Evening star., 1952-01-15
Montgomery Board
Acts in Truck Use
BY School Employees

OF Education acted last night to
prevent any further Improper
practices" by board employees, as
revealed in Circuit Court last week.
but at the same time refused to
lose our heads"
The board ordered, on recon-
mendation of Assistant School
Supt. Richard E. Carpenter, that
no board truck be kept overnight
at the home of an employe. Here
after. all trucks will be kept on
the board parking lot.
Last nights action grew out of
testimony revealed at the trial last
week In Rockville Of Melvin r.
Nicholson, board carpenter fores
man on a charge Of malfeasance.
Mr.. Nicholson was acquitted.
After his acquittal, however,
Chief Judge Charles w. Wood
ward admonished the board to
clean up Shocking" situation
disclosed during the trial.
Equipment Foreman Released.
The board last night also an
nounced that Sidney S.. Connell,
jr., heavy equipment foreman with
the board, is to be released from
his job February J.. /
Mr.. Connell's testimony during
the trial that he had allowed Mr..
Nicholson and other employees to
use county -owned trucks, although
he lacked such authority, brought
a blistering attack from Judge
Woodward.
In announcing the dismissal the
board pointed out that it's action
had been taken late last month,
prior to the courtroom testimony.
Board Member Thomas S. Jack
son told the board that despite
recent events he did not think
Eve should lose our heads"
Every one with whom I have
come in contact among board en-
|ployes," he said, ''has had as much
integrity as l."
Private Work Rule Cited.
The board pointed out that a
rule already exists prohibiting
board supervisory employees from
using subordinates to do private
work for them without obtaining
permission from the superin-
|tendent. It refused to take any
further action on the matter.
School Supt. Edwin w. Broome
announced last night that an Air
Force ROTC unit will be estab-
lished at Montgomery Junior Col
lege next month.
The announcement followed
approval by the board of a pro-
posed agreement between the
college and the University of
Maryland.
Under terms of the agreement
from so to rs students at the
college will take ROTC training
from II am. to 1880 pm. every
Tuesday and Thursday at the
university.
Free Textbooks, Uniforms.
According to H. q. Price, dean
of the junior college. students will
receive their textbooks and uni
forms free.
The board will join with the
County Council on February 2 on
a tour Of county school areas for
an on-the-spot study of physical
problems and the growth of the
school-age population.
In other action last night, the
board approved an amended con-
tract with the Government on its
Electricians Mate School; ap-
proved the beginning Of negotia-
tions for II acres ofiland for the
new Weller Road Elementary
School site; approved hiring oil
an architect to draw up specifica-
tions for completion of q recrea-
ton room in the basement oil
Chevy Chase Elementary School
and heard a request for permis-
sion for the Gideons to distribute
New Testaments in county schools.
Last nights meeting was the
f1rst in series to be held in vari-
Gus school areas. Held at the
Montgomery Junior College, It'll
was presided overly Mrs. Ben B. |
Baylor, jr.
The next regular meeting will
be held Monday In Rockville. Onl
January 81 the board will meet ati
the Montgomery Blair High
School.
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