Evening star., 1950-02-02
Miss McAu|iffe
Approved, Takes
Sousa Post Soon
School Board Votes,
5 to |, for Corning's S
Choice as Principal
BY Colt Henley, Jr.

mind by the Board of Education,
which gave her the job.
The school board yesterday
voted 5 to l in favor of Miss Nc
>~~~~------ ------------->-~
Board Defers Action on Centrol High
School Shift. Pose As
Further study Of high school eodet corps
underway. Page 81.
Auliffe, now the assistant princi-
pal at the Paul JUNIOR High
School. Those members who
changed their votes stated School
Supt. Hobart M. Corning has
cleared up "confusions" that ex-
listed previously.
1t was revealed during the
meeting that DR.. Corning has un-
dertaken a study. which might
lead to a. complete revision of the
system used in examining and
rating teachers and school off,
GERS. At present the systems used
by the white and colored schools
differ in some respects.
Lee Cast Opposition Vote.
Adelbert w. Lee, chairman Of
the boards personnel committee.
again voted against Miss Nc
Auliffe. He said board rules max
ing the Personnel Committee ses-
sions secret prevented him from
divulging his reasons.
DR.. Phillip T. johnson, who
voted against Miss McAuliffe pre-
viously. refrained from voting.
Those changing their minds were
Mrs. Edward c. Madgeburger, Al
bert E. Steinem and Mrs. James
w. Williams. c. Melvin Sharpe.
board president. who had not
voted previously because he was
the presiding officer, missed yes
terday's meeting. owing to illness
in his family. DR.. James A. Gan
non, the vice president. conducted
the session and was not called
on to vote. He had supported Miss
McAuliffe.
After the board had approved
Miss McAuliffe for the principal
ship. Mr.. Lee stated that "im-
proper divulgence of confidential
information" had caused grave
injustice" to the three candidates.
Report Published.
He referred to the printing by
the newspapers of a report DR..
Corning made to the Personnel
Committee behind closed doors.
This report gave the standings of
the candidates as. determined by
the Board of Examiners.
The Personnel Committee yes
terday debated the McAuliffe case
behind closed doors for nearly
two hours before the open board
meeting.
The meeting room of the Board
OF Education at Franklin Admins
tration Building, Thirteenth and K
streets NV. was overf1owing, as
nearly 200 persons attempted to
get in Many stood in the halls.
Most of them were there, however,
to hear the board discuss the pro-
posal to transfer Central High
School to the use of colored stu
dents-a matter which was post
poned for two weeks.
When the favorable vote for Miss
McAuliffe was announced wave
OF applause swept the crowd.
Takes Duties Soon.
DR.. Corning said Miss McAuliffe
will assume her duties as soon as
possible. The appointment went
into effect Immediately but she
will have to wind up her work at
Paul Junior High School. The
new Sousa Junior High is sehed-
uled to be opened some time this
When Miss McAuliffe was noti-
fed of her appointment, she said
only:
I'm very proud and very happy.
l appreciate the support given me
oy my friends and others"
Congratulations Offered.
Miss McAuliffe's office at Paul
Junior High School took on a
festive air this morning as flow-
ers, kilograms and other messages
Of congratulations arrived. The
faculty presented one vase. others
came from friends and included
a corsage.
I've received a great many ex-
pressions of confidence" Miss
McAuliffe said.
She said Sousa was a fine school
and it was a great privilege" to
be the first principal. SShe was
still at her old job and didn't
know exactly when she would
move over to Sousa. Probably in
day or so. she explained.
Before the school board took its
vote William j. Smith, chairman
If community citizens group"
rom Southeast Washington, ad-
dressed the board in support of
another candidate, John D.
koontz, assistant principal at
Kramer Junior High School.