Evening star., 1951-01-04
DR.. Corning Defends
His 5 Years in Charue
OF District Schools

vi DlSIlIIl JIlIVUN
School Supt. Hobart M. Corning
this afternoon sent to members
fthe Board of Education a de-
tailed defense of his administra-
tion of the city's public schools
during his five years in office.
DR.. Corning told the board
members that he was releasing
the statement to the publis at
the same time as they were re-
ceiving it because of events that
have recently taken place."
This was a reference to recent
charges made by Adelbert w. Lee,
board vice president. Mr.. Lee,
climaxing several years of criti-
cism of DR.. Corning's administra-
ton of the schools. recently de-
clared that the school superin-
tendent had bungled so many
matters that the board should
consider whether he should be
reappointed when his present
three-year term expires in March,
1852.
Criticism Called Unfortunate.
DR.. Corning wrote:
An unfortunate feature of the
present situation is that constant
and recurring criticisms of ad-
ministrative details have been
pubiicized to the extent that they
seem to be the predominating
characteristics of the organization
and administration of the school
system. Because of this, the pub
lie ana it may be the Board of
Education itself. may have lost
sight of the positive phases. fail!
ing thereby to realize what has
been accomplished"
Or. Corning then presented a
detailed analysis of gains made in
schoolhouse construction, the re-
duction of part-time classes, the
raising of teachers pay, the es-
tablishment of sick leave for
teachers with pay and many
changes in the curriculum and in
the administrative organization of
the school system which have led
to better education.
Earlier today, two teacher Or
eanizations came to the defense
Of DIR. Corning and said his lead
ershlp had been excellent, result
ing in many improvements. They
were the Elementary Classroom
Teachers Association and the FL
ementary Principals Association.
Classroom Teachers Letter.
The classroom teachers letter.
addressed to C. Melvin Sharpe,
president of the School Board,
follows:
Dear Mr.. Sharpe:
"The members of the Executive
Board of the Elementary Class
roo mTeachers' Association wish to
express a vote of confidence in the
school administration of DR.. Ho-
bart Corning. We feel that DR..
Corning has justly earned the sup
port of teachers for the many fine
things he has done to improve the
welfare of both children and
teachers since he has become
superintendent of schools.
"Our organization has worked
with DR.. Corning to improve
teaching conditions and on other
matters so that children in our
school system might be better
served. He and his staff have
always been willing to listen to the
point of view of our classroom
teachers. DR.. Corning's confer
ences with us have always made
use of democratic procedures. The
administration and our teachers
group have made much progress
to the advantage of school chill
dren and teachers, and have every
prospect of continuing progress in
these matters. We believe that he
has earnestly endeavored to work
for the public interest.
Say Surveys Were Welcome.
1--WE feel that teachers have had
an opportunity to have a part in
the administration of the school
system due to DR.. Corning's desire
to have democratic participation
in school administration. Teach
ers have been free to participate
in making surveys of the needs of
Our schools. The administration
has welcomed these surveys and is
in constant communication with
us regarding them.
"The teachers in the D. c. Pub
lie Schools have been studying re-
cent trends in child growth and
development which have enlarged
their horizons. This has been en-
couraged and augmented by DR..
Corning and his staff. The in
service training program of the
Superintendent has made avail
able to us the latest information
In the field of education.
This letter is an entirely volun-
tary offering of the Executive
Board of the Elementary Class
room Teachers Association of the
District of Columbia. 1t was not
solicited by any one. This letter
is written in the interest of in
suring DR.. Corning's continued fine
service to the public schools of our
city"
The letter was signed by Max
Rosenfeld, president of the teach
ers' association.
Principals Write to Star.
The principals addressed their
letters to The Evening Star:
To the editor of The Evening Star.
The members of the Elementary
Principals Association are deeply
concerned over the recent publicity
implying a breakdown of officer
morale and a lowering of stand