Evening star., 1947-12-28
Kemp Supports
New Arlington
School Board
Says He'll Assume
Elected Group Is
Legal Despite Suit

Arlington Supt. of Schools Fletch.
er Kemp yesterday announced his
support Of the county's elected
school board, which is being sued by
the incumbent board members in an
effort to retain their offices.
The incumbent boards suit, which
questions the constitutionality Of
the statute under which an elected
board was chosen last month, Is
to be heard at 10 am. tomorrow in
Arlington Circuit Court. The elected
board is scheduled to take over
Thursday.
In announcing support Of the
elected board members, Mr.. Kemp
declared he has no knowledge of the
merit of litigation now pending
between the new school board men1-
bers and members Of the old school
board =.
Position Is Independent"
He added that he had tried to
maintain an independent position"
because sit will be my duty and
pleasure to cooperate with which,
ever group the courts may determine
to be entitled to the office"
However" Mr.. Kemp continued,
''the new board has been elected by
the people under a law which must
be presumed to be constitutional,
unless the courts hold otherwise.
Therefore, I believe it my duty to
recognize and cooperate with the
recently elected members as the
county school board after January
/. 1913, unless and until the court
shall decide otherwise"
Mr.. Kemp would not say whether
this meant he would not continue
to make school records available to
the old board, pending court r1ll-
ing.
The superintendents statement
was his first since the suit was filed
December II.
Audit Is Discussed.
Mr.. Kemp also took occasion to
explain the status of the school
boards financial records. The High
land Park-Overlee Knolls Citizens
Association last week requested an
immediate, independent audit Of
books of the old board.
"As a matter of usual procedure"
Mr.. Kemp explained" the accounts
of the school board have been
audited and approved for each fiscal
year. including the year ending June
30, 1947. I can see no objection to
a further audit if the new board
considers it necessary or desirable"
The incumbent board will hold
its regular meeting Tuesday night in
the superintendent Office Under
terms of the election legislation.
this would be the last official meet
ing of the old board. New board
members met informally with Mr..
Kemp yesterday to map plans for
their first official meeting 8 pm.
Friday at the James Monroe School,
Barnard Joy. a member OF the
elected board. said tentative pro-
gram for Fridays meeting was
worked out at yesterdays meeting
with Mr.. Kemp whose contract as
runs for another two
years.
Officers to be Elected.
First on the program. he said,
will be election of officers. Other
items scheduled are:
Review of contracts that remain
in force after January !; discussion
of the need for another school cen
sus; discussion of the need for q
study of the adequacy Of present
facilities; discussion of the possible
need for exploratory committees to
determine budget needs; discussion
of school advisory committees; dis
cussion of a proposed radio program.
and the time and place Of future
meetings.
The Executive Committe of the
Organized Women Voters yesterday
announced passage of resolution
deploring both the motives and
shabby methods of these repudiated
board members" in filing the suit I'm
a last desperate effort to keep them
selves in Office and defeat the clearly
spoken will of the people"
The resolution asserted members
of the old board took the action "in
utter disregard for the welfare Of
the = children of Arlington solely
for the purpose of accomplishing
fheiy. Splfich ends ~