Evening star., 1937-12-02
EXAMINERS BOARD
.SET-UP |SASSA|LED
BY TEACHERS BODY
Union Protests Inclusion of
Other Instructors on
Rating Group.
BAN ASKED ON PERSONS
WHO ARE INTERESTED"
Number of Lawsuits Filed and
Requests for Reconsideration
Are Held Revealing.

Protest against the present organi-
cation Of the Board of Examiners for
the District schools was lodged with
the Board of Education yesterday by
Local No. 27 of the Washington Teach
ers' Union.
In letter to the board, Mrs Mary
Mason Jones, president Of the local,
questioned the practice Of including
on the examining board both admin
istrative officials and classroom teach
ers of different grades and recon-
mended a board whose personnel
would include individuals OF unques-
toned administrative ability who have
no personal interests" in the out
comes.
Referring to the presence Of the
classroom teachers on the board, Mrs.
Jones explained, cit would seem a
dificult matter for teachers to MAIN
tain an impartial attitude in the rat
ing of candidates who are fellow
teachers"
The union also contended that the
number of lawsuits filed, requests for
reconsideration Of the findings of the
examiners and the amount of dis
cussion rejecting dissatisfaction. re-
vealed that something is wrong. 1t
asked that If no change in Set-up can
be made, the criteria used as a basis
for choice of members of the present
type of board should be made clear
to all within the school system.
The matter was referred to Supt
Frank w. Ballou.
Salary Procedure Approved.
The board members also approved
a new procedure regarding class B
salaries prepared by DR.. Ballou and
referred it to the Legislative Committee
to draw up bill to amend the Teach-
ers' Salary Act to permit operation Of
the plan.
provides that in lieu of carrying in
the annual school estimates separate
item for the promotion Of teachers to
= higher salary group. that a portion
Of the unexpended balance at the
end Of each school year in the salary
item for teachers and librarians be
used for such promotions.
Secondly, the plan proposes that in
lieu OF allowing group B salaries to
lapse as they are vacated by teachers
through death, retirement or pro-
motion, they should be Elled from
existing rated lists for promotion.
A teacher becomes eligible to take
examinations for a group B salary
rated list after she has reached the
limit Of her original salary group,
which is $4,000 for elementary school
teachers, $2.40O for junior high school
teachers and $4,000 for senior high
instructors. The group B salary adds
to this $400 in sl00 increments.
The situation this program is de-
signed to correct is caused by the
clause in the Teachers Salary Act that
group B salaries be divided proper
tionately between the white and COL
ored schools on a basis of enrolment
DR.. Ballou cited as an example OF
the failure Of this regulation the situ-
alton now obtaining under which there
are nine class B salaries in junior
highs Of both white and colored di.
visions. Under the present rule, he
pointed out, If one Of those salaries
is vacated in the colored schools, nc
appointment could be made as they
are already over their quota on the
81 enrolment basis generally taken
The salary would therefore lapse.
Under the plan of the superintend'
ent, the money could be put in thu
unexpended balance fund and usee
for promotion of teachers.
The board also approved reappoint'
ment of two teachers who resigned
under section 213 Of the Economy Ac
under a waiver of rating requirement!
because of their good records.
Figures presented the member
showed more than 500 pupils hav'
moved into the District from State
and Territories and foreign countrie
over the number that came in las
year. There were also fewer with
drawals from District schools.