Evening star., 1936-06-04
SCHOOL HEADS ASK
PARENTS V|EWSON
CHANGING HOURS
Board Follows Up Request
of Delano That Traffic
Jam Be Reduced.
TEACHERS LEAVE BILL
HEARING is DISCUSSED
Committee to Attend House Con-
ference on Proposal for
Year Relief.

The Board of Education today was
preparing for a city-wide poll to
ascertain the views of parents on
q proposal that the opening hour
of public schools be advanced to
$50 am. or postponed to $50, as
q means of relieving traffic congestion.
This action was voted by the Board
yesterday at a meeting when plans
also were made for appearance of
the Legislative Committee at hear
ing tomorrow on a House bill to
provide sabbatical leave for teachers.
The change in the school opening
hour was suggested by Frederic A.
Delano, chairman of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commis-
sion, who declared, in a letter to
Supt. Frank w. Ballou, the change
should be made If for no other
reason than that it is a matter of
very great Importance to protect chill
dren from the traffic hazards that
exist
DR.. Ballou told the Board that he
felt any changes in the school hours
will have a very decided effect on
the home conditions of many families,
and suggested the Board ascertain
the views of parents.
To Get Facts Quickly.
The poll will be conducted, through
the pupils, before the end OF the
present school term so the Board can
take action at the time of the reopen
ing of schools next September, or
shortly thereafter.
Regarding the hearing on the leave
bill introduced by Representative
Connery, Democrat. of Mas "huSetts.
the members of the Legislative Com
mittee were instructed to advocate
certain provisions embodied in a SIM
liar bill approved by the Board in 1882.
Connery's bill would provide leave
for teachers who have been in the
Districts employ for at least six con-
secutive years Immediately prior to
their applications for leave The pc
riod of leave would not exceed one
year. and the place of the teachers
would be filled by the appointment
Of a temporary incumbent The
part pay.
Money-Back Provision.
In a comparison of the two bills,
Supt. Ballou pointed out the boards
bill provided that any employe on
leave file a written agreement to re-
main in service for at least two years
after expiration of the leave, or in
case OF resignation within two years
ito refund to the Treasury = such
proportion of the amount paid him
for the time included in the leave of
absence as the unexpired portion of
said two years may bear to the entire
two years" The House bill does not
include this provision.
The boards bill is not applicable to
school librarians. employees of the
Community Center, school-attendance
and work-permits departments, or to
any administrative or supervisory
officer now in charge Of educational
supervision of teachers. Representa-
tive Connery's bill does not contain
this limitation.
On recommendation of the Rules
Committee, the board voted against
any change in the rules regarding
outside employment of board en-
ployes. The matter came up for con-
sideration after the board had re-
ceived a complaint against the en-
ployment of DR.. E. N. C. Barnes,
director Of music in the white schools,
in an outside position.
Tobacco Use Barred.
The board also voted to include the
regulation prohibiting use of tobacco
in school buildings in all permits for
use Of school property for community
purposes.
Supt. Ballou's second installment of
his report on health and physical
education in the schools was referred
to the Special Committee on Health
and Physical Education for considera-
ton. The report dealt with junior
and senior high schools. Among its
recommendations were:
l. To require two periods of physi-
cal education per week in grades 7 to
IL, inclusive.
2. Establishment of definite credit
requirements in health and physical
education.
3. Inclusion of modern swimming
pools in new high schools.
4. A program of intramural sports
rs an extension of the daily physical
education program.