Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-06-06
BOARD
SWINGS Ak ON
HEADS OF Is
Most Radical Changes in Many Years Are
Effected When Commissioners Drop Ad-
ministrative Officials From School City
Pay Roll and Abolish Important Jobs.
NO ADVANCE WARNING IS SOUNDED

administrative officers and employees Of
the school city ofIndianapolis.
As result OF the action, two things
have been accomplished:
l. 4 tremendous forward step has been
taken In educational affairs In Indian
apolis.
2. Education has been set back a quar-
ter Of century.
Charles L. Barry. president Of the
board, stated proposition No. 1 in q few
brief remarks exactly twenty eight min
utes in length
Brandt G. Downey, who appeared be-
fore the board in opposition to the de-
capitation proceedings, was responsible
for proposition No ..
But at all events the most radical
changes in years have been made in the
school system and the following offices
and positions abolished.
The office of assistant 10 the superin-
tendent, held by E r. Ray.
The seven district superintendencfes
held by Georgia Alexander, Lydia Blaich,
Sue Blassingham, Anna Brochhausen,
Ellsworth Lowry, J. F. Thornton and
D. r. Weir.
The position of supervisor Of project
work Of manual training held by Car
rie Francis
The position Of supervisor Of visual ed
ucation held by Julia Landers
The position of thrift director held
by Mrs. Lola Adams.
The position Of school lunch director,
held by Louise ZobeI.
The position OF stenographer In the
art department., held by Grace Price.
The department Of music appreciation
and vocational music now cared for by
the Orloff Trio.
The position Of director Of vocational
training now held by Russell c. Lowell.
This department viii be combined with
the manual training department and
placed under control Of Harry E. Wood.
In place Of the seven district superin-
tendents the board created three assis-
tant superintendents, one to be known
as business assistant and two as in
structloal assistants Salaries for these
position viii be fixed later.
1t is understood one Of these positions
is to go TO Elsa Huebner. principal Of
School No. 8, who Is said to have the
backing Of DR.. Marie Haslep, chairman
Of the instruction committee, who intro
dueed the resolution making the changes
at the meeting today.
The action was taken by the board
without giving any Of the occupants of
the positions to be abolished chance to
make any statements or to present their
side of the case.
Bert S. Gadd, meaber of the board,
made strong effort 20 have final de-
cision in the matter postponed for a
few days, saying it only was fair to the
heads OF the departments TO give them an
opportunity to present their side of the
case. Brandt c. Downey made a similar
Appeal, but apparently the majority
faction had decided upon everything in
advance and the program went through
with lot q oratory which seemed to
have been'careAllly prepared.
SEVEN ASK
TO BE HEARD.
Six OF the seven district superintend-
ents Joined in a letter to the board re-
questipg no definite action be taken In
their cases until they had an opportunity
TO be heard.
After a whispered conference between
two members Of the majority faction,
Adolph Emhardt and President Barry,
the letter was referred to the instruction
committee and the stage set for the
execution OF the superintendents
In answer to Mr.. Gadd's plea for fur
ther time, President Barry explained the
whole matter had been carefully con-
composed OF himself, DR.. Haslep, W ..
Allison. who was absent from the meet
Ing today, and E. Z. Graf. surerintend-
ent, and 1t had been approved unani-
m0usly. However Mr.. Gadd insisted the
ordinary rules of sportsmanship die
tated that the heads Of the departments
be heard.
In his half hour dissertation on the
benefits to be derived from the changes,
Mr. Berry said the seven Geposed su-
perintendents will be taken care Of in
other positions In the school and they
are not to be discharged.
Mr.. EmhHrdt approved Of the resolution
and was opposed to ary delay saying
the only result would be to stir up the
holders OF positions to be abolished and
start campaign Of propaganda among
their friends.
In his talk President Barr laid great
emphasis on the fact the move was one
for Increased efficiency and not for re-
stricted educational facilities. This was
disputed by Mr.. Downey.