Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-06-10
Peters Says Decision
Not 10 Rehire Ross Is
Excuse for Attacks
Speeiol Disposeh 10 The S,or

| MANAOoAo, va, JuilC ~
School Supt. r. Worth Peters de-
clared today that his decision not
to reappoint Ian H. Ross as princi-
pal of Osbourn High School and
Bennett Elementary School here
had been used as IAN excuse to
jump on the School Board and the
superintendent"
The decision has stirred wide
spread criticism Of Mr.. Peters and
led DR.. Floyd M. Riddick, president
of the Manassas Parent Teacher
Association to call a special meet
ing of his organization at $3.50 pm.
Monday in the courthouse. so
members can discuss the matter.
Mr.. Ross. native of England
and for several years a special
services officer in the Army. has
been principal here for two years.
He bought a home in Manassas
recently and was notified June 2
that his contract with the School
Board will not be renewed.
No Question of Charges.
Mr.. Peters. who Is division su-
perintendent of public schools in
Prince William County. said he
and Mr.. Ross were I'm full accord
on the situation" adding:
There Is no question of charges
against him and Mr.. Ross will ask
for no bill of particulars. 1t is
case Of professional disagreement,
a disagreement between us in re-
gard to professional administra-
tive policies.
There are no personal differ
ences and we are still the best of
friends. The action is being used
as an excuse to jump on the
School Board and the superin-
tendent once again." Gsff}|< +5E
Mr.. Ross declined to comment
on the matter. except to say that
Supt. Peters had assigned reasons
for the dismissal.
Late Notification Cited.
The superintendent conceded
today that June 2 was later than
usual" to notify a principal that
his contract would not be re-
newed for the next school year.
For that reason" said Mr..
Peters, IT recommended that the
School Board extend the contract
through August 81. That was
done"
The dismissal is the subject of
conversation everywhere in Ma
nassas. 1t has been responsible
for a mass meeting in which so
citizens urged that Mr.. Ross be
reappointed. and 1t prompted the
PTA meeting called by DR.. Rid
dick.
Both Supt. Peters and Mr.. Ross
will be invited to the meeting
Monday. DR.. Riddick said. The
principal will not be asked to par
ticipate in the discussion, how
ever. unless specific charges are
leveled against him, the president
added. He said:
mfr. Peters will be asked to ex-
plain fully the reasons for his
action. Those who approve and
those who disapprove of Mr..
Peters action will be given equal
opportunity to express their
views"
Supervisors Meet.
Supt. Peters said he had not
heard of plans for the PTA meet
ing.
The Prince william Board of
Supervisors debated at a meeting
yesterday a proposal to seek a
change in the manner in which
the County School Board is
chosen.
At present. the Circuit Court
judge appoints a School Trustee
Electoral Board, which in turn
names the members of the School
Board. This body picks the di-
vision superintendent.
The superintendent dominates
principals to the School Board.
In the case Of Osbourn and Ben
nett schools. MIR. Peters withheld
recommendations, 50 that the
board had no name on which to
act.
The Board of Supervisors took
no action on the proposal to
change the school trustee election
method.