New Britain herald., 1925-03-13
DR. HAND DROPPED BY SUPT. HOLMES
 No New Contract for Junior H, s. Hygiene Teacher
 SURPRISE TO P. E. KING
Instructor Says He is Determined to Find Out Why He Has Not Been Retained -- Teachers Committee Made No Recommendation.


 Made No Recommendation. Rumors that Dr. E. II. Hand, a ! democratic stump speaker In the last presidential campaign, would not be retained as instructor in hy- giene at Central Junior high school at the conclusion Of the present school year, were confirmed today when Hand admitted he had re- ceived a letter from School Superin- tendent $. II. Holmes advising that he would not recommend reappoint- ment.
 Dr. Hand said this afternoon he Is determined to find out just why he Is not being asked to remain at his post. Asked If he believed his activities in the interest of the dem cratic party in the last national election had anything 10 do with the present situation. Dr. Hand merely smiled and said: T wonder"
 Dr. Hand wrote the school depart ment February 2S, stating that he had received no contract for next year, although other teachers in the junior high school had theirs. Letter From Supt. Holmes
 The reply, over the signature Of Supt. Holmes was as follows:
 This is to advise you that 1t Is not my present intention to present your name to the teachers commit tee for a renewal of your appoint ment for the school year beginning September 1925.
 My reason for this decision is due to the belief and expectation that we may be able to find some- one who can more sattsfa ctorily meet the needs of our junior high schools in the instruction in hygiene for boys.
 T have the highest regard for you personally and shall be glad 10 help you in such ways as you may wish to secure a position in some field tlSeW ncT6.
 Dr. Hand before coming here was connected with the Mansfield State Training school at Mansfield, N. J. He has been engaged in work simi- lar to that carried on here in Y. NJ. c. A. institutions and elsewhere for more than 20 years. This is the first instance where a decision for him to quit job originated with anyone other than himself, he says. Chairman King Surprised Chairman Patrick F. King of the school committee returned to the city today after an absence of several days, and when he was advised that Supt. Holmes has informed Dr, Hand he is not to be recommended for reappointment this year, the chairman said the whole thing was news to him.
 Chairman King said he had heard not one word of complaint concern- ing Dr. Hand or his work, and t,.e decision not to retain his services was not arrived at during the course of any teachers committee meeting at which he was in attendance.
 Asked if he had heard any complaint against the teachers activities in democratic politics, Chairman King said no such word had ever reached his ears.
 Superintendent Holmes did moi feel disposed to go into detail as to the causes which prompted his action. This, he said. was out of consideration for Dr, Hand. who, he said, had done nothing wrong or anything that would reflect on his character. The school department head feels, as he explained it, that the city can make a "better ad- lustment. No successor has been decided upon as yet.
 Not Suggested by Teachers Commit
 The notice sent Dr. Hand was not suggested by the teachers commit tee, but was merely notification that as superintendent of schools. the sender would not recommend reap pointment of the teacher, Mir. Holmes explained.
 Dr, Hand has been with the school department two years. At the conclusion of his first years work as a teacher, last spring. Dr. Hand received the school. supcrin- tendent's endorsement and was rec commended for reappointment. At q later meeting of the board he was elected without question. During the two years of his service, Super intendent Holmes says no word of dissatisfaction uttered against Hand had come 10 him. The superintend- cnt explains that two years of Hands services had given ample opportunity to review his work, and he is convinced that a change can be made advantageously.
 Supt. Holmes was advised by Dr. Hand, after his letter had been mailed. that the teacher did not wish to be candidate for reap pointment, he stated
 Politics did not enter into his decision not 10 suggest a new con- tract with Dr. Hand, Mir Holmes says.