Evening star., 1954-05-25
DC. teachers
Reassured on
Job Rights
Corning Speaks at
Bi-RucioI Meeting
OF Teaching Stoff

The Districts $500 public
school teachers today had a
promise from Supt. Hobart M,
Corning that their job rights will
be respected in a racially inte-
grated school system.
DR.. Corning made the promise
at a bi-racial meeting Of half OF
the school systems teachers,
principals and officials in Nc
Kinley High School yesterday.
A Board of Education commit
tee has already drawn up a
statement promising to base all
employe transfers. promotions
and ratings solely upon merit.
Second Session Today.
DR.. Corning spoke at the first
Of two programs winding up a
series of teacher workshops on
intergroup education. The Sec
ond session was set for today
also at Mckinley. DR.. Ethel Alp
enfels. anthropologist from New
York University. was the main
speaker for both sessions.
DIR. Alpenfels made no direct
reference to the forthcoming
ending Of school race segrega-
ton. but urged teachers to help
children and parents understand
each other and mankind's COM
mon origin.
DR.. William E. Vickery, educa-
tional director of the National
Conference Of Christians and
Jews. summarized the workshop
series and efforts of the school
system to increase inter-racial
understanding.
He said workshop groups have
proposed, in connection with
racial integration. that the school
board adopt a clear statement
of policy. that all school per-
sonnel be informed of this poll
icy. that the support Of churches
and civic groups be sought and
that sustained educational
courses on intergroup relations
be set up for children and adults
both within and outside the
schools.
Warning on RumOrs.
DR.. Corning. in an Introductory
statement. urged school employees
to disregard any rumors, should
they be circulated" regarding
loss of job rights. Teachers can
have confidence, he declared,
that the rights, tenure and
otherwise of individuals will be
respected within the framework
OF the new organization"
"The recent unanimous ruling
Of the Supreme Court Of the
United States presents a chal-
lenge to each one Of us and to
all OF us as a group" DR., Corn
ing told the teachers. "By that
ruling, the long established pat
tern of school organization in
Washington on a dual basis is
abolished and in its place a new
type Of organization is estab-
lished-one in which the schools
are to be administered in all re-
spects without reference to race
or color.
Challenge in Situation.
'The challenge to us lies in the
fact that it is our responsibility
to establish a smooth, orderly
and effective transition of the
schools of Washington in ac-
cordance with the courts ruling.
1t is expected and required that
each one Of us in our various ca
pacities do everything within
our power to make the new plan
work." the superintendent added.
DR.. Corning said heexpects tire
transition to be accomplished
In normal ana natural way.
but he added:
"The transition will not be
easy-many administrative deci-
sions are yet to be made. Many
problems will be encountered. It
is never easy to change a social
pattern which has long been
established"
The superintendent said he has
seen evidence, since the courts
decision, that teachers are ready
to carry out the court mandate.
He said the change will require
not merely passive acceptance
but "a lot of positive doing" on
the part of school employees.