Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-04
Believes Election of Men,
bers Will Not Improve
School Conditions.
DETAILED Statement
SOON TO BE ISSUED
Announcement of Decision De.
clares Body Is Accused of Many
Conditions Beyond Control.

The Board of Education has de
cided to oppose the Gasque bin pro
vlding for an elective school board
in the District, hearings on which
are scheduled to resume next Thurs
day night. on the ground that enact
ment of the measure is not likely 10
improve the administration of Wash.
ington's public schools.
This important decision, il was
learned today, was made by members
OF the board following a committee
OF the whole meeting at the Frank
lin School yesterday afternoon which
consumed an hour and half, and a
detailed statement setting forth the
views OF the Board of Education will
be dispatched to Chairman Frank Reid
OF the GaSQue subcommittee within
the next few days.
Not only is the board opposed TO
the Gasque bill, but il has come TO
the conclusion, after thoughtful con
sheraton. that Il Is generally against
the elective system OF selection OF
board members as opposed to the ap-
pointtve system which has always
been in effect.
Deny Causing Criticism
II IS understood that the board
members, in following the testimony
already given before Chairman Reid :
committee, as well as in the light OF
their past experiences, take notice Of
the fact that much OF the criticism
directed at the Board of Education
concerns conditions which the board
Is powerIess to control
All legislation which the board may
deem desirable for the school system,
all appropriations for schools and
other vital matters must be forwarded
by the board to the District Commits
sioners. who many times veto the
Judgment of the board.
An example OF this situation was
brought to light by critics Of the
Gasque bill today. Il concerns the
retirement bill for teachers, which the
board and the teachers thought they
had brought TO a state Of near porfec-
ton after months of conferences.
Despite this fact, tie District Cone
missioners, II is said, have revised the
bill without consulting the board, and
intend to send II on up to the Capitol
after approval by the Budget Bureau.
with their own handiwork in it. The
point is brought out that should the
commissioners revislons cause a gen.
eral uproar in the city among friends
OF the teachers the public will
Immediately fasten blame on the
Beard Of Education.
Decide OH Firm Stand
AT the outset Of yesterday S meet
ing, II is ascertained, the board mem
bers indnlged il lengthy discussion
as to whether they should Ilace
themselves on record concerning The
Gasque bill at all. While t was ed
mitted that It was u delicate Gues-
ton for them 10 handle, they finally
decided that the public would mis-
construe their silence, so they unani-
mously decided 10 take Il definite
stand
In short, the board came TO the
conclusion that the disadvantages of
the Gasque bill, or the election of
board members at oil. outweigh the
the advantages. 1t is the hope OF
the board members that the public
viii lref1ect over the predicament of
their body and become more thor
oughly acquainted with their limita-
tons. They appear to be confident
that the public generally does not
intend to attack the board for in
evitable flaws in the school system
which they are powerless TO remedy
under existing law.
The statement being drafted by the
board is expected to go thoroughly
into the conclusions reached durirg
their meeting yesterday, as well as
their reasons.