Evening star., 1920-02-19


The board of education in special
session shortly after noon today for
mally notified Ernest L. Thufston. su-
perintendent of schools. that his serv-
ices will not be required BY the pub
lie school system of the District aft
er June 30 next.
At the same time the board issued a
statement setting forth its reasons for
dropping Mr.. Thurston from the
school adm ,nistration. 1t was to the
) effect that he is not strong admin
istrator and is not willing to take
full responsibility.
Members of the board said no, de-
tails would be given further than the
statement of reasons for dismissing
the sHpefintendent. s.Ss:s.es rs.
MenAers Present at Meetsas.
Those present at the board meeting
today were. Rev. John Van Schaick.
5r.: Mrs. Coralie F. Cook. j. II. John-
con. Dr: Abram simon. Mrs. Mar
Gneri:a Spaulding Gerry. DIR. Chatles
p Nesst and Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes.
= The meeting. 1t is said.awas called
On short notice. 1t was held behind
closed doors. When the members OF
the board were arriving it was found
that Dir. Thurston was not at his Of
nee He is expected to be back this
afternoon.
Beard Holds Open Sessiou.
After secret conference lasting
more tran an hour. the board held
an open session lasting hve minutes.
The resolutions proposing not to
retain sMr. Thurston were read and
Schaick. Mrs. Cook. Mrs. Rhodes,
Mrs. Gerry. Mr.. Johnson and DIR. NeiIl
voted for the resolution DIR. II. b.
Learned. member of the board. now
r.Es
he could not vote for Mr.. Thurston
for another term. DIR. Simon voted
against .ir resolution.
THEFT of the resolution follows:
Il. Resolved. That the best inter-
est of the public schools of the Dis
trict Of Columbia call for the election
ola successor to E L. Thurston as
superintendent of schools, said elec-
tion TO be effective at the close of the
present term.
So Resolved. That supt. Thurston be
not reappointed at the close of his
present term and that ne be SO ad-
vised by the secretary of the board.
% Resolved, That a committee of
three. OF which the president of this
board shah be the chairman, be an
pointed to nominate his successor"
DIR. Neill and Mrs. Cook were named
committee
1t was stated that Mr. Thurston did
not attend the board meeting, because
ne had not been formally notified
ms meeting might not be Considered
regal Dr. Van Schaick said there
was no doubt of the legality Of the
session.
Statement Of Boara.
follows:
The board of education, by law
t.
for the control of the public schools
OF the District of Columbia.
me board cannot delegate its
power IL ought not shirk any re-
by law of Congress. the term OF
the superintendent Of schools is fixed
at three years.
The term Of the present incum-
Hent, Ernest L. Thurston. expire.
In justice to him and to tb.
schools. action by the board ought
not be delayed beyond the present
time
euperintendent make definite engage
nnents at this time of the year. Avail
Able places open are filled.
THE community has a right to know
the reasons back of any action taken
by the board.
Mr.. Thurston will not be reelected
For the following reasons:
He is not an able administrator
He is reluctant to take full responsi-
tility.
The differences between the super-
tEtendent and the board have reached
. point where they cannot work ef.
fectually together.
No system OF schools as intricate
As this system can go forward with
Out the strongest, wisest leadership
The board believes that such leader
chip can be found within or wfthou,
Che system.
1T believes that it would be false
70 the parents and children Of Wash.
1ngton If it did not seek that leader.
ship"
Van schaiek 10 Make Trip,
Dr. Van Schaick will leave Wash.
engton tonight or tomorrow for a trir
through cities of the middle west, in.
eluding Cleveland, Chicago and Gin.
einnati, for an inspection of the schoo
systems.
The reply of Mr.. Thurston to the
letter from DIR. Van Schaick. jr. in.
forming him that it is the desire oi
members of the board that his serv.
ices be withdrawn after June 80 wa.
: received by the board but was no
acted upon.
Text Of Thurst0a's Reply.
The text of the reply, which in.
lContinued on Page 2. Column 81