Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-08-23
WIDE AUTHORITY
FOR SUPT. WARD
School Board Authorizes Him
to Employ and Dismiss at
His Discretion.

After stormy session of more than
three hours. during which an unusu-
ally large amount of business WAS
transacted the Board of Education
last night took action. vesting in the
new superintendent OF schools OF the
city, almost unlimited authority In
conducting the school. system of Will
mington. He is authorized In the res
ohution TO hire and dismiss, when IL
appears To his satisfaction that dis
missal is for the good of the service,
lie is also requested to submit to the
board plan of school organization,
for the economical and efficient func-
tioning of the school system.
Mr.. Ward attendes the meeting for
the first time i'm his official capacity
and was greeted by the members of
the board. He said that in the new
duties placed upon him. there would be
hut one standard and that would be
efficiency:
Efficiency is the only basis on
which l viii make appointments 10
positions in any departments" Pro-
fcSsor Ward said. Il hope YOU Will
not ask or expect me TO assume the
responsibility you have Just conferred
on me on any other basis" he added
The new superintendent's state
mtnt was warmly applauded by the
members who voted unanimously for
the resolution which was presented
by DIR. Victor ID. washburn.
The washhurn resolution follows:
Resolved, That the superintend-
~ent of the Wilmington public schools
is hereby authorized to employ such
persons rs are necessary for the proper
conduct Of the Wilmington public
school system and 10 dismiss such per-
sons where il appears 70 his sstisfac-
tinn that their dismissal Is for the good
of the service: be it further
Resolved. That ths superintendent
he requested to submit 20 the board
as soon as is practicable. plan of or
ganization whereby the school system
cam lie expected 10 function most ef-
fcbntly and economically, due atten-
ton being paid TO the amount of money
available: ne il further
Resolved. That the superintendent
shall. at each meeting of the board
report in fun as to the DEVELOPMENT
and progress of the school system"
Mr.. Ward in his address. in which
he alluded to the increased RESPONSE
bilitv. which the school board CON
templates comforting upon him, which
will make him both director and man
arer of the school system Of Wil-
mirgton said in part:
THE. schools Of Wilmington are
maintained and operated for the vel
fare Of the children Of Wilmington.
Anything that is detrimental to the
natural and most rapid development
Of tho children should not be allowed
20 have place in the schools. Any
thing which will contribute to their
development and which will contribute
10 the betterment of conditions moro
favorable TO their development should
he sought and maintained as a part
of the school system.
Ability to render efficient service
IS the only basis on which appoint
rfents can be. made in any department;
OF the schools. i might say, gentle
men. that more rectitude Is a prime
essential for rendering efficient ser
vice in the schools. This applies
equally in every department, since all
employees OF the school system must
come in contact with the children,
either directly or Indirectly, in school
or out Of school. Hence. commend
able conduct is vital matter for con
sideration either in the appointment
or retention Of employees.
a am sure you viii not ask me. or
thaa you viii not expect me. to con-
slider anyone for appointment or re-
tention on any other than the basis
of efficiency. On this basis, and wits
This understanding. ] viii assume the
responsibility and undertake the eX-
ccilfinn Of the post 2