Evening star., 1948-11-24
New School Post
May GET Court
Test in Arlington
Green Sees Challenge
To Naming Of Broun
By Education Board
By Robert G. RoIinqs

Legality of the Arlington School
Boards appointment of an associate
superintendent of schools today ap-
peared headed for determination by
educational authorities or the courts
or both.
Appointment of Edward j. Braun,
for several months consultant to
the School Board, as associate
superintendent was questioned last
night by County Treasurer John
Locke Green and Commemorative
Attorney Denman T Rucker The
appointment was made at the
School Boards meeting on Novem-
Der II.
A possibility that the multi
million-dollar construction program
OF the School Board might be held
up was seen in the developments.
The School Board, however, gave
general approval to a plan submit
ted by Mr.. Braun, and approved by
School Supt. Fletcher Kemp, call
ing for construction of additions to-
falling 20 rooms at three elementary
schools and the building of five new
elementary schools.
State Unit OK's Appointments
The construction would be fin
anced by two bond issues already
approved by county voters. The
first, amounting to S1,776,000, was
voted in May. 1947 and sold last
month. and the second, totaling
$4,750.0O0, was passed November 2.
Gn Richmond yesterday, the
State Board of Education ap-
proved the appointment of ad-
ministrative officers, including
assistant division superintendents
of schools, for Arlington and
Loudoun Counties. among others.
The State body ruled the local
boards may make such appoint
ments without State approval, the
Associated Press reported.
(Attorney General j. Lindsay
Almond, jr, has held that posi-
ton such as assistant superin-
tendent of schools could be
authorized by regulation Of the
State board, with the same effect
as if provided for by act of the
General Assembly,
Mr.. Green, who actively opposed
the S4,750,000 bond issue during the
recent campaign, appeared at last
nights meeting and said that all
warrants to pay for school construc-
tion must be properly and legally
drawn" before he would approve
them as county treasurer.
Sees Court Test.
Mr.. Green then asked Mr.. Kemp
if he had approved Mr.. Braun's ap-
pointment and the delegation Of
authority over certain school mat
ters to him.
|, Before ME Kemp could answer.
School Board Chairman Barnard
Joy interjected. Just minute-the
board will take care of the legal
band administrative end"
'''We'l test that in court when the
proper time comes" Mr.. Green
said.
The county treasurer then asked.
How can the board delegate au-
thority to Mr.. Braun which prop
erly comes under the superintendent
of schools?"
Mr.. Green's question was ignored
and the board proceeded to set on
the construction program.
Quotes Rucker Letter.
Mr.. Kemp quoted letter from
Mr.. Rucker as saying that the
School Board cannot assign these
duties to an associate school super
intendent." The Commemorative
attorney referred to a resolution
adopted by the board which as
signed to Mr.. Braun responsibility
for maintenance and operation Of
the school plant, construction Of
new buildings, purchase and dis
tribution of equipment and supplies,
the school budget, control and &C
counts of schools funds, and other
administrative functions that are
not directly related to the educa-
tional functions Of the school sys-
tenn"
Since an expenditure of public
funds is imminent" Mr.. Kemp
quoted MIR. Rucker as writing, 1T
would be appropriate to withhold
such expenditures until the estate
Board of Education has an oppor-
tunity to clarity the matter"