Evening star., 1951-01-11
How the Corninq-Lee Feud Affects School Board
By Colt HendIey, Jr.

pdfIIuent HaQ Deen WORKING Win
school officials on the matter.
Adelbert w. Lee, board vice
president and chairman of the
Personnel Committee, suddenly
lashed out at the school superin-
tendent:
you do not have a legal right
to speak to a committee unless
given permission. You are hereby
given permission
Cannon Takes Up Battle.
The remark was passed over by
other board members for a short
time. DR.. Corning, stunned by the
comment, kept quiet. Then DR..
James A. Cannon, his main sup
port on the board, took up the
battle.
THE rules of the board are that
the superintendent shall have a
seat on the board and the right to
speak but not to vote, " he declared.
A committee meeting is part of
the board. Nothing in the rules
says that DR.. Corning can't speak.
1t is absurd to say that the super
intendent hasn't the right to come
forward with suggestions. BY all
means he has the right to speak. !"
Mr.. Lee answered: THAT is true
if you interpret a committee
meeting of the board. However, a
committee meeting is not board
function"
I'm going to introduce resolu-
ton saying he can," DR.. Cannon
retorted.
Others Comment.
Albert E. Steinem. another board
member. commented, 1T should be
an understood fact that he should
have the right to speak"
But, DR.. Phillip T. johnson,
another board member. came in
with: Il can see why the superin-
tendent shouldn't be at or speak
at certain committee meetings" "
''It's an absurd thing to say he
can't speak," DR.. Cannon said
again.
This exchange occurred last
December 6.
At the next meeting of the
Board Of Education, students from
Anacostia High School and the
Giddings Elementary School sang
Christmas carols. DR.. Cannon an
nounced the Christmas spirit had
reached him and he would refrain
from fighting with Mr.. Lee. He
said he would not introduce his
resolution and let the matter ride.
Incident One of Many.
The incident was only one of
many between Mr.. Lee and DR..
Corning. Theirs has been a stand
ing feud which has rocked the
board.
Cumulative effects have been
felt. MIR. Lee has stated publicly
that the board should consider
whether DR.. Corning should be
reappointed as superintendent. DIR.
Corning's present three-year term
expires in March, 1852. Mr.. Lee
is determined to attempt to fire
DR.. Corning.
DR.. Cannon has lost the Christ
mas spirit. A showdown is ex-
pected between Mr.. Lee and DR..
Cannon at the next board meet
ing. scheduled for January II.
What's Back of Row.
The conflict is the outgrowth of
a basic difference of opinion on
the nature of DR.. Corning's duties,
as well as on how we'll he is at
tending to those duties.
The personality key to the pres
ent situation appears to be the
controversial, mercurial Mr.. Lee
He has been clashing with DR..
Corning almost from the day the
educator came to Washington five
years ago from Omaha. Neb.
However, the board as a whole ap-
parently is committed to dealing
with every detail of school admin
istration.
A generally admitted fact is
that the board does not leave
much for DR.. Corning to decide.
Many Detailed Reports.
He and his staff spend much of
their time preparing detailed re-
ports for board meetings on every
conceivable phase of the school
operation. Each board meeting
hears at least one special report
or study requested of DR.. Corning.
This is in addition to regular re-
ports that must be prepared on
routine matters.
In 1948, DR.. George D. Strayer,
of Columbia University. conducted
a 100000 survey of the District
school system for Congressional
committee. DR.. Strayer blasted the
DUAL u VI GuuCdGlOl1 1ol ltc o1SelSo.
He said the methods of the
board were "time-wasting" and
needed complete reorganization.
His criticism was centered on the
unfortunate" situation that the
board "has taken over the ad-
ministrative responsibilities" of it's
superintendent. There is no clear
distinction between policy and
staff administration, he declared.
worrying Over Details."-
1.-The board does not have the
time to spend on big, important
things because they are worrying
over details" he continued. If
they can't trust the superintend-
ent to pick proper textbooks, they
should fire him and find man
they can trust"
The school board, at present,
spends endless hours going over
recommendations made by DR..
Corning on appointments and pro-
root;oyc IF cohool r,orSopno1 Those