Evening journal., 1921-08-23
MORE POWER TO
SCHOOLS HEAD
Superintendent Ward Au-
thorized to Employ or
Dismiss Persons
STATE BOARD CUTS
OFF TUITION MONEY

In a resolution passed by the
Board OF Education last night, Pro-
fessor David A. Ward. newly elected
superintendent OF the local public
schools. was given power to employ
and dismiss for satisfactory reasons
employees Of the school system and TO
draft and submit to the board, as
soon as practicable, an efficient and
economical plan Of organization for
the schools.
Professor Ward attended the first
meeting Of the board last night in his
official capacity and at the end Of the
meeting was offered the fluctuations
Of the board members. He made it
plain that he would know but one
standard in the administration OF
school affairs, that being efficiency.
Efficiency Is the only basis on
which l will make appointments to
positions in any department" Pro-
fessor Ward said. Il hope you will
not ask or expect me to assume the
responsibility you have just con-
ferred on me on any other basis. -
he added.
AAAt ntW superintendent rAdAt-
ment was warmly applauded by the
members who voted unanimously for
the resolution which was presented
by DR.. Victor d. Washburn.
The Washburn resolution follows:
Resolved, That the superintend-
ent OF the Wilmington public schools
is hereby authorized TO employ such
persons as are necessary for the
proper conduct of the Wilmington
public school system and TO dismiss
such persons where IL appears to his
satisfaction that their dismissal Is
for the good OF the service; be 1t fur
ther
Resolved. That the superintend-
ent be requested to submit TO the
board, as soon as is practicable, a
plan Of organization whereby the
school system can be expected &c
function most efficiently and eco.
nomically. due attention being paid
TO the amount Of money available
be II further
Resolved. That the superintend.
ent shall. at each meeting OF tn,
board. report in full as TO the de
velopment and progress Of tn,
school system"
The meeting last night was lonl
drawn out, lasting until nearly mid
night. At the close, President Soude
frankly remarked that the meeting
was, no doubt. the worst that ha
ever been held"
When the board was about to opei
bids for books and supplies. Mr.
Stradley informed the board that hi
attention had been called to the fac
that the specifications had called 70
books that are obsolete and that the,
call for 2S9h gross. or 41,6ss pen
ellis. and for 327 gross of crayons
while only 327 crayons were wanted
Something like "a dozen vast
baskets we're called for. Mr.. stradle.
said and cited a case called to hi
attention where the principal of I
10-room school asks for "a baskets
President Souder stated that &
the allegations made by Mr.. Strad
ley were true. the situation wa
bad" and asked the members &
they favored rejecting the bids an,
asking for new ones based on prop
er specifications. When the ques
ton was put 10 vote the ful
membership voted nay" and tn
president ordered the secretary 4
proceed with the opening OF tn
bids.
After the reading OF the variou
bids had gone on for nearly al
hour the board adopted a motiol
presented by DR.. Washburn that the
be referred to the new superintend
ent and the secretary for the pur
pose OF consolidating them and re
porting back TO the board.
A motion presented by Mr.. Rom
nell. which would have authorize
Mr.. Thomas to have numerous mi
nor repairs made in the school build
lngs in line with a suggested pla'
outlined by him was voted down al