The Wrangell sentinel., 1924-07-03
W. L. Gross Sues Wrangell
 School Board

District Court by W. L. Gross against the Wrangell School Board. MT. Gross alleges that the school board broke a contract with him, and he asks payment in the sum of s2.500 and costs of suit, including reasonable attorneys fee
 In February 1923, the Wrangell school board which at that time was composed of Rev. H. P. Corser, Mrs. NJ. o. Johnson, and Dr. S. c. Shurick entered into a two-year contract with Mir. Gross as superin- tendent of the Wrangell Public School at salary of s2,500 a year.
 The members of the school board are elected for three years, one new member being elected each year. The contract with MT. Gross stipu- lates that his employment for the second year is subject to the approv- al of the new member of the board.
 Owing to Mrs. NJ. o. Johnson having resigned last fall the board now has two members who have come into office since the contract was signed The personnel of the present board is as follows: Mrs. J. H. Wheeler, president; pr. s. c. Shurick, treasurer; A E. Gurr, secretary.
 According to the board there was much dissatisfaction over many things pertaining to school admin istration last year and the superin- tendent was largely blamed. There was much disappointment that he had seemingly failed to make good after he had been given larger au- thority and responsibility over the previous year Added to this the board say there was doubt expressed as to Mir Gross's scholastic qualifi- cations It was the understanding of the board when the contract was signed with Mir Gross that he was a graduate of Valparaiso Universi- ty. Indiana, and of commercial college and had the degrees of A. B. and B. of Pd. When his scholarship ship was questioned it was estab- lished by the board that there was no record of his having graduated from Valparaiso University, and it is said that MT. Gross was able to produce only a bachelor of pedago- gy diploma; it is understood that this degree was secured several years ago and it is contended that it required less than year of college study to secure, and that in no sense could it be construed to signify graduation. It is said Mir Gross explains that his A B. degree was secured from a commercial college and sig nifies bachelor of accounts. In op- position it is claimed that such significance is not in general usage and that MT. Gross has used it in misleading way.
 The Wrangell high school was placed on the accredited list year ago; one of the requirements for such standing is that not less than three teachers, all graduates of rec ognized universities, give full time to the high school. The Wrangell school superintendent must of ne-  cessity teach in the high school, due tc the small enrolment and limited funds. Therefore, the board claim, if a superintendent is retained who has not the required scholarship the high school must drop from its accredited standing with resultant injustice to the high school pupils.
 There has been general regret in Wrangell that Mir Gross has started suit against the school board for his friends fear that the suit will harm him irreparably. The board say that in asking for his resigna- tion they felt they were acting for