Evening star., 1935-04-28
|ND|ANAN FAVORED
BY SCHOOL BOARD
FOR HEALTH POST
Action Expected Wednes-
day in Choosing Director
for New Office.
RECORD OF B. {. BAYH
IMPRESSES MEMBERS
Golden Romney of New York
and Paul Thomas of Harris.
burg Also Mentioned.

The Board of Education is expected
to act soon-possibly Wednesday-to
fill the newly-created post Of director
of the Department of Health and
Physical Education in the public
schools
Prominently considered for the job
is Birch E Bayh. director OF physical
education and health in the Tere
Haute, Ind, schools.
Members Of the board are hesitant
to commit themselves definitely. but
they plainly we're favorably impressed
with the Indianan at a recent inter-
view.
Bayh is 40 years old and for Is
years has been engaged in physical
education work, first as professor of
physical education and director of
athletics at Indiana State Teachers
College, and then in his present DO
sition.
New Yorker Mentioned.
Others who have received favorable
mention include Golden Romney Of
New York University and Paul
Thomas of the Harrisburg, Pa,
Schools. Several others also have been
interviewed.
Creation of the post was an out
come of the student fight during an
inter-high school foot ball game in
the Central High School Stadium
last Fall. 1t was recommended by
committee headed by Henry l. Quinn,
member of the Board of Education.
Whoever is chosen will have the
task of reorganizing the present some
what antiquated and loosely control
led set-up. He will be expected to
coordinate and revise existing athletic
and physical education programs,
building a modern department which
can stand comparison with the
country's leading school systems.
The new director will have the
sthree-fold responsibility of conducting
all athletics, planning and carrying
out activities for the physical de-
velopment and health promotion of
each child, and of tying in with these
two functions a program of instruc-
ton in health and hygiene.
Intra- Mural Sports Tanned.
Just what changes will be made will
depend in large measure on the man
selected as director of the department.
Mr.. Quinn and his committee, how
ever. want the emphasis changed
from the development of successful
teams to the welfare of the individual
child. To this end, an extensive
program of intra-mural athletics is
expected to be developed, with oppor-
tunity for participation by every
pupil.
, Medical examinations will play a
prominent role in the new program.
School officials would like to see each
child in the public schools given a
thorough examination by a capable
doctor at least once a year. and cor
rective measures undertaken, based on
the medical findings.
IN the past, free clinical service
has been available in the schools for
the diagnosis of certain ailments, but
no comprehensive examination of all
children has been undertaken.
Until We can have staff of exam
ining physicians of our own, the
health and physical education director
will cooperate with the District
| health officer for medical assistance"
Mr.. Quinn said
None Responsible Now.
No single person in the school sys-
tenn has been responsible for the
health of students. Physical educa-
ton programs and competitive ath-
letics have been under separate heads.
Dr. Rebecca Stoneroad who was re-
tired February l. was in charge of
the physical education work, while
the Board of Principals directed
inter-high school athletics.
Because of school regulations and
lack of funds, the new director must
begin his work at a $4,000 salary,
which may be increased by 500
annually to $3,700.
Mr.. Quinn said, however, that he
hopes means may be found to raise
the post to the status of an assistant
superintendency. with the accom-
panying increased compensation.