The Washington times., 1922-04-06
OPPOSED
TOP0L|CY
IN VOGUE
School Superintendent Feels
Members Should Solve
Problems in Open.

"I want to break up the secret
meetings of the Board of Educa-
tion, If it is in my power to do so.
I am determined to bend every ef-
fort to have the conference sessions
of the board ended. l want to
eliminate red tape in the transac-
tion Of the schools business and
wherever possible have the busi-
ness Of the board in open session.
desire to minimize the practice Of
the closed door policy in board
meetings"
Issues Statement.
This was the statement issued to.
day by Superintendent Of Schools
Frank w. Ballou, in opening war on
the secret sessions of the Board Of
Education, long criticised in civic
circles here.
DR.. Ballou came into open conflict
with the board at its meeting late
yesterday afternoon when he de-
manded that a public record be made
of his vote of opposition against
standing committees Of the board, a
IIldlIeI WHlt1 DttH utClutu III d
secret session of the board, and on
which he had been out-voted.
DR.. Ballou's demand was ruled out
on a point of order. and the star
Chamber" sessions of the board will
continue as in the past only they will
now be half an hour longer.
Heretofore it has been the practice
OF the board to meet in the superin-
tendent's office behind closed doors
At O'Clock, emerge at 4 o'clock, and
then hold dummy" public meeting
to conform with the requirements of
the law. The board will not emerge
from the meeting until 4:30 hereafter.
Favors Open Sessions.
"All the business Of the Board of
Education, excepting l per cent
could be done in open public ses-
sion" said DIR. Ballou today. The
business OF the board is the business
of the public and should be trans
acted in open session.
Il opposed the creation OF stand
ing committees on the part of the
board because / believe that system
to be one of red tape. II is my pur-
pose to have the business of the
schools done with as much dispatch
as possible. | believe l alone hold
tndt view. he tlp-
fore transacted business as a COM
mittee of the whole and | believe
that is the method which will in the
end bring about quicker results
Il do not know who inaugurated
the conference habit of the board,
but | do know the practice was in
use when | assumed the office OF
superintendent of schools. There is
no reason that l can see why the
board should hold a conference be-
hind closed doors for the transaction
Of the simple routine business of the
schools.
1.-The law prescribes that the board
may go into conference only when
the matter of appointments is being
considered. / do not see how the
board can so Construe the law TO
include the holding of sessions on
every occasion just preceding
board meeting"
DR.. Ballou's attack on the Star
Chamber" meetings came when the
board selected by vote in secret ses-
sion a committee on rules, which
was announced at the open session of
the meeting yesterday. The COM
mittee consists Of Mrs. Susie Root
Rhodes, chairman: Mrs. Coralie F.
Cook, William l.. Houston, and
James T. Lloyd. According to Mrs.
Rhodes, the committee has already
held one meeting.
Callahan Sworn In.
Daniel j. Callahan was sworn in
rs a member of the board by Sec
retary of the Board Harry o. Hine,
It was believed that the board with
the seating of Callahan would elect
it's president, which office has been
vacant since the resignation OF
Daniel A. Edward, but the election
was deferred to another meeting.
The board went on record as
favoring the reclassification legis
lation, which will increase the pay
Of all workers in the District pub
lie schools.
Mckinley Manual Training School,
part of which has been closed,
owing to repairs of crack in an
arch on the third floor addition.
will be opened within the next few
days, it was announced. small
beam will be added to distribute the