Evening star., 1945-11-08
Probe Ordered
In Public School
Exercise System
Board Also Votes
Reconsideration Of
Smoking Ban

n oWCCPilB AlFCcblSdLiUii u bIlG
public schools physical education
program-including alleged pun
ishing" of boys with arbitrary track
work and the presence of "unquah-
fed instructors-has been, ordered
by the Board of Education.
In tense meeting yesterday, the
board also voted to reconsider two
of its policies, a ban on smoking in
high school stadiums and issuance
of diplomas to persons who merely
pass general examination instead
of attending high school.
The board also asked that the
District Commissioners arrange a
conference of every one responsible
for distributing teachers pay on
time. Recent delays in teachers
checks must cease, members said.
The investigation of to physical
education program is to be carried
out by the Student Activities Com
mittee, headed by Mrs. Velma Will
Jams. 1t was suggested by DR..
James A. Cannon, physician-mem-
Der, who said he thought the classes
were taught by unqualified" per-
sonnel.
Tells of Punishment" Run.
DR.. Cannon said he had been
told students who had just fin
ished breakfast were ordered to run
"21a miles" around the track as
punishment for Laughing in class"
The physical education instructors
tend to be incompetent" DR.. Gan
non stated. They follow their "own
ideas" rather than the curriculum
laid down by the board, the doctor
declared.
The discussion of the physical
education program was touched off
by suggestion by DR.. Chester w.
Holmes, superintendent in charge
of senior high schools, that the
board rescind its action of two weeks
ago, excusing cadets from physical
in. education periods twice a week.
Doubts Freedom of Choice.
DR.. Holmes said principals felt the
ruling failed because it had not
added to cadet enrolment.
DR.. Cannon retorted he was not
convinced cadets were genuinely en-
couraged to take advantage of the
excuse.
Il am not yet satisfied that the
boys have free choice in the mat
ter" DR.. Cannon declared. He said
he heard one cadet at Central High
School was told he would have to
take calisthenic exercises in the
cadet period if he availed himself of
the excuse to pass the gymnasium
period.
Dr. Cannon then asked that the
board investigate the physical
education department rather than
srescind the cadet ruling.
DR.. Cannon said the entire phys-
lcal education program needs over
hauling and was not delivering
the goods" as it should.
advised" Principals.
He also cautioned DR.. Holmes
against advice he said he had heard
the latter gave principals not to at
tend a meeting of citizens allegedly
scheduled to discuss charges of stu
dent drinking, brought by Adelbert
w. Lee, another board member. DR.,
Cannon said it was mistake if DR..
Holmes had ordered his principals
not to attend any public meeting.
DR.. Holmes replied that he had only
advised" the principals not to at
tend any meeting held to discuss
action of their superiors.
During the heated discussion of
the physical education program. the
board decided to delay temporarily
a decision on whether to establish
girl cadets as permanent city-wide
organization
The request for a general confer
ence to insure prompt payment of
teachers followed a report by Act
ing Supt. Carroll r. Reed that the
District auditors Office had been
responsible mainly for delayed
checks. Except in isolated instances,
he declared, the public schools had
delivered their payrolls on time to
the auditors office.
Cites Adult Smoking.
DR.. Cannon asked that the Rules
Committee discuss eliminating reg
ulations against smoking at football
games, since many adults attend
the games and cannot be con-
trolled" by school authorities.
DR.. Robert A. Maurer, vice presi-
dent of the board, said the recent
decision to allow public examina-
tions for high school diploma ac-
creditation should be ''reconsidered." :"
He said the board would have little
to say about the type of examina-
ton given. The examinations-de-
signed to benefit veterans whose
education was interrupted-would
be written by national organiza-
ton and should conform instead to
District educational standards, he
said.