Evening star., 1955-11-15
M.ontgonleryH Hi
On Race Policy!
For Teachers
Failure to Engage
Negroes Is Issue at
Rockville Session

A controversy over the inte-
grafton policies of-the Montgom-
cry County Board Of Education
was brewing today. as both inte-
grationists and segregationists
mustered forces to de man d
changes from the current pro-
gram.
A preview Of the dispute was
staged last night. when more
than 200 persons appeared at q
board meeting IN Rockville. The
session was moved from the
board Offices to the Circuit Court
to accommodate the crowd.
A series Of speakers. all Of
whom had requested time to air
grievances, attacked DR.. Forbes
n. Norris, superintendent Of
schools. for refusing to hire quail
ified Negro teachers In the face
OF critical teacher shortages In
tlee county school system.
assooges'' Assailed
When the scheduled speakers
concluded their talks. John Har-
rell Of Rockville arose and
shouted, Il demand Dr.. Norris be
given the right to defend him-
self" He charged the speakers
were "stooges from the District. "
Also demanding time to speak
were Everette Severe of Kensing-
ton, who identified himself as
treasurer Of the Montgomery
County Chapter Of the Maryland
Petition Committee, and o. w.
Anderson, president Of the
county Farm Bureau.
willard q. McGraw, board
chairman, explained that the
board would hear them at q fu-
ture meeting. Meanwhile. 1t was
learned that pro-integration
forces would ask for representa-
ton ct the same meeting.
Last nights session was spear
headed by the Montgomery
County chapter Of the National
Association for the Advancement
Of Col0red People which chal-
lenged DR.. Norris explanation
for not hiring Negro teachers for
white schools this year.
1T Is 3 wise policy Z DR.. Nor
ris told the NAACP in Eeptem-
ber. TO place individuals In stu
ations where they win have al
reasonable chance to succeed. !"
Policy Violation Charged
Alphonse Lee, NAACP secre-
tary, said DR.. Norris stand vio-
lated the board policy. announced
In March, that .'employment and
placement of all personnel shall
be based on relative merit estab-
hshed BY personal and profess
sioIal qualifications.
DR.. Norris was quoted by one
speaker as declaring that the six
Negro teachers who are teaching
in down-county inteEratedI
schools are succeeding in their
work.
John d. Rice, chairman Of the
Montgomery County chapter OF
the American Veterans COM
mittee, said Or. Norris told the
Montgomery County Committee
of the National Conference Of
Christians and Jews on octo-
Der ~:
Negro teachers in schools for
merly attended by white pupils
only are doing very well. INCLUDE
ing q Negro teacher who has all
white pupils. The white teach
ers have accepted the Negro
teachers and pupils very well and
the Negro teachers participate
wen in the PTAs.'s.
L
Sees Quality Injured
mr.. Rice, asserting that some
of us feel that the quality Of
education Is going doWnhill inl
Montgomery County asked the
board to explain why II white |
teachers, who lack both degrees
and experience, were hired this
fall.
Norman II. Ctristeller, speak |
ing for the School Action COM
mittee Of the Christ Congrega-
tional Church, Silver Spring,
declared the ban on new Negro
teachers IS ..unwise, unjust and
unfortunate. and said thel
board has given the impression
of an abdication' Of control over
the integration program.
MRS. william Gilrnartin, chair
man of the Integration Conn
nittee Of the League Of Women
Voters Of Montgomery County.
raped the hiring OF the none
degree teachers and added: The
league would like to now II these
teachers are considered to have
q reasonable chance to succeed.
The board took no action on
integration policy. postponing
discussion Of the issue until
hearing the additional speakers
ut a future meeting.
In 4 short business session the
board voted, 4-3. to reject thel
creation OF q bonus system to |
speed up construction Of schools.
The first such bonus would have
involved the william e. Craner
Co, which is building the $2.2
million Walter johnson High |
School In Bethesda. The school
Is scheduled for completion No
avember N, 1856. The bonus pro-
r,Dsal called for q $500 reward
dk the building were ready fOrl
occupancy by September /.
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