Evening star., 1921-11-03
BALLOU MAY QUIT
TO co TO BOSTON
Superintendency at $4,000
Yearly Reported Offered
to School Head.

The possibility OF DR.. Frank w.
Ballou, superintendent of schools re-
signing to accept the SUPPLEMENTARY
of the public schools Of Boston,
created stir today in school circles.
1t is understood that DR.. Ballou is
being considered by the Boston board
oteducation as successor to Frank
V. Thompson, who died last week.
First intimation that DR.. Ballou
may leave the District school system
was given the school board at its
meeting yesterday afternoon in the
Franklin School. Board members ap-
parently were disturbed over the
situation, and discussed it at length
behind closed doors. During the dis
cussion DR.. Ballou, Harry o. Hine.
secretary of the board, and a clerk.
meetings. We're excused from the
boards chambers. an incident which
has not occurred at school board ses-
sions in recent years.
Salary $4,000 Greater.
According to reports from a re-
liable source, Dr. Ballou did not
indicate to the board that he con-
templated resigning. but in diplo-
matte manner informed the members
superintendency of the Boston schools,
pointing out that the position paid
$4,000 a year, or 1000 more than he
is receiving in Washington. 1t also
was said that the superintendent
made it clear that he is under con-
in the District, and that it Is up to
the school board to decide whether
or not that contract shall be enforced.
The Boston school board. it was
said offered to consider DR.. Ballou
for the superintendency while he was
in that city last week attending the
funeral of Mr.. Thompson. DR.. Balleu
was an assistant superintendent of
the Boston schools before he came
to Washington, and therefore is
familiar with the administration of
the schools there.
Paid High Tributes.
Reports of the possible loss of DR..
Ballou caused school officials today to
pay him high tribute. Several officials
declared it would be a calamity" If
DR.. Ballou went to Boston.
Dr., Ballou has been at the head of
the local school system since July l.
1920. Since that time. it was pointed
out, he has become familiar with the
Washington school system, and has
mapped out comprehensive program
for the betterment of the school admin
istra ton. 1t also was said that he was
instrumental in getting the first large
school building program through Con-
greSS.
Increase to $4,000 Asked.
Fearing the loss of the superintend-
ent. the school board this year in
cluded in it's estimates an item pro-
viding for an increase in his pay to
$4,000 year. Whether this item
has been stricken out Of the esti-
mates in the s!ashing process they
went through in the hands of the
Commissioners and the budget bu-
reau was not disclosed. School board
members. however. have made plans
to go before the Senate and House
District committees when they begin
consideration of the District appro-
priation bill, and urge that the salary
of the school head be increased to
$4,000.
1t was learned today that DR.. Bal
lou already had refused three offers
from as many cities, paying the
school superintendent $4,000 a year,
believing that there are many ad-
vantages in Washington for him.
However. it was said, that if the su-
perintendency of the Boston schools
is formally offered to him, 1t is likely
that he will accept it,