Evening star., 1925-07-02

Reorganization of the Board of Edu.
cation yesterday afternoon with Z. c
Graham as president failed to bring
about the spirit of complete harmony
between the board and school officials
called for by the new president as he
LOOK once at the outset of the meet
ing.
Inc meeting threatened, at the very
beginning, to develop into a session
marked by complete discord between
the newly reelected vice president of
the board. Ernest Greenwood, and
supt of Schools Ballou. Later. how.
ever, the dissension disappeared as
suddenly as 1t came into being.
AS the meeting got under way it
seemed as though President Graham
was In for as hectic q term as befell
the retiring president. James T. Lloyd,
VINO, In turning over his gavel to Mr.
Graham, had just expressed fervent
nope that his successor would be
spared the harassing and annoying
scenes that featured his own tenure
Oh once. Mr.. Lloyd added that de
spite these annoying incidents" the
past adminiStra ton had seen Wash
inston push to the forefront of cities
= having model public school facilities.
Clashes With Ballou.
The clash between Greenwood and
eDr Ballou started when the former
accused the school superintendent Of
trying to tell the Board of Education
what 1t should or should not do" dur
Ing the course Of DIR. Ballous recon-
mendations regarding changes in
school personnel. Mr.. Graham aided
IN quieting this uprising. only to find
another impending a few moments
later over another recommendation of
the superintendent.
Mr.. Graham was nominated for
president by the retiring president
DR.. j. Hayden Johnson seconded the
nomination. There being no other
names proposed. Mr. Lloyd moved
that the secretary cast the boards
vote for Mr.. Graham, and this motion
was carried unanimously. The re-
election of Mr.. Greenwood was pro-
posed by Rev. f l. a. Bennett and
/ was seconded by Mr.. Lloyd. The vote
was unanimous
Mr.. Graham, in accepting the chair,
read prepared statement expressing
sympathy with teachers problems and
expressing hope there would be close
cooperation between the board and
school officials.
Urges Cooperation.
ut is a fundamental fact that the
attitude and character of the head of
any organization is reflected down
through the personnel of the entire or
: sanization," Mr.. Graham said. I'VE
cannot expect to have cooperation
between teachers and supervisors un-
less there ia cooperation between the
Board OF Education and the school
officials
Il believe that one Of the great
needs Of our school system today is
closer relationship. better under.
standing and a greater desire to CO.
operate from the Board Of Education
! to the humblest employe In the school
system. Words and resolutions are
futile in accomplishing these ends.
The Board Of Education has the re.
sporsibility Of setting the example by
affording the opportunity Of frank and
free informal discussion between II
and the school officials. and must ere
ate sympathetic feeling Of interest
among those coming under its juris-
diction. so that 1t may eventually per.
meate the entire system.
1t should not be necessary for a
teacher, supervisor or official to be
compelled to present his case in docu-
mentary form before he can have a
hearing by his superior.
If the school system is to profit
most it will do so by building up of
/ the latent ability that exists in its
officials and instructors. and every
means should be used to assist and
develop the ability of the individual.
If this is not practiced by the teach
ing force. we cannot expect the best
results when teachers are occupied in
the instruction of pupils.
The regular and official meetings Of
the Board of Education must neces-
sity be more or less formal. Members
of the board, however. must familiar
ize themselves with the intricate de.
tails of the questions involved out
aide of the regular meetings of the
board. I hope to create an atmos.
phere where there shall be opportu-
rjtv for more informal cOmuunjca-