Evening star., 1951-07-15
A Tendency to Meddie

Under the law appointment of school per-
sonnel rests with the superintendent of Schools
subject to approval by the Board of Education
The board cannot legally initiate such appoint
ments. BY Withholding its approval of the super
tntendent's nomination, however, the board can
substitute its own judgment for that of the sur
perintendent in the selection of one name from
q list of available candidates.
The principle of leaving to the superin
tendent and his staff advisers the selection and
appointment of school personnel is well estab-
ished. 1t is highly desirable principle. While
board of education acts wholly within it's au-
thority in refusing to approve nominee recon-
mended by a superintendent, that refusal should
be based wholly on the boards considered judg
ment that the nominee is for oue reason or an
other unqualified for the job in question.
Last week the boards personnel committee,
which recommends to the board what action the
board should take on the superintendent'S rec
concentrations was split as between two of the
candidates for the important position of assist
ant superintendent of schools in charge of the
colored divisions. While the committees pro-
ceedings are secret, The Star learns that the
superintendents selection, supported by his ad-
ViSerS, is Francis A. Gregory, principal of Arm
strong High School, But at least one member
of the committee favors Ellis o. Knox of Howard
University.
Each of these candidates is doubtless we'll
qualified for the position. In the case of Mr..
Gregory his administration of Armstrong has
been excellent and his career in the Washington
public schools has been marked by distinction.
Mr. Knox is less well known in public school
circles, but like MIR. Gregory he has a fine aca-
demic background The reason he is being sup
ported for the position, however, has little to do
with such qualifications. The reason he is being
supported is that he has taken an active part
in the movement to do away with segregation in
the public schools and was conspicuous in the
fight to transfer the former Central High School
from white to colored. It is evidently felt that
as assistant superintendent he would be an ag-
gressive champion of eliminating segregation in
the school system.
The Star happens to know that Mr.. Gregory
Is also an advocate of eliminating segregation,
and those who have heard him on the subject
are impressed by his quiet eloquence. But as
professional public school educator, he also be-
leves that the campaign for such causes is better
conducted from outside than from the inside OF
the public school system. Once we begin select
ing public school officials because of their advo-
cacy of particular social or political aims and
make this the governing consideration, the public
schools are going to suffer.
The personnel committee and the Board of
Education were wrong in not acting on the SUI
perintendents recommendation when it was
made In delaying that action. we have another
Illustration of regrettable tendency of the
board to meddle and obstruct There has never
been any question of Mr.. Gregorys fitness for
the position. He is, in fact, an extraordinarily
well qualified candidate. The fitness of a can
didate is the only valid consideration before the
Board of Education in approving or disappearing
the choice of the superintendent and his ad
visers. The board should stick to that principle,
and DR. Corning should stick to his guns