Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-22

Puts Aside 12-Year Plan
In effect, the reports put asid,
the recommendation of its 49,
member Citizens Advisory Com
mittee, calling for a gradual ap
proach to desegregation undel
which pupils would be int
grated over a 12-year period.
Word that the board would re-
lease a statement leaked out yes
terday, with the result that
group Of go persons appeared a
last nights board meeting.
There was little reaction from
their spokesman after the state
ment was read by Mr.. McGrav
because. they said, the vital tim
ing question was not answered.
1.-THE board is not ready tx
make that decision" said Mr.
McGraw. This is a basic start
it's not the last word"
2 Members Cement
Only two members commented
on the report, which calls fol
almost complete indignation oncs
a program is initiated.
Lathrop E. Smith said he
believed indignation need moi
await further Supreme Court
ruling, but added that he believed
this matter will have resolved
itself by September"
Harrison C. King, of Laytons.
vile, attempted to amend the
policy so that minority groups
could be permitted to go to the
next nearest school during theil
period of adjustment" Wylie B
Barrow asked: Suppose there's
a problem In the next nearest
school?"
Mr.. Kings amendment failed
for want of o second.
The Boards Statement
Following is the text of the
Statement of policy approved BY
the Board of Education:
"In recognition of the Supreme
Court ruling of May II. 1854
that segregation in public Schoo
education is unconstitutional
the Montgomery County Board
of Education affirms its intention
to proceed to integrate the public
school system of Montgomery
County in an orderly and just
manner.
In so doing, the Board Of
Education also acknowledges the
moral and democratic implica-
tons of the ruling, and regards
compliance as an opportunity te
extend all of its educational pro-
grams and facilities to all the
children on an impartial basis.
1.-THE Board of Education i:
making a study and analysis oil
the problems involved in deseg-
regation, of the report of the
Citizens Advisory Committee az
well as the minority reports re-
ceived from the members of thai
committee, and of the materials
and communications received BY
the Board of Education and its
members.
Lists Basic Principles
"In order to develop a plan oil
operation for the desegregatior
of the public schools of Mont
gomery County to be put in oper-
alton when the legal obstacles
have been removed, the board
adopts the following basic prin-
ciples:
81. Upon receipt Of a ruling OF
advice from the attorney general
of the State of Maryland that
there is no legal barrier existing
in Maryland to the indignation
of all students in public schools
the Board of Education will in
struct its superintendent to
place in operation its program OF
indignation.
20. The primary consideration
Of the public schools shall con-
tinue to be the educational needs
of the pupils.
"3. The same policy OF in
tegration shall prevail through
out the county. provided, how
ever. the superintendent, with
the approval of the board, shall
have discretion to vary the tim
ing of indignation as conditions
warrant.
a. The indignation of Board
of Education employees shall be
accomplished at the same time
as the indignation Of pupils.
rs. Employment and placement
of all personnel shall be based
on relative merit established BY
personal and professional quail
iflcations for the requirements Of
any particular vacancy.
IS. School distrist lines shall
be drawn without regard to race;
pupils shall attend the school Of
their discreet unless by special
permission of the school admin
istration.
81. Wherever necessary. there
shall be a realignment of school
districts or a reassignment OF
pupils to accomplish proper use
Of existing facilities; new facili-
ties shall be provided as promptly
as possible to relieve overcrcwded
conditions. Z
g. Wherever . pupil in q sec
ondary school desires q particu-
lar course or courses. not avail
4