Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-09
SCHOOL BOARD
MAKES FINDING
FORPRINCIPAL
Dismisses Charges Against
Miss Josephine Smith
After Hearing.

Without a dissenting vote Miss Jo-
sephlne J. Smith, principal Of the Ben
Jamin Franklin School No. 80, Capitol
avenue and Twenty Eighth street, was
cleared by the board Of school commits
sioners Of charges filed against her at
the last regular meeting Of the board
Following a public hearing today.
Four members Of the board, Charles L.
Barry, Dr. Marie Haslep, W. d. Allison
and Bert S. Gadd voted in the Affirmative
on motion declaring that the petitioners
had failed to produce evidence sufficient
to Justify their charges, while the fifth
member Of the Loard, Adolph Euhardt,
asked 10 be excused from voting on the
ground that he had come to the meeting
late and had not heard all the evil
dence.
Miss Smith was charged with interfer-
ing IN the selection of officers Of the
Parent Teacher Association, with being
against progress in school affairs. with
discouraglnS initiative on the part of
teachers under her and with inability to
handle pupils Of the school properly.
FOUR WITNESSES
ACCUSE TEACHER
The petitioners. whose case was pre-
sented by L. Q. Snethen, acting as their
attorney, depended for their case upon
the testimony of Clyde y. SherriCk. 2S1S
Indianapolis avenue; William II. Meyers,
272I North California street, Mrs +. J.
Adams. 2S32 Indianapolis avenue and
Mrs Grace King, 2S03 Shriyer avenue.
About sixty residents Of the neighbor-
hood attended the hearing and about
forty of these seemed friendly to the
cause OF Miss Smith.
Mr.. Sherrick told the board Miss Smith
had sent his son from school about a
year ago. declaring he was feeble mind
ed. Later he was examined by two
physicians and the clinic OF Indiana
University school of Medicine and de
clared TO be normal. However. It was not
until about Christmas the boy was re-
admitted 10 the school
Mr. Meyers testified his 16-year old son,
who is in the seventh grade, was told to
take his books and 90 home. that he
was not wanted" When he called Miss
Smith on the telephone Mr.. Meyers said
she told him the boy had no brains and
was not fit to be in school" He was
transferred to the truant school where he
Is getting along splendidly, the father
said. lie accused the principal of hay
ing a pick on the child"
SAYS TEACHER
APPOINTED SELF.
Mrs. Adams, formerly president Of the
Parent Teacher Association Of the school
and who resigned because Of GiScOrd
within the organization, said Miss Smith
had appointed herself treasurer OF the or
ganization and said she would keep the
position as long as she was at No. So
Mrs. Adams also said Miss Smith was
unable to give complete accounting OF
almost $500 entrusted to her as treas
urer.
Following the completion OF the evil
denee against Miss Smith, Edward T.
Warfel State oil inspector, who with
Clark Wells, represented the adherents
OF tho principal, announced he would not
present any evidence or examine any
witnesses, and asked that the board de-
clare the charges unjustifed.
Consideration OF the charge made
I against Miss Josephine X. Bauer, princi-
pal at school No. 81, Roosevelt avenue
| and Olney street, Will be disposed OF at
the regular meeting Of the board Tues
day night. Miss Bauer is said to have
sent girl home from school because she
was too poor to purchase sewing ma
terial. 1t was stated at the meeting
the woman who made the charge had
come to the board to say she had been
misinformed about the matter and Miss
Bauer had not done this, but through
some Misunderstanding she had left be-
fore making a statement.
EMHARDT BLAMES
VOCATIONAL DIRECTOR.
r. c. Lowell, director of vocational ed
ucation, who has been under fire by
board members in connection with the
closing Of a number OF part-time schools
due to lack of funds, was accused open
Iy by Commissioner Emhardt Of being
behind the great amount of agitation for
the continuance Of these schools which
/
in the last week Mr.. Lowell was In his
own office, next to the room in which
the board was meeting at the time the
statement was made, but he was not in
vited In to hear 1t.