. The bureau does not ap-
proach its work in destructive spirit
nor does the board. concerned as II is
with the honor and good name OF the
schools. fear the result.
Asks ComYnittec's Help.
TO stop the survey now because OF
misunderstanding would create a false
Impression and might prove disas-
trous to the success OF our program.
The board asks the help of the COM
~tood by the community
III in principles We are in cordial
agreement, In details open-minded,
md In all things actuated by the
single purpose 20 serve the children
,nd 80 serve the nation. we cannot
fail to work as one man, and thus
Get what We seek
Those present at the luncheon were
Col. Robert n. Harper and Dr. Arthur
Ramsay. OF the Chamber OF Com
merce; Capt. James +. Oyster and Roy
c. Claflin. OF the Board OF Trade;
william b. westlake, and Jesse c.
Suter, Federation OF Citizens Asso-
Citations, and Roland Robbins and
charles I. Corby. Rotary Club.
A meeting OF tho Board OF Educa-
ton will be held this afternoon in
the Franklin School The teachers
council will meet IN the Franklin
School at . o'clock. only routine mat
ters are expected to come up.
N N FOLKS To MEET.