Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-14
Something to Remember Him By
LETTERS TO THE STAR
Speaks for Schools

Speaks for Schools
The controversy over the Ar
lington school budget. guest
speakers, etc, is nothing new.
However, since adverse pub
licity unfortunately is more at
tractive, l think it is time for
some Of us to speak up for the
school administration.
do not need to repeat the
history Of the development of
our schools during the past
ten years except to say that
it has taken its place among
the leading systems of the Ma
ton. This is important because
all Of us want our children to
attend college. We all are. of
course, interested in scholar
ships and today this is more a
reality because Of the interest
in our system by the leading
universities. This would not
have been possible ten years
ago.
To begin an improvement
program long after it is over
due naturally costs money.
This includes the cost of func-
tional school buildings condu-
Give to learning and in which
our children can point with
some degree of pride. Although
we are falling behind in our
secondary school construction.
we have accomplished these
oblectives in what we do have.
The real danger lies with the
possibility of double sessions
in our high schools which will
deprive our children of &C
credited high schools for COL
lege entrance. This condition
can and will destroy our whole
educational program. I doubt
If many people recognize this
because 1t is overshadowed by
the clamor of narrow-minded
and selfish citizens Of our COM
munity who thrive on attacks
and malicious propaganda.
To maintain the necessary
detectives for a good educa-
tional program should be fore
most in our minds regardless
Of the opposition. l doubt seri-
ously II the cost of maintain
ing such a system would, in
any event, be as much as 500
per year TO each property
owner over the antiquated and
unrecognized system proposed
by our opposition. This cost is
less than the cost OF cigarettes
consumed each year by the
average smoker. Our leaders
Of tomorrow are certainly
worth more to us than that.
1t is unfortunate that the
opposition has consistently
adopted political chicanery to
prevent every step of progress
made. AS result, it has been
far more costly. Nevertheless.
our schools have pioneered new
and improved methods in sci
entlfic courses. exchange stu
dents. and many others to
broaden the scope of learning.
Leading universities say that
the high school graduate today
is far better equipped for col
lege; yet our opposition would
eliminate the very foundation
of college preparedness from
the school program.
The serious part of this OPP
position Is the whispering cam
paign of deliberate false and
inaccurate information spread
outside the county to under
/, mine the system. 1t was used
in the State Legislature to gain
sympathy for disfranchising
the voters in the election of
school board officials. after two
unsuccessful attempts to elect
their own candidates. 1t is OBJ
viously being used among our
citizens to undermine their
confidence in our schools.
We are on the threshold OF
losing every dollar invested,
and even more important. the
preparation of our youth for
their place in society, merely
by the whims of a small mi
nority Unfortunately. more
uniformed citizens are being
duped by the spread Of this
vicious propaganda.
realize we have made mis-
takes; but no one is suffi-
GENTLY perfect in such a vast
and responsible undertaking
to avoid them occasionally.
Now the schools need the
strong support Of the press
with its abundance Of facts to
enlighten those who are pug
aled over what is taking place.
Weighing the activities of the
Defenders PERO AIN triple
threat against the groups gem
timely interested in good
schools would be extremely
beneficial. and public service
for which we would be most
gre 'eful.
Eenrga n VvnOd