Evening star., 1925-10-22

While considering several problems
that arose in connection with the en-
forCement of the new compulsory
education law the Board of Educa-
tion yesterday afternoon stumbled
across a perpleXing question destined
to set a precedent in it's solution.
What is the equivalent of a public
school education" is the battling ques-
lion The board pondered over it for
4 few minutes and then referred 1t to
L special committee for study.
Superintendent of Schools Frank w.
Esallou brought up the subject IN ask
ing for instructions, in enforcing the
education law, as to the boards policy
regarding quantity and equality of
pupils taught privately. The COM
nlittee appointed TO study the ques-
non and recommend a policy Is COM
posed of Or. Charles L. Carusi. chan
.ellor of National University, who had
Just previously been sworn in as a
member OF the board, succeeding
James T. Lloyd; DR.. Henry Barrett
Learned and Rev. +. l. A. Bennett.
Would Limit Excuses.
Other questions which came before
the board concerning the enforcement
If the compulsory education law re-
lated to policies for eXcusing non
"ducahle pupils from school and the
establishment of valid excuses for the
absence of pupils. DIR. Ballou was
authorized to formulate a policy gov
nrning pupils who through mental or
physical shortcomings do not benefit
from regular school instruction, but in
the latter case DIR. Bennett, as chair
man of the rules committee. presented
list of seven excuses for absence
which he proposes to ask the board
TO adopt at its next meeting. They
follow:
Death in the immediate family.
Illness of the pupil in which case a
physicians certificate may be required
Exclusion by direction of the health
officer on account of quarantine. con
tagious diseases or other causes.
Subpoena by court of competent
jurisdiction.
Detention by civil authorities
Observance of church holy holidays
by communicates thereof.
Unusual emergency.
One high school sorority, Zeta
Chapter of Tau Phi at Mckinley Tech
meal High School, and another fra
ernity. Phi Epsilon of Eastern, were
added to the list of recognized secret
societies. Lambda Sigma of Central
was the first Greek letter organization
approved by the board since the adop-
lion of its anti-fraternity rule.
DIR. Ballou advised the board that
Delta Sigma Nu Fraternity has in
quired if it came within the boards
jurisdiction. He was authorized TO in
form this organization that rules gov
ernlng other Greek letter societies
also apply TO II, and that its applica-
tion for approval would be considered
in the regular way after the regula
lions had been complied with.
No Heat; Schools Close.
Detailed reports regarding the forced
closing of Western and Armstrong
High Schools and the Dennison and
Banueker Elementary Schools due
TO the lack of heat were submitted TO
the board by DR.. Ballou. DIR. Bennett
then urged the board to take some
action TO call TO the attention of the
District Commissioners the fact that
the schools had not been given
square deal" as far as the installa-
ton OF heating apparatus is concern
ed. 1T seems to me-" he said. that
somebody has fallen down on the job
The school authorities are utterly
helpless in this situation
The superintendent pointed out that
while the situation is deplora bic it
was difficult to fix the blame for the
slow procedure on the school heating
plants. Equipment in some cases. he
said. has been delayed. and it would
he manifestly unfair TO hold contrac-
tors responsible in such cases He
suggested that in the future contracts
be awarded earlier in order TO avoid
potential delays in shipment of equip
nent.
Danger Of the heavy steel curtains
which the Fire Department requires
Installed in the high school audito-
rIums' was called to the boards atten-
tion by DR.. Ballou. \ 40-ton asbestos
curtain crashed to the stage at West
ern last week, he said, and fortunately
no one was on the platform at the
time.
although these curtains may be
necessary for fire protection" de
clared the superintendent they are
dangerous otherwise. However. we
are required to install them by law"
Never Formally Approved.
The curtain at Western was never
formally approved. and the Commits
S1oner5 have notified school author
fties that they will ask the contrac-
tor TO make repairs.
DR. Ballou was authorized to con
duct additional sessions TO make up
for time lost by pupils in schools
forced to close owing TO the absence
OF neat. Appropriation of 81 15O ,
from the repairs and alterations of
buildings fund TO finish the corridors
of Western High School was ap-
proved.
Requests of the Columbia Heights
Citizens Association to change the
name of the Wilson Normal Com
muntty Center to the Columbia
Heights Community Center and the
Rrishtwood Citizens Association to |
name the Brightwood Park School
the Archibald White School were re- /,
ferred to DIR. Ballou
Changes Are Approved.
Changes in personnel approved by
the board follow:
Resignations-Gar Snowberger.
teacher, class la Lenoy- y-French
School N. II. Tyrrell, teacher. class
IA, division 9; r. L. McCathran, teach |
er, class IA, Brightwood School:
Thomas Haley. janitor, Bradley
School; r. F.. Parker. janitor. +. Y. |
Brown School; j. l.. Hughes, laborer,
Gage school; L. Z. Tibbs. teacher,
class IA. Miner Normal School: L. NJ. |