The Washington herald., 1920-03-04
VAN SCHAICK REGIME
BOLDLY CHALLENGED
BY SUPT. THURSTON
coNrrNuEp PROM PAGE ONE.

we'll known memorandum ana u un-
derstand that In February, 1917,
without authority from the board,
he was seeking a new superintend-
end at the National Education As
ISOLATION convention in Kansas City.
In the spring of 1917 the matter
Of my reelection became active,
and DIR. Van Schaick bitterly OPP
poesd me. In the hope of elimi-
mating me in some way, or of Sc
curing my withdrawal, he called me
ences with him, impressing upon me
my certain defeat. Among other
things he suggested my possible ac-
ceptance of various subordinate
positions. Within a few hours OF
my reelection he informed me that
I would certainly be defeated, 6 to 3.
All overtures were positively re-
fused by me-" Con May . Thurston
was informed of his reelection by
votes to ~
Interference in administrative
matters continued, the statement
declared. DR.. Van Schaick Is said
to have established an Office next
to that of the superintendent, where
he held conferences on school serv-
ice and other matters, "all without
regard to the superintendent" He
personally protested this procedure
to DR.. Van Schaick. he says.
Takes Up Bruce Case.
Thurston then came to the Bruce
case, "ons Of the few real factors
for disagreement between the su-
-perintendent and certain members
Of the board" e..
The administrative and educa-
tiona1 efficiency of Roscoe C. Bruce,
assistant superintendent Of schools, -
was Investigated by a committee OF
three, and he was found competent
In the majority report submitted
October I. 1919. and signed by DR..
Learned and Mrs. Cook. Fountain
Peyton, the third member. dissented
in a minority report.
The entire hearing was-secret, de-
clared Thurston. He had no seat at
the proceedings. and was denied a
transcript Of testimony. An attempt
was made, he further alleged, ito
place blame for Mr.. Bruce's admin
istration on the superintendent" at
a private conference preceding the
regular meeting where the report
was submitted. and at this prelimi-
nary conference he was barred out
by DR.. Van Schaick himself, he re-
lated.
"a formal report was presented,
omitting allegations against the
superintend he said. Here
again. however. is a clear case of
an attempt to try to condemn the
superintendent unheard,"
school Survey Issue.
Another difference arose between
the board and the superintendent
in the matter of the school survey
last fall. Certain members of the
board, Thurston stated, objected TO
his participation in civic meetings
in the interest of the schools. He
said he sought only "to emphasize
the important. fundamental propo-
sitions for school betterment on
which thought the community. the
schools, the board and the super
inte ndent could well get together
Looking back over my record
| he said, toward his conclusion, 81
recall no failure on my part in my
official relations with board mem
bers to recognize their proper pre-.
negatives. The board has never
sought a conference with me to ad.
just differences 1t believes to exist
The criticism of the board ha.
been personal in tone and has beer
made solely in private or secret
conference. sometimes with the su'
lperintendent present, sometimes un.
doubtedly in his absence. Most oi
it has grown out of the desire and
determination of board members Il
step into the administrative field
Never has the criticism been con
structive.
As to Responsibility.
"I am at a loss to understand
what the board means by unwill.
! ingness to accept responsibility.
have not knowingly refused to &C
cept it. Not since DR.. Van Schaicl
same on the board have I had tn,
opportunity to exercise my full
/ power as superintendent, except II
so far as, during the period Of tn,
war crisis. George E. Hamilton, a.
| president, with wise vision Of tn,
tremendous porblems / had to meet
and with clear recognition Of m.
rights and responsibilities, was abI,
to give me splendid cooperation
with the help of certain members
| His superintendency has been rem.
| dered doubly difficult. Thurstol
said. by the peculiar division Of tn,
| schools into two complete educa
! tional systems" and many othe
! factors, including shortage of teach
/ ing force, epfdemics, fuel shortag,
and inexperience Of new emeployes
Under all of these conditions tn,
| schools have been kept running
! Thurston pointed out, and every Sc
rious condition has been met effec
| lively, so far as was within hi
power.
Before the open meeting, wher
| Thurston read his statement, tn,
board went into executive session
as is customary, Thurston sitting
with the members. During th'
reading he glanced many times a
DIR. Van Schaick. who sat unper
turbed and motionless.
THE Board of Education will Civ
the statement of Supt. Thurstoi
| thorough consideration" was tn
presidents only comment after th'
meeting.