Evening star., 1928-06-02
DISTRICT SCHOOL
NEEDS OUTLINED
Creation of Business Depart
ment Among Suggestions for
Next Appropriation Bill.

The creation of a business depart
naent in the District public schools sys-
tenn under q business manager in whom
would be vested authority to disburse
school funds for construction, supplies
and general school needs, exclusive Of
teachers salaries, was recommended to
members of the Board of Education
yesterday afternoon in an executive
session at the Capitol with the three
members of Congress most active in
framing District of Columbia appro-
priations.
Called to the Capitol to sit in con-
ference with Senator Phipps, Repuh-
ican, of Colorado, chairman of the Dis
trict subcommittee of the Senate ap-
preparations committee; Representative
Simmons. Republican, of Nebraska.
chairman of the District subcommittee
Of the House appropriations committee
and Representative Holiday, Repub-
lean, of Illinois, vice chairman of the
District subcommittee of the House ap-
propriations committee, Board of Edu-
cation members were advised also that
the three appropriations committee
members favor the removal OF the dis
criminatory rule against out-of-town
teachers who would seek positions in
the local system.
Was Confidential Conference.
DR.. Frank w. Ballou. superintendent
Of schools, and members Of his stan
have not been apprised of the session,
which il became known today, was for
the confidential interchange Of ideas
held by the three members Of Congress
and members of the Board OF Educa-
ton.
The lack of a business department in
the public school system has been dis
oatssed frequently and often the board
has voiced its objections to the lack OF
provision for its handling Of appropria-
tions made for school use. At present
expenditures for new buildings. supplies
and repairs are made by the District
disbursing office through DR. Bal!ou,
who in turn is assisted by Maj. w. o.
Wilmartl1, assistant superintendent in
charge Of business affairs.
No school official. however. has any
real authority in the control of expen-
ditures. the exaction Of reports on
work done by the District repair shop
or in the supervision Of business af-
fairs.
Criticism Aimed at System.
This condition and the effect Il bears
20 the efficiency Of the system as
whole was discussed In yesterdays con-
ference. but members Of the board to-
day declared that no criticism Of any
Official or officer Of the system had
been made. At Franklin School IL was
ccntended that all criticism was direct
ed at the school system itself rather
than st the officials operating under it.
The board members suggested that sit
was not said that Maj. Wilmarth should
not receive the recommended position
Of business manager"
School officials at Franklin School
were loud IN their praise Of Maj. VIII
.Tnarth today. They said he has been
severely handicapped n his work by
the lack Of authority vested IN him.
II the Board Of Education approves
OF The business department. as recon-
snende6 by the Senators and Repre-
sertatsres yesterday. DR.. Ballou would
be relieved Of much Of the extensive
work which he is nov called upon TO
execute, thus giving him more time for
purely pedagogical duties.
Representative Simmons declared
that the provision In the school laws
which provides that only graduates Of
the District normal schools may be zp-
pointed as teachers in the elementary
schools deprived District children Of
their right 70 the best instruction OBJ
fssnabse.
0ut-of-T0wn Teachers Considered.
Both the matter Of the business de-
partmert and the listing Of out-Of-tOwn
teachers we're offered 20 members Of the
board '.to think over" until the next
session o. Congress. In the mean
time an investigation Of the business
c9 the other cities viii be made by the
Bureau 0f EGaeiency 70 determine the
best practices Of handing this phase
OF school administration.
The main purpose sought 10 be ae-
compziSned Ii 10 YesgTTange the duties
and responsibilities Of the Office Of
business manager 30 as 70 relieve the
superintendent Of schools Of al bGsa-
neSS cares and enable him 10 devote
al of lis attention 70 educational
problems, according 70 Senator Pfaappe,
Republican, Of Colorado, and chairman
Of the District subcommittee Of the
Senate appropriations committee.