Evening star., 1922-04-09
DR.. BALLOU'S CLASH
WITH BOARD BITTER
School Heads Opposition to
Standing Committees Is
Nearing Climax.
SEEKS MODERN METHODS
Superintendent Denies Any Desire
to Dictate-Explains His
Position in Detail.
SEEKS MODERN METHODS

A bitterly battle between
some members of the board of edu-
cation and Supt. Frank w. Ballou
over the plans of the board to re-
forecast last night by school officials.
Opponents of the proposition, it was
said, as we'll as those in favor of it,
are lining up their forces for the
clash, which is expected to reach a
climax at the next meeting of the
board.
The result Of the fight. school off,
cials said, will definitely indicate
whether the cooperation and good
feeling between the board and DR..
Ballou is to continue or whether there
is to be tho differences of opinions
which marked the closing days of the
administration Of former Supt Ernest
L Thurston.
0atesAe Hela Afsst vital.
Some Of the members of the board
already have aligned themselves on the
side Of DR.. Ballou. Failure of the
majority of the members to support
the superintendent, it was pointed
out, will cause a division of two
ranks in the board, which is destined
to have a serious effect on the entire
school system.
In addition to some board members,
DR.. Ballou believes he has the sup
port Of the public in general. 1t is
known that members of Congress in
terested in District school affairs
have taken note of the controversy
and are inclined to take sides with
the superintendent although they
have no intention at present of TAX
ing any action.
DR.. Ballou's strong, opposition to
standing committees of the board
precipitated an open clash at the last
meeting of the board, and publicly
evidenced the friction which is re-
ported to have existed between him
and some board members for several
months.
DR.. Ballou Seeks EMcieney.
The superintendent made it clear
last night that he is q subordinate
Of the board and does not intend to
dictate to that body, but that his op-
position to standing committees is
based solely upon his desire to see
the board function in q modern busi-
nessiike manner and with dispatch.
By operating as a committee of the
whole, DIR. Ballou believes the board
will not accomplish this. but will
facilitate matters coming before it
for disposition.
Progressive boards Of education, DR..
Ballou said, have dropped all stand
ing committees and are functioning
as whole. Seven or eight years ago.
he said. school boards were virtually
operated by various committees. But
today 12o or $50 of the school boards
In the largest cities of the country
have eliminated standing committees.
In his effort to convince the board
that the re-establishment of standing
committees is not in keeping with
progressive educational tendencies.
Supt. Ballou also will wage a war on
the executive sessions OF the board.
more popularity known as the star
chamber" proceedings.
Scores "Dummy" Sessions.
DR.. Ballou is of the firm opinion
that % per cent Of the business of the
board can and should be transacted
in public meetings At the present
time, it was pointed out. the board
disposes of about 10 per cent of its
business in the dummy" public ses-
sions, while disposing of matters
which should como to tho attention
Of the public behind closed doors.
DR.. gBallou's opposition to standing
committees Of a school board was
first made in a book he wrote in 1914.
while he was director'of the depart
ment of educational investigation and
measurement Of the Boston public
schools, and published by Harvard
University.
.Whatever ones assumption may be
concerning the legal power or general
influence of a standing committee"
DR.. Ballou said, "a careful study of
its work in the light of effective
school administration can lead only
to tho inevitable conclusion that the
committee form Of organization of
the board Of education IL based on er-
roneous conception Of the functions Of
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