The Washington times., 1920-05-26

prsssst bosrd Of EdusAtDsn TO
prosseS upon their plans rtfssrsd
10 in the hsasiags TSiatipg 90 q
cAsass In the s4psriMtsndest Of
District schools. kseauss his sue
csssor. nsmed by the present
SsmiHAat fsetios. Will insyitasly
ishsrlt the came s,vi@sd oounssls
ana obstacles rssuitins from pres
ant conditions, and that IL 10 less
haymfui to maiatain the existing
status OF anatrs than aggravsts
the present uafsrtunsts situation
by further friction.
Your committee believes that
upsa the making OF the survey
herein recommended Legislation
can be enacted and a complete
remedy had more sxpeditiousiy
and with less expense and delay
than II the majority OF the Board
of Education should carry into
efsct their avowed purposes.
Your committee has arrived at
the unanimous conclusion that
the present board Of education.
created under the act of 1905.
ought TO be abolished and q board
of educstion consisting OF six
members be created. The present
method Of appointing the board
OF education by the Supreme
Court Of the District ought to be
changed. and the power OF ap-
pointment vested In the President
Of the United States. subject to
confirmation by the Senate.
The compensation Of both the
teachers, janitors and other sery-
ice ought In justice to the well
fare OF the schools be Increased.
The present rate of pay cannot
reasonably be expected to attract
and keep competent persons In
the service. We believe the re-
port of the Joint reclassifcation
committee, recently made, con-
tains proper recommendation In
this behalf. The superintendent
of schools ought to be given pow
er to suspend or dismiss. sub
feet to the approval OF the board,
all persons in the service.
sasGest Basiaess Manager.
The business details incident to
the school system Of the District
are now 40 burdensome that. In
the opinion OF the committee,
new office OF business manager
should be created, and we believe
the survey herein referred to
when made will recognise the
necessity Of such relief from the
duties now incumbent upon the
superintendent. such manager
ought to be given q force SUM-
ciently large and qualified to en-
able him to dispatch business
matters adequately and rapidly.
Direct responsibility should be
imposed upon him for all matters
committed to his care.
The uses of school property as
community centers for entertain
ments, meetings and educational
movements ID approved. Your
committee believes, however, that
the use Of such property ought to
be under strict supervision. both
as to the care for the same and
the character OF the entertain
mehts or proceedings conducted
therein. Unless great care is ex-
ercised some entertainments sub
tect to criticism are apt to hnd
their way into the school build
inGs. This is a matter for the
good Judgment Of the Board OF
Education, but the committee be-
lieves 1t ought to point out the fact
that school buildings and their
appurtenances and grounds are
primarily designed In original
construction, in heating. and ven
tilation for educational purposes.
Favsr CsnmUnity Centers.
The committee found that many
of the school buildings were being
used for community activities,
many OF which were highly edu-
cational and recreational. The
community has been the means In
many instances OF furnishing eau-
cation, recreation, and pleasure
to the adults anil Ehiilren in these
communities, but the committee
found that there have been In
stances where DANCES neld in thoSe
buildings were not properly con-
Quoted or adequately chaPeroned.
The committe 3 OF the opinion
that there should be the closest
cooperation upon the part Of the
community authorities and the
patrons in following thet- wisncs
as to the character Of 'he enter
tainment and that the very strict
est supervisioh and regulation
should be observed.
Congress, in the House where
money bills originate, is provid-
ing literally in the appropriations
this year for buildings and equip
meat. The Increase of popula-
tiou in the District carrying with
II the natural addition to the chill
dren Of school age, makes 1t indis-
pensable that new buildings, ade-
uuate Fairgrounds, and other
physical i'm be had pro-
portionate to the Increase. The
necessity Tor playground room at
the Dunbar High School and the
Park view schools Is most urgent
and the committee hope that i'm