Evening star., 1920-03-01
NEW SCHOOL HEAD
NOT YET INDICATED

The position Of superintendent OF
schools of the District has not been
offered to anybody, according to
statement issued today by DR.. John
Van Schaick, president of the board
Of education. and will not be orered
pending an investigation of the whole
school system by a special commit
tee of the Senate, scheduled to hold
it's first meeting late this afternoon.
In his statement Dr. Van Schaick re-
views some of his recent activities con-
cerned with the selection of a sue
cessor to Ernest l.. Thurston, who
was notified week ago last Wednes-
day that he will not be reelected to
the SUPPLEMENTARY June 80, next,
when his three-year term expires. He
said:
have not offered the position of
superintendent of schools of the Dis
trict of Columbia to anybody for the
simple reason that have had no au-
thority from anybody to do so.
Il said frankly when returned from
Chicago and Cleveland that 1 had
taken advantage of the two big con-
ventions to meet pEominent educators
from all over the country, and to find
out what men are available to con-
slider in connection with local men for
the place here. DR.. Condor of Cincin-
natl dined with me in Cleveland, and
we talked over many men, He is a
man any school system in the United
States would be lucky to get, but until
we get salary Of $4,000 for the posi-
tion we can't invite such men here.
Not offered to Brumbaugh.
Il did not offer the place to Gov
Brumbaugh, nor have l ever talked
to him or communicated with him.
directly or indirectly, about the mat
ter; nor he with me.
I did not offer the place to Mr..
Cody of Detroit. I did not know he
was at Cleveland. And l may add l
was not even familiar with his name
No man said to me, I'd rather be
superintendent in petrograd than in
Washington
Nearly everybody said. What an
educational opportunity Washington
presents! The whole country ought to
get back Of Washington and make her
schools model which we can all
study
Some men spoke of Washington as
a hard school field, but the difficulties
seemed to act like a challenge to their
ability and not a reason for side
stepping it.
Not a job to be secured. but
best school men of the United States
look at the superintendency Of schools
in Washington.
That also is the attitude Of the
best men in the school system here"
Inside Facts Expected.
Mr.. Thurston. who returned Satur-
day night from an educators conven-
ton in Cleveland, was at his office
for a short time today. but would
say nothing regarding his fight with
the board of education. He is pre-
pairing detailed statement covering
his long conflict with that body.
which will be presented at the open
meeting of the board "Wednesday aft
ernoon.
In this statement, it is predicted, the
superintendent will explain to the
citizens of the city why the board ts
seeking to oust him on the grounds
that he Is mot a strong administra
tor. is reluctant to accept RESPONSE
bilfty'' and cannot work in harmony
with the body. Inside facts" cover.
ing three years of misunderstanding
will be revealed. 1T is declared.
The board was preparing to inter
view number of candidates for the
superintendency, according to renorts
today, when the Senate became inter.
ested in the school fight and dac;dad
to make an investigation Of the whoIa
system at once.
The first meeting of the select com.
mittee of the Senate to inyestipate th .
schools was to be held this afternoon
according to Senator Sherman. cha1r.
man Of the committee
1t is understood the hearinpa w;,,
be begun with as little delav as nos
sible and the investigation pushed
RAPIDLY,