Evening star., 1949-03-03
Dr.. Straye' Asks
Board
Reorganization
AssoiIs Time Wasting
Administrative Setup
In Final Report
By Colt HendIey, Jr.

The Board of Education's oper-
ating methods were criticized as
time wasting" and reorganiza-
ton of it and the whole school
administration setup was called
for in the final section of the
Strayer report which was released
by Congress today.
The 2,000-page. 15-volume re-
port also aSSailed ''Wasteful
practices" which put Washing .
tons cost of operating a school
building far above the average for
the rest of the country.
The author of the report, DR..
George D. Strayer of Columbia
University, was hired by Congress
to make the 100000 survey Of
school needs here. The first sec
ton on building needs was re-
leased several months ago and
advocated immediate expenditure
of nearly $38,000,000 for new
school construction.
In general. Washington has
good schools" DR.. Strayer said.
But, just as certainly they ought
to be far better"
He summed up his report this
way:
"The outstanding needs of the
schools here are the reduction Of
the size of classes, better pay for
teachers and enough classrooms
TO take care of the children"
Cost Estimated.
To do this-and carry out his
detailed program which touches
on every phase of the public
school system here-Dr. Strayer
estimated that to the current
school operating budget (Which
does not include money for con-
struction) of $20,037, 900 should be
added $3,315,266 for a minimum
job" For an acceptable job,"
$3.933,798 should be tackled on and
if school officials want "defens.
ible educational program" the ad-
ditional amount would total $4,-
618,868. the report said.
In addition, assuming a Federal
loan would be obtained for the
$38 100000 in construction pre-
viously recommended, there would
be added to the budget $5,000,-
600 for yearly payments on the
loan.
| DR.. Strayer's report called for:
New plants for Miner and vii.
son Teachers Colleges-estimated
to cost $10,0O0,O0O for buildings
alone-plus a 400 per cent in
crease in the budgets of the two
colleges and an expansion of the
faculty and the academic pro-
gram.
A $3.50 immediate cost-of-liv-
ing raise for teachers; a revamp-
ing upward of the present salary
scale for teachers and for ad-
ministrative officers; operation of
the school cafeterias by the
Board of Education under a CEN
tral cafeteria management; aIsick
leave plan for teachers.
An improvement in the school
libraries which are mot up to
standards" set by the American
Library Association; abolishment
of examinations for prospective
teachers and creation of hiring
policy based on credentials; estab-
lishment of a central storage
warehouse for school supplies.
Would Abolish Committees.
DR.. Strayer's criticism of the
Board of Education was centered
on the unfortunate" situation
that the board has taken over ad-
ministrative responsibilities" from
School Supt. Hobart M. Corning.
There is no clear distinction
between policy and staff admin
istration of policy" he declared.
THE board does not have time
to spend on big, important things
because they are worrying over
details"
He advocated abolishing the
committee system of the school
board and have the group oper-
ate as committee of the whole.
Only policy matters should be
handled.
IF they can't trust the school
superintendent to pick proper
textbooks, they should fire him
and find a man they can trust"
he said.
The reorganization of the ad-
ministrative staff would give DR..
Corning two depty school super
intendents, one for the colored
and one for the white schools.
Continued on Page AS, Col. p