The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-06-11

Board Members DenounCe
Miller for Hush Stuff
on Appointments.
0. K. ON TEACHER LIST
Bitter Remarks Hurled in
Usual Educational Free
& for ALL
Teacher List on Pages IS and 16.

Teacher List on Pages IS and 16.
Charles F. Miller, city school su-
perintendent was scored roundly for
Secretiveness in presenting his rec
concentrations for appointments Of
the 1900 public school teachers for
l929-30, at a special school board
meeting today by President Charles
". Kern and Commissioner TheO-
dore F. Vonnegut.
Miller came in for further scorch-
ing remarks when he left the meet
ing before it was half over. to attend
r grade school commencement, where
he was scheduled to distribute
diplomas.
1t is more important that he
stay and earn his $4,000 here by
informing the board about the
teachers he proposes to employ"
commented Kern.
SIaps at Miller
Miller gave board members copies
of his teacher recommendations
when the meeting opened. Kern re-
marked:
If Mr.. Miller had given us list
of appointments in May as is
customary, We could give it consider
alton before acting on it.
Commissioner Lewis E. Whiteman
moved approval Jf a list of teachers
submitted to all board members at
an executive session last Thursday,
including only a part OF those who
must re reappointed under the
teacher tenure law.
When Kern suggested Miller ex-
plain why six teachers were dropped,
Miller said he believed it should be
done in executive session.
rs there some secret method Of
dropping teachers? Why would it
not be advisable to discuss this in
open meeting?" asked Kern.
1T would not be fair to teachers, "
replied Miller.
Raps SlipshOd Work
We should go over the whole list
to comprehend it," said Vonnegut.
We have had one example of slip
shod work when the superintendent
put through his recommendation on
clerical help" referring to the dis
approval which followed putting
clerks and stenOgraphers on an an
nual salary instead of monthly,
when they only work nine or ten
months of the year.
Miller gathered up his hat and
papers and left
Vonnegut pointed out that last
YEAR forty were let out and not
notified in time to get other Jobs
for the ensuing term.
He pointed out that the board,
however. had the list a day or two
before the actual dropping and 4
remember Mrs. Sedwick (board
member had a chance to save some
of her friends that way
That was matter Of grading,
snapped Mrs. Sedwick-
"A bounCer by the name of Miss
florence takes care of grading for
YOU" interjected Kern.
Mrs. Sedwick answered: I don't
see that we do credit to the board
by criticising employees, like the su-
rerintendent and Miss Terrence"
Wants Open Sessions
1T doesn't do us any credit to
fail to criticise them when We
should" remarked Kern.
Before the press?" inquired Mrs.
Sedwick.
I think affairs Of the school city
are public property declared Kern,
and we should transact our buSi-
ness in the open and not in star
chamber session. It's a nice thing
to slide through four years as a
commissioner acquieScing in every
thing done by employees through
fear of incurring ennity or losing
friendship of their clique or ma
chine, but that doesn't influence
me.
There has been too much talk
ing around on the outside instead
of in open meeting. We probably
would have established more conf
dence in the public mind if we had
acted in the open.
If We can't have confidence IN
our employees, why should we hire
them?" darted Mrs. Sedwick with
a ouivering voice. Miller happened
to be your choice for superintend-
ent."
Kern replied: I'm not infallible
and probably have made other
mistakes"
Three Vote for List
After further warm passages, Mrs
Sedyick remarked: I am so used tc
this stuff that it is just like water
on a ducks back TO me-
The three majority members, Mrs
Sedwick. Fred Kepner, and Lewis E
Whiteman, voted to approve the
partial list: Vonnegut voted no anc
Kern asked that he be recorded as
declining to vote because Of the
teachers dropped.
The board took under advisemen'
other teacher appointments and thC
city library staff.
Teachers recommended for dis
charge are: Earl Christoph. Mary
Connor. Fred Donohue. Reba Hill
Christine Junken. and Sadye Mays