Evening star., 1931-06-25
SCHOOL SHAKE-UP
ROUSES PROTEST
At BOARD SESSION
Physics and Biology Depart
mentS Abolished and New
Center Director Named.
DRS. HEDRICK AND HAY,
DENOTED, MAY TEACH
Gilligan Denounces Treatment Of
Men in Service Years-Mrs.
Peoples HonOred.


rent fiscal year late yesterday.
The same meeting witnessed the
launching Of organized opposition TO the
recently ordered transfer Of the Green
leaf School, at Four-and-a-haf and M
streets southwest, to the colored dlVi-
sionS.
The two positions eliminated from the
official makeup Of the school system
were the head of the department OF
biology and chemistry and the head oi
the department of physics, both IN the
white schools. Concurrent with TINS ac-
ton. the board created q new depart
ment of sciences, which embraced both
fields.
Mrs. Elizabeth K. Peoples, admins
trative principal OF the new Brightwood
School, was appointed director OF com
munity centerS to succeed Miss Sibyl
Baker, who resigned to become super
visor Of Fairgrounds. Mrs. Peoples was
chosen over Mrs. Lucretia Walker Hardy
general secretary of the department.
who was championed by Mr.. Gilligan.
In his opposition to Mrs. Peoples ap-
pointmert, which more accurately was
his objection to the failure to appoint
Mrs. Hardy, and In his opposition to the
demotion OF DR.. william A. Hedrick
from head Of the department of physics
to teacher of physics, and the demotion
Of DR.. William P. Hay from head OF the
department Of biology and chemistry to
a teacher of these subjects, Mr.. Gill1gan
argued for kinder consideration for per-
sons of many years service against the
less sympathetic basis of efficiency in
once. upon which the board took its
flnal actions.
Status Much Discussed.
~k,al4klAwa % aV-4V1 a
headShipS and the resultant establish
ment OF a single position brings to q
close a long controversial consideration
Of the status of these departments
among school officialS and School Board
members. While the discussions never
had been in public and while school
authorities consistently declined to dis
close any facts connected with the vari-
GUS proposals concerning the positions
and their incumbentS, "out of kindness
to the men themselves" it was strongly
indicated that dissatisfaction over the
two departments under their respective
heads was the basis of yesterdays ac-
ton. The formal action yesterday failed
even to mention DR.. Hedrick and DR.
Hay, but much of the history of the
case was revealed in Mr.. Gilligan's own
protest in their behalf.
Stephen z. Kramer, first aSsiStan
superintendent. following the meeting
declared that DR.. Hedrick and DR.. Hay
probably would be assigned to teaching
positions. Both men will suffer an ulti-
mate cut Of $500 year as q result OF
their demotion.
In his protest against the demotior
of DR. Hedrick and DR.. Hay and the
abolition Of their positions, Mr. Gilligar
asserted that such treatment of meT
who have given and are yet giving tC
the scientific education of our children
after a lifelong service in our system
should not be sanctioned by this board.
Pointing out in his typewriter protest
that DR.. Hedrick was first appointed tt
the school system in 1887. and that he
mas been head of the physics department
since its creation in 1906, and that DR.
Hay, who entered the system in 1892
organized and was made first head OF
the department Of biology, Mr.. Gilligar
contended that both men have long
records of outstanding scientific accom-
plishments, and their high standing ma
tionally AZ well as locally as scientists Il
unqueStioned."
Proposal First Made.
"The proposal of the superintendent
first made to the board informally ir
VAC 4 AAA O1 4UOOg Hdcs OAL 0CNCAAAbNA AZ
1880, communicated to us in the form
Of correspondence and rating reports
from the principals of the senior high
schools Of divisions to TX (white), >
Mr.. Gilligan asserted, with the recon-.
mendstion from Asst. Supt. Kramer
that these two departments be abolished
the heads Of those departments 70 bt
denoted to the position of teacher o.
their respective subjects; that depart
ment Of science be created and suit
able head be appointed. A third recon-
mendation dealt with another head o.
department, and made the suggestion
that he be notified that he must demon
strate within q year better leadership
No such recommendation was made re-
garding the heads of the departments o.
physics and biology and chemistry"
Continuing, Mr.. Gilligan explained
that the three points of Mr.. Kramer!
memorandum relied upon for the "rec
concentrations Of demotion" were edu
cational leadership, ability to commanC
respect and following of the teachers o
their department and initiative. Will
respect to educational leadership" Mr.
Gilligan declared four of the high schoo
principals rated the men "unSatisfac
tory and one very good" But, HI
explained, the unsatisfactory" rating
was uc0uCc0 1IOtA LAAc principals
statements and not stated" On tn,
contrary, he continued, "the verba
statements Of the principals regarding
the year 1029-30 were certainly not o
such nature to imply unsatisfactory
service, implying failure. Moreover.
Mr.. Gilligan contended, 1.-The principals
reports for the current school year indi
Gated satisfaction and great improve
ment in this subject"
With respect to ability to commanC
the respect and following Of their teach
ers" and initiative" Mr.. Gilligan con
tended that the various papers, CORE
spondence and principals reports studieC
by the board during the executive hear
inRs on the two heads of department.
show that without exception, so far a.
I can determine, both these heads o.
departments measure up" In conclu
sion Mr.. Gilligan declared:
I'm the light Of evidence that ha.
come to our attention, am compelled
to say that resent the humiliation thaI
has been the lot of these men for the
past year"
Motion Not Seconded.
Mr.. Gilligan's motion that the report
Of the Personnel Committee be laiC
aside until a subsequent meeting re.
ceived no second. The recommendation
of the abolition OF the two positions, OF
the other hand, was voted for by Mrs
Philip Sidney Smith. DIR. j. Hayder