Evening star., 1957-08-23
Peck 10 Seek
Harmony With
Stdteon Schools
New Board Member
Declares Richmond
Officials Are Sincere
BY SAM EASTMAN

A stronger effort by Arlington
to cooperate with the State on
public school policies was urged
today by Robert A. Peck, who
will take a county school board
seat next week.
Mr.. Peck, appointed yester-
day by a 3-to-2 vote of the
county board, also took a firm
stand in favor of continued
school segregation.
In urging a try at less friction
with Richmond, Mr.. Peck COM
We've got to be a part Of
the solution and not a part of
the problem. We've got to
believe that they (State off,
cials) are sincere -
Last year, the General AS
sembly abolished Arlington's
elected school board in favor Of
appointment Of members by the
county board. Critics of this
action took the position that it
was retribution for the Arling-
ton School Boards announce
ment Of a tentative desegrega-
ton program. Mr.. Peck was
on hand in Richmond to sup
port the elimination Of the
boards elected status.
Replaces Heating
Mr.. Peck, q former county
board chairman, was named to
replace L. Clark Heating, head
Of George Washington Uni.
versity's department Of Ro-
nance languages. who will go to
a similar post at the University
of Cincinnati next month.
The term of Mr.. Heating,
along with that of E. r. Dra-
helm, expires December 81. Il
is expected that the county
board, at that time, will ap-
point Mr.. Peck to a full four.
year term.
On the racial question, Mr..
Peck said that he concurs with
the belief Of "the great major
ity of objective thinking and
experienced educators" that
public education lis most eff
fectively carried out through
segregation :"
A leader in conservative cir
cles, Mr.. Peck also commented
that he was mot going to be a
rubber stamp for some Of those
national education groups
which are interested in forcing
progressive education" on the
schools.
Wants Written Reports
A major objective. he said.
will be to get back written re.
port cards rejecting the childs
progress and ability in basic
subjects" These reports, he
said, should come out every
six weeks.
A frequent critic of school
budget requests. Mr.. Peck said
that his first interest" on the
board will be to improve educa-
ton and that a basic factor is
to see that tax money is spent
efficiently.
Asked to comment on the fact
that he has frequently been
labeled a controversial figure,
Mr.. Peck said that he will have
two children in the public
schools this fall, and that he has
been active in youth work in
the county.
Most people seem to think
I'm a big, bad something or
other, but I'm not"
Mr.. Peck was nominated by
board member Mrs. Leone
Buchholz and won the votes
of board chairman Wesley w.
Cooper and DR.. Lucas H. Blew
ms. Board members Ralph
Kaul and David L. Krupsaw
opposed Mr.. Peck's appoint
ment.
Mr.. KauI nominated Edwin
T. Holland. president of the
Old Dominion Bank, to the
vacancy. The nomination
failed by a 2-to-2 vote, with
Mr.. Cooper abstaining.
Mr.. Krupsaw then nominated
Mrs. Lawrence Manning, q
housewife. but her nomination
was defeated by a 3-to-2 vote.
Mr.. Peck's appointment drew
statements today by other
school board members, with
the sharpest attack coming
from Mr.. Draheim.
with several very capable,
honest. intelligent and highly
respected citizens available"
for the post. Mr.. Draheim
said. Il am both shocked and
annoyed" at the selection Of
Mr.. Peck-"an extreme ex-
tremist who has viciously and
bitterly opposed the develop
ment Of our fine public school
system in Arlington"
Attacks Peck
Chairman James q. Stockard
said he had already offered Mr..
Peck his sincere congratula.
tions. Mr.. Stockard added that
Mr.. Peck has identified himself
with the element most critical
Of the public schools. but that
such persons often make con-
structive contributions once
they find themselves in public
Office.
Barnard Joy said he would
make an effort to work with
Mr.. Peck, but that the new
appointee had shown that "he
was against school improve
BY his budget votes
while serving on the County
Board.
Mrs. Helen Lane, on the other
hand, said that Mr.. Peck was
bringing to the School Board
tyo la a lNla ax,1aWta..a. ...I d. -.