The Washington times., 1920-07-04
PEOPLE WITH
'ME-THURSTON
0usted School Head Tells Public
HelAppreciates Its Help
ful Spirit.

Declaring that the Board OF Educa-
tion had discharged him In violation
OF tho CLEARLY expressed wish of the
community" Ernest L. Thurston.
former superintendent OF the District
public schools. today issued the fol-
lowing statement:
To the People of the District of
Columbia:
Acting contrary to the clearly ex-
pressed wish Of the community, the
Board OF Education has terminated
my service as superintendent of
| schools. In view OF my long connec-
tion with the public school system. ex-
| tending over a period OF twenty-six
years, and In view especially of the
incidents OF the last few months. IL
seems to me entirely fitting that
should say just Ia few words to the
public at this time.
During my years In the public
| schools, In positions of steadily in
creasing responsibility. I have come
TO look upon my work as offering
opportunity for public service OF the
highest order. The public schools
stand at the foundation of the COM
munity. to renew Its life and tc
train its citisenry.
MEASURED BY SERVICE
"Any man who serves in a posi-
tion of authority In the public schools
should feel a deep and true sense
of responsibility to his community
and should recognize clearly the duty
of serving II with his whole heart.
A worthwhile school officer is more
| and more measured by the service
he renders rather than by the position
he happens to hold. Personally, I
felt this sense of responsibility to
the community very deeply. 1t has
governed by thought and my action.
Personal feeling has at no time
weighed In my decisions, but SIM
ply what was best for the schools
and the community. all things con-
| sidered. i have sought to weigh i'm
personally and in absolute fairness
the matters which have come to me
for decision.
During the last few months Of
| stress in the pubic schools, when
| professional self-respect and. be-
| lieve. the good of the schools de-
manded that I defend myself Wig
orously before the public. i sought
| earnestly so far as l was concerned.
to avoid taking any step involving a
personal attitude and to avoid so far
as possible any disturbance of the
morale of the great force of our pub
lie schools My thought has been
the safeguarding of this great school
system. into which haG ;;-t my
very life for more than a quarter of
a century.
SERVED IN DIFFICULT PERIOD.
ha ~nrs,, g.
as chief executive officer of the pub
lie schools during the most difficult
period the system has ever known,
and to have had to solve more varied
and perplexing problems than has
ever fallen to the lot of any other
superintendent of schools of the Capt.
tai City. No one not in the pub
lie school service can have any con-
ception OF the difficulties which had
to be met during the war period and
during the period Immediately fol-
lowing. Difficult problems, however.
I have felt a genuine Joy in meeting
them, and in cooperation with the
force of school employees and with the
backing of q helpful community, in
bringing the schools through the
most difficult times unimpaired in
strength and efficiency.
Moreover the schools not only
have held their own during the diff
cult years Immediately behind us. but,
educationally speaking, they have
progressed far more markedly than
in any preceding period. With the
cooperation of many within the
school system the whole organization
has become progressive and alert
AAA Ill "a, Nd
| administrative adjustments have been
maze tending to increase the educa-
tional efficiency OF our work, and i'm
portant new educational opportunities
| have been opened and developed.
These are so well known to the public
that they need not be listed here.
Although hampered and restricted in
many ways. foundations have been
laid for even larger things. and under
right conditions vigorous growth
| would undoubtedly continue.
| WORKED WITH PUBLIC.
II am a very strong believer in the
co-operation Of the public with the
schools. have sought in every way
possible. during these years of serv-
ice as superintendent, to keep the
public informed OF developments
within the school system, and to en-
courage that close personal contact
between the school and the home which
by partnership of effort results in the
fullest development of the child. Prob
ably no other large community has
developed a clearer and more intelli-
gent interest in its schools than has
Washington.
II owe a very deep debt of graft
tude to you people OF Washington.
During these weeks of stress, your
cordial support and cooperation.
based on your very clear understand
ing of the Issues involved. have
brought happiness and strength to
me- As have come to feel the real
heart OF our community, I have felt
that ! have been passing through one
of the wonderful experiences of life.
Especially during these last few
weeks when Won have ciyep mo yoyr