Evening star., 1920-06-27
ASK 0UUA," "SAYS
DR.. SIMON, OF NEW
HEAD OF SCHOOLS
Announcement of a Success
sor to Thurston Confident
ly Expected Tomorrow.

ASK the ouija board" This was
the advice Of DR.. Abram Simon. chair
man of the nominating committee of
the board of education, when ques-
toned last night as to wnom would
likely be the successor to Supt. of
Schools Thurston-
DIR. Simon and the two other mem
bers of the committee-Dr. H Bar
rett Learned and Mrs. Coralie r.
Cook-in whose hands lies the power
OF selecting a new school head, still
profess ignorance as to who will be
named Mr.. Thurston's SUCCESSOR
However, a full meeting of the com
mittee was held yesterday afternoon
and reports in school circles are 1"
the effect that virtual agreement
as to the name of the new school su-
perintendent has been reached. An
other meeting OF the committee. DR..
Simon indicated last night, probably
will be held today and the way
paved smoothly for the election OF
Mr.. Thurston's successor by the
morrow morning at IL o'clock.
The new superintendent, it has
been definitely decided. Will be an
out Of town educator. The impossbility
OF the board electing d Washington
man to the head of the school system
became obvious when strong pub
lie sentiment was aroused for the
retention of Supt Thurston. Work
ing on the theory that a local
educator would not accept the posi-
tion in view of this condition. the
nominating committee Immediately
turned it's attention to giving serious
consideration to out of town appli-
cants.
More than score of educators
filed applications for Mr.. Thurston
position. among them several women.
The women, however, were not
considered seriously and their
applications were tossed aside with
many of the mems. When Or.
Learned returned TO Washington
yesterday from California he found
the nominatingg committee giving
serious consideration to the names
of four applicants. By tonight. these
applicants. by process of elimina-
ton. will be reduced to one. who will
be formally elected tomorrow.
The stage is all set for the special
session of the board tomorrow. which
undoubtedly will be the most event
full since June. 1917. when Supt
Thurston was reelected. Two
meetings will be held-one at II am
and the other at 3 pm. Executive
conferences will precede each public
session. beginning at 10 am. and
pm. respectively.
The new superintendent will be
elected at the morning sessi on. The
afternoon meeting will be devoted to
routine matters. which include action
on appointment of teachers and prin-
cipals for the summer schools made
by Supt. Thurston.
With the exception of Mrs. Marga-
rita Spaulind Gerry. who is in Eng
land. the entire board is expected to
attend the meeting tomorrow morn
ing to vote on the nominating COM
mittee's selection. Those who are ex-
pected to attend are DR.. John Van
Schaick. jr.. president; DR.. Simon. DR..
Learned, Mrs. Cook. DR.. J. Hayden
Johnson. Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes and
Fountain Peyton. There are only eight
members on the board, DR.. Charles
P. Neill having resi- gned.
If the new superintendent accepts
the position he will be sworn In at
the reorganization meeting of the
board July /. Supt. Thurston's term
expires the previous day.