Evening star., 1951-06-19

leSSened materially by the driver
training programs in various cities.
Senator Ferguson brought out
that the Commissioners at first
had disapproved the extra teach
erS for the driver training pro-
gram and that it was not in the
House bill. Mr.. Fowler explained
that this was because there had
been a change in the Board OF
Commissioners with the appoint
ment of two new members, r. Jo-
lseph Donohue and Col. Bernard
Robinson, Engineer Commissioner,
The new board, he said. had con-
cluded the items should be rec
commended.
DR.. Corning pleaded for the res
toration of $162, 300 to permit the
employment of 80 additional
teachers in the colored schools
He said these were necessary to
raise the teacher-pupil ratio to the
standards followed in the other
schools. Because of increased en-
rollment in the colored schools,
he explained, the classes there
have more pupils per teacher than
in the white schools.
More Cardoza Teachers Asked.
| DR.. Garnet C. Wilkinson, who
lis retiring as assistant Superin-
tendent in charge of colored
schools, asked funds for the en-
ployment Of four additional teach
ers at the Cardozo High School.
DR.. Wilkinson won praise from
Senators Hill and Ferguson on his
service in the 40 years he has been
in the school system.
| A sharp attack was made by
Senator Ferguson on the request
of DR.. Corning for $108, 1000 to set
up a centralized management and
financial system for ..le schools
lathletic and health programs.
Discussion brought o.t that this
request was initiated by the Bates
subcommittee of the House. 1t was
based on report, confidential un-
til recently, which DR.. Corning had
prepared at the direction of the
Bates subcommittee.
For this purpose, the House ap-
proved an outlay of $4,000. Un-
der the scheme, all of the receipts
from the school games would go
into the Treasury to the credit of
the District.
Funds Called insufficient.
DR.. Corning favored the idea
but said $4,000 would not be suffi-
cient because it did not allow for
the cost OF seven management of
Ificials nor for approximately $18,-
1000 which must be allowed for in
surance and medical attention to
cover accidents occurring at ath-
Iletic contests.
Senator Ferguson protested 1--WE
can go only so far. The taxpayers
can pay only so much. I dare say
you could raise your requested ap-
preparations for the schools by To-
fold. The question is, cen the tax
payer afford it?"
The Michigan Senator added
that he thought it would be better
If the community paid for such
programs.
He told DR.. Corning the schools
had gotten along for many years
without centralized management
of its athletic program, and asked
why the schools couldn't 60 on
that way.
DR.. Corning agreed that it could
Senator Hill commented that
the District had "a very tight
budget" He asked why the ath-
letic program could not be put on
a self-liquidating basis without
raising the price of tickets for the
games too much.
DR.. Corning replied that the
athletic program was not an extra
curricular activity but was an in
ltegral part of the school program
AS such, he said, he thought it de-
served public support.
In justification of the requested
fund, DR.. Corning also stressed
that more than just the inter-
school games was involved. He
said there was also the health pro-
gram in all of the schools. which
includes health instruction, safety
and first aid programs.
AdnKnfinaa ~ A,an.,iGn4in..