Evening star., 1951-12-06
Groups Voice
Concern Over
Board Methods
'Objeetive' Approach
Asked in Weighing
Corning Services


Two organizations today called
on the Board of Education to use
an objective approach in evaluat-
ing the services of School Supt
Hobart M. Corning during its de-
liberations as to whether he
should be reappointed March /.
The Central Labor Union de-
clared it was concerned with the
apparent dispute between DR.
Corning and Adelbert w. Lee, vice
president of the school board. The
union group said it felt the per-
sonal dispute might draw atten-
tion from the main matter at
hand - whether DR.. Corning
should be reappointed.
The Elementary Classroom
Teachers Association voiced con-
Germ over the reported methods
being used in the evaluation of
DR.. Corning's administration.
The teachers association, repre-
senting white schools, said it
questioned the desirability of
sending anonymous questionnaires
to DR.. Corning's Subordinates.
These questionnaires, sent by the
School Boards Personnel Com
mittee, were designed to get the
opinions of the other school Of
Hnar~ an Tn. Tnrriyan
Teachers Letter.
The letter from the teachers
association, sent to c. Melvin
Sharpe, president of the School
Board. follows:
THE Elementary Classroom
Teachers Association of the Dis
trict of Columbia. Division I,
wishes to express concern on the
reported methods being used in
the evaluation of DR.. Corning'S
administration.
First, we feel that the person.
mel of the Evaluating Committee
should be free from prejudice and
partiality. This committee should
be able to use an objective ap-
proach in its evaluation of the
superintendent's administration,
thereby, insuring the confidence
of the community and the teach
ing profession.
Second. that if questionnaires
are sent to any school officers. we
feel that all school levels should
be represented - elementary
schools through the teachers col
leges. We question the desirability
of sending anonymous question
naires.
The elementary classroom
teachers are proud of the progress
that has been made in the six
years that DR.. Corning has been
the superintendent. For example
his appointment of DR.. Carl F.
Hansen as associate superintend-
ent in charge Of elementary
schools. division !, has made
possible inspirational. dynamic
and democratic leadership for our
elementary field.
Attention should be directed
to the revision of the curriculum
and the publication of five courses
of study, the in-service program
for teachers and officers, the pro-
posed changes in teacher rating.
the current efforts to establish
stronger civic responsibility in our
pupils and the passage of teacher
welfare legislation covering salary
increases, tenure, sick leave, and
the adoption of the single salary
scale for teachers.
1--WE sincerely hope that you
will give these comments your
thoughtful consideration"
Labor Unions Comments.
The Central Labor Union letter
also sent to Mr.. Sharpe, follows
1.-THE Washington Central Labor
Union views with concern the cur
rent dispute between a member
of the Board of Education and the
superintendent of schools. The
Central Labor Union feels thai
this personal dispute may draw
attention away from the rea.
problem at present before the
Board of Education-decision on q
course of action regarding the su-
perintendent of schools-whethel
to replace him or to re-employ
him for another three-year term
when his present term expires In
March, 1852.
THE Central Labor Union be-
lieves that the Board of Education
should adopt. and set forth pub
licly, an outline of standards by
which to evaluate the work o1
the superintendent of schools
and then to determine the fitnes.
of the incumbent, or of any othel
applicant, in terms of these
standards. Their decision shoulc
not be influenced by personal OF
irrelevant factors, such as the
methods used by one member O.
the board to help him form hi.
own poinion. (ThiS member, in.
cidentally, has announced that h,
will not accept reappointment tt
the Board of Education on tn,
close of his present term, June
1882
"The sole question, relative t,
the selection of superintendent
of schools, is whether or not MI
Hobart Corning is the best quail
fled man to serve as superintend
ent of schools in Washington.
'"The Washington Central Labo
Union trusts that the nine mem
bers of the Board of Education
will approach the question objec
lively and render its decision soel
on the basis of the best interest
of the Washington schools"