Evening star., 1957-04-08
Counsel Hired
To Aid Norris
Citizens Group Hits
'Scupeqout Action

The dismissal of DR.. Forbes
H. Norris by the Montgomery
County Board of Education was
branded today "a scapegoat
action by the board to avoid re-
sponsibility for unpopular actions
in most of which they had pre-
viously concurred."
The carge was made by
David Scull, chairman of the
Citizens Committee for Fair Play
in Public Service, who announced
his group would employ every
possible legal means to obtain a
full. open airing" of the case.
Five Other Developments
In other developments in the
case:
!. DR.. Norris. it was learned
will demand at tomorrow board
meeting a written statement of
the complaints against his ad-
ministration. He already had an
nounced he is willing to nave any
charges made public.
2. The Citizens Committee re-
ported it had retained the law
firm Of Moore e. Linowes to
safeguard the possibly damaged
personal interests of DR.. Norris
in the case as handled by board
members.
3. Sentiment among leaders of
the County Parent-Teacher As
Isociation was revealed as run
ming "3-to-l" against the board
action, despite a decision Of the
.PTA executive council to keep
hands of the situation, accord
ing to an authoritative spokes-
man.
4. A poll of board members re-
'vealed no basic difference in
educational philosophy between
DR.. Norris and the board. though
Ione member lamented that the
educator was mot articulate
enough"
5. Board members disagreed
on the possibility of getting
across the board" agreement on
la set of complaints to justify
the dismissal. One member said
he doubted such an agreement
was possible. several said it
could be done. while another be-
llieved it possible but conceded
he hasn't "a set that is docu-
mented"
leadership Questioned
While board members con-
tinued TO remain silent publicly.
members themselves set up the
crux of the controversy as real
Iquality leadership" which they
say has not been exhibited to
their satisfaction.
/ Mr. Scull's statement said DR.
Norris is the victim of confused
and divided policies within the
board itself"
The board to date has refused
to detail the charges against DR..
Norris.
4 While the school board has de-
MED integration played a role in
the decision TO dismiss DR.. Nor
ris, two of the five grievances re-
vealed to date against the super
intendent involved integration.
Montgomery County is iarth-
er along the road to sound inte-
grafton than any other county in
the State The program. un-
der DR.. Norris leadership. has
beer accomplished without tear
ing apart the community" Mr.
Scull said.
Other Controversial Incidents
So far as handling of two
other controversial incidents Of
recent months are concerned
Mr.. Scull charged that the board
was more disturbed by public
revelation of the cases than they
were the merits"
The two involved the transfer
OF Chevy Chase elementary
school teacher. which action Lht
board did not alter. and the
punishment of seven Bethesda
Chevy Chase High School stu.
dents who had formed a fra
ternity in violation of State Law
IN which the superintendent sup
ported discipline in schools By
backing decision of the prn
cipal
THE refusal of DR.. Norris {,
hide facts from the public l.,
at the heart of these com
plants Mr.. Scull said.