Evening star., 1921-11-27
BACKING OF SCHOOL
BOARD ADVOCATED
Dr.. BaIlou Urges Congress to
Place More Faith in Mem
bers' Judgment.
WANTS MORE ASSISTANTS
Broadening of Scope Of Educational
System Requires Larger
Force of Instructors.

System Requires Larger
Force of instructors.
Hope that Congress and the Com
missioners will adopt policy OF ac-
cepting the judgment of the board
of education relative to the appro-
priations necessary for carrying on
the work of the public school sys. :.
tenn more nearly at its face value.
is expressed by Supt. Frank w. ballou
in the fourth section of his annual
report, which was made pubic last
night.
"Estimates submitted by the Com
propriations made by Congress-. said
DIR. Ballou, clearly indicate that the
appropriations fall materially short
of the original estimates OF the Doaro
of education and also in many cases.
considerably short of the estimates
submitted by the Commissioners. the
board has adopted and will continue
to follow the policy OF presenting
to the Commissioners conservative
estimates and hopes that the Commls-
sioners and Congress will adopt the
policy of accepting the judgment OF
the board of education more nearly
at its face value"
1t was pointed out that the school
board fully understands the limita-
tions under which the Commissioners
must prepare the budget for the Dis
trict, and that school authorities ap,
preciate the very sympathetic and
helpful attitude" Of the city heads
in undertaking to assist the school
governing body in securing funds Tor
the operation and maintenance OF the
school system. THE school authori-
ties" the report said. believe that
the Commissioners are rendering
every possible assistance under their
present limitations"
Urges Needed Development.
The fourth section of the report
deals entirely with the subject Of
needed Developments and extensions
of the school system. Among the
needs outlined are: Readjustment OF
sus and compulsory attendance law,
free text books and educational sup
plies for all pupils. creation OF q corps
of annual substitute teachers. en-
largement of the boards of exami-
ners and increased appropriations for
educational extensions. upkeep. i'm
provements and permanent equip
ment. These proposed Developments
and extensions. DIR. Ballou said, should
be provided for Immediately.
superintendent of schools in rank to
FIRST assistant superintendents." in
order that they would bear with the
superintendent the large RESPONSE
bllities placed by law upon the super
intendent's office" is one Of the SAIL
A salary Of $4,000 year is asked for
each Of these proposed officers.
DR.. Ballou also urged the immediate
appointment of two additional assist
$4,000 a year each. One would nave
charge of the business affairs OF the
school system. while the other would
act as an educational research ofhcer.
whose duties would be to carry on
continuous scientific study Of the
of efficiency.
Asks More Assistants.
As opportunities present themselves
through vacancies in the supervising
principals and other corresponding
officers, Supt. Ballou recommended
that two assistant superintendents Tor
elementary education-and educational
GERS would work under the immediate
and exclusive direction Of their re-
spective first assistant superintend-
ents and the superintendent.
Cost of operating and maintaining
the school system has increased more
than 900 per cent since 1906. DR.. Bal
lou pointed out in describing the
growth of the school organization
since that time. In 1906 the cost was
s2,211:0S1. while the last scholastic
were 52,73s pupils enrolled in the
schools in 1906 and 62,29S in 1920.
While the school system has grown
since 1905 through increase in num-
also has grown in the number of
activities carried on. These new
schools. Americanization schools,
open-air schools, Junior high schools.
tubercular schools, vocational schools,
community centers, platoon schools.
school garden department. admins
high school banks. dental inspection,
school nurses and the child labor
ONCE.
Urges Compulsory Attendance.
Passage by Congress of the COM
pulsory school attendance and school
census bill. which was introduced in
sion. as soon as possible was urged by
the superintendent. In order that the
results of a comprehensive school
census may be provided, and that
such information shall be available
for use in connection with the de-
gram. When Congress adjourned the
measure was before q House COM
mittee.
Legislations designed to provide
plies for high school students. as We'll
as pupils in the kindergarten and
elementary schools. is strongly advo-
Gated by the superintendent. Parents
of many high school students, he
said. find that the purchase of text
he said, ''the providing of free text
books and educational supplies to
high school pupils will provide, in
fact, free public education for the
children Of the District
In urging the appropriation Of $780,
600 IN order to create CORPS of
twenty-five trained substitute teach
ers. the superintendent made it clear
that when they are not needed for
substitute work they should be en-
ployed in special coaching work
(which may legitimately be found in
any school building in the District"
These substitute teachers. according
service in the same manner that other
teachers are appointed, and should
receive compensation not to exceed
$1,000 a year.
Advocating enlargement of the
the board of examiners. DR.. Ballou
pointed out. that the work Of this
body has greatly increased In scope
and complexity since it was created
in 1906. Under the reorganization
proposed, the boards of examiners
would consist Of the superintendent
OF schools as chairman. together with
NO less than four nor more than six
other school employees.
Would Extend Kindergarten.
increased appropriations for the va
cation and evening schools. extension
Of the kindergartens, SO there will
medical inspection force. adequate
Fairgrounds for every school. and the
replacement of worn-out and obsolete
furniture and equipment in the