Milford chronicle., 1921-05-06
PIERRE S. DU POINT DE-
CLINES APPOINTMENT
NOTIFIES GOVERNOR DENNEY THAT He
CANNOT ACCEPT REAPPOINTMENT
ON STATE SCHOOL BOARD.
BECAUSE OF EVIDENT INTENT
OF The new LAW-FOR MODIFICATION
WHICH HE CONSIDERS AGAINST In
TERESTS OF EDUCATION.

Pierre S. du Pont has definitely de
clined reappointment as a member O.
the State Board of Education, and ha.
so notified Governor Denney.
His decision was determined by his
belief that elimination of certain
mandatory provisions of the old law
was intended as notice to the coming
State Board of Education that the lat
ter should exercise its discretion by
modifying the school laws in a way
that will be decidedly against the in
terests of the pupils and good educa-
tiOn.'
The governor had urged him to de-
fer making his decision until after
legislature shall have passed on the
school budget, on May 8, when it is
hoped legislative action with respect
to school finances may be such as to
make it seem possible to administer
the states new school law in accord
ance with modern educational ideas.
Mr.. du Pont did not await the Legis-
lative's meeting because he states, he
feels that there is urgent need for
the early appointment of a school
board, and that the new board should
be made up of members who believe
that the provisions of the new law
can be used to the development of a
good school system. He feels that all
should cooperate in order that the
law may be fairly tested and that
those who do not believe in the new
plan can best aid the state by STEP
ping aside. In his letter to the gov
ernor Mr.. du POnt says that if he felt
differently about the law his interest
in education would impel him to ac-
cept reappointment in spite of the
demands made on his time by his
many business interests, and he re-
grets the conditions which compel
him to decline.
His letters make his position in the /
matter clear. In his reply to the gov
ernor's first request that he accept |
reappolntment, he sets forth some of |
the things he believes are essential in |
the upbuilding of good educational
system for the state, and points out
wherein, in his judgment, the new
law is defective. This letter follows:
Mr.. du Points Reasons
New York, N. Y, March 20, 1921.
Hon. William D. Denney, Cover
nor of Delaware, Dover, Delaware.
My dear Governor
Your message, requesting me to.
serve as member of the State
Board of Education of Delaware
under the new School law, came to
me yesterday. 1t is a great honor !
to receive offer of such appoint
ment, for no subject demands more
careful consideration and higher -
thought than does that of educa- ,
tion. 1 am therefore embarrassed >,
and, I might add, disappointed to !,
be obliged to decline to serve. In =
view of my interest in education in :,
Delaware and to the fact that Gov =
ernor Townsend did me the honor :
to appoint me a member of the =
State Board of Education under y
the Law Of 1919, it is only fair to =
you that I should make frank state q
ment of the reasons that have led y
to my present determination. n
While 1 have many other ques- y
tions occupying my attention at
present ,and while my business E,
commitments are somewhat bur q,
Continued on page two) pl