Evening star., 1954-05-27
Corning Plan
On Redistricfinq
Stirs Confusion
Some Principals Think
Proposal Effective
At Fall Reopening
By jones 6. Deone

ture Of Supt. Hobart M. Corn.
ing's race-integration plan turned
up today within the District
school system.
A spot-check of principals re-
vealed that some believed the
entire school system is to be re.
districted effective next Septem-
Der, meaning the dropping Of
race bars on a city-wide basis
as soon as school opens.
DR.. Corning has said, on the
contrary, that the redistricting
would not take effect until later,
and that only about 2,700 colored
children would enter 18 specified
white schools in September un-
der his plan.
Wording Confuses.
Confusion among the princi.
pals apparently stems from word
ing of the written plan submitted
Tuesday to the Board of Educa-
ton by DR.. Corning.
In this plan, DR.. Corning pro-
posed that schedule be set
up providing by September.
1854, for the establishment OF
new boundaries for all schools"
He also proposed that all new
pupils and pupils being promot-
ed from grade school to junior
high or Junior to senior high,
as well as those moving from
one neighborhood to another, be
admitted to school strictly in
accordance with these new boun-
daries, once they took effect.
After Tuesdays board meet
ing the superintendent, and
other top school officers as well,
told reporters they did not in
tend for this new boundary sys-
tenn to be effective when school
opens DR.. Corning said that
thousands of children would
have to be shuffied if it did, and
that the schools couldn't be
ready for this in time.
Apparently this Qualification
wasn't passed on to many of the
principals. Yesterday DR.. Corn
ing read his written plan to a
meeting of all school principals,
but without any added explana-
tionS.
No Questions Asked.
The principals, on motion Of
Hugh Smith of Jefferson Junior
High, gave the superintendent a
rising vote of confidence on the
plan and then left, without ask
ing questions.
Today several told The Star
they believed the new boundaries
would take effect Immediately on
the fall opening of school and
that consequently many new
colored pupils would be entering
white schools in addition to the
specified 2,700.
Some Board of Education
members have already said they
strongly favor immediate redis-
tricting. And it appeared pos
sible school officials might re-
consider the timing question and
come up with a recommendation
to carry out the Corning plan as
it reads, rather than as the su-
perintendent now intends.
Remain for Graduation.
Besides the districting ques-
ton, the other major feature OF
the Corning plan is proposal
to let present pupils remain in
their present schools until grad
uation, even if they don't live
within the new boundaries.
There is some opposition to
this gradual integration step
within the school board, but a
check of members indicates it
has a fair chance of being &C
cepted.
Almost all principals inter-
viewed said they favored imme-
diate redistricting. All. both
white and colored. also said they
strongly favored permitting
most students to remain where
they are.
The proviso, in the case Of
students wanting to remain. but
not living within the new boun-
daries. is that they would be re-
quired to move if pupils within
the boundaries needed the space.
No Public Stand Taken.
A majority of the School Board
has not yet taken a stand pub
licly on the redistricting ques-
ton. 1t is expected to be the
top subject when the board
meets at 2 pm. Wednesday to
debate the superintendent'S plan.
If the board should decide to
order complete. redistrictiug by
September, at the same time
keeping the proposed rule per-
mitting most present students to
remain where they are. officials
probably would try to ask stu
dents before the present term
ends on June II whether they
wish to remain in present schools.
Parents already are bombard-
ing principals and school officials
with questions about fall plans.
Beside the districting prob
lem, DR.. Corning said, the school
system would have difficulty
transferring furniture and other
school supplies. if the board or
dered city-wide integration for
next fall. Both more money and
more trucks might be needed, he
said.