Evening star., 1957-12-27
Schools Held
Un'anlperedby
Vacant Posts

being aofninistcred aoequately,
It was reported today. despite
vacancies In two top positions.
Vacancies exist In two deputy
superintendencies. One post u
concerned with financial affairs
Of the system. the other with
management and supervision.
School Board President Wal
ter N. Tobriner said today he
has received no evidence the
vacancies were causing any
snags in the operation Of the
system. This view was also
shared by an assistant super
intendent and several other
board members.
Need for Job Questioned
One board member. Mrs.
Ruth Spencer. suggested that
perhaps one Job was not nee
essary. She said she has been
concerned for some time over
what appears 10 be Q top-heavy
administrative setup.
This 10 the Job held by Nor
man ]. Nelson. who retired
October 81. Mr.. Nelson 10
known to have aided DR.. Ho-
bart M. Corning. superintend-
ent. In q number Of decisions.
particularly during the tense
period before and after inte-
grafton.
II Ia Mrs. 6pencer's feeling,
however. that with much Of the
pressure Of the early days Of
integration now removed. the
Job might Be unnecessary-and
its salary diverted 70 cover
more pressing needs.
These Developments come on
top Of the latest effort 70 break
an impasse between Or. Corn
ing and the board over the two
vacancies.
Showdown Demanded
Lending q note Of urgency to
the situation 10 Board Member
Rowland r. Kinks. He said to-
day he would press for q show
down. He said he would re-
quest Q special meeting Of the
board--and Mr.. Tobriner said
he would be happy 70 grant
the request-to break the log
jam.
It Is DR.. Kinks feeling that a
new superintendent should be
presented with q going con-
cern" when he arrives after
DR.. Cornine's retirement. He
said 1t doesn't matter whether
the appointment u permanent
or temporary 10 either vacant
position-one element Of the
impasse. He pointed out that
q new superintendent could re-
move an individual under either
designation because q proba-
tionary period is called for in
either case.
He hinted this factor in the
struggle Is q smoke screen"
under which some board men,
bers are attempting TO guide
the selections.
Moreover. 1t apperas the
board Is poowerless TO act until
Or. Corning nominates an In
dividual 70 reither post. A
nomination he offered for the
post vacated by Mr.. Nelson
selecting q retired educator
who has never served in the
local system-was turned down
by the boards personnel COM
mittee. The nomination was
taken IS an indication that DR.,
Corning believes that the sys-
te mlacks an individual who
can step into the post.
No Nomination Yet
DR.. Corning has yet to name
an individual TO succeed
Charles N. Zellers. chief budget
of1cer Of the system. who re-
signed November IA.
Another board member, Carl
c. Smuck. who has felt the two
positions should have been
filled long ago. preferably with
local individuals. said today
the only solution TO the prob
lem may be to wait until DR..
Corning leaves the system.
At that time. the board could
appoint an acting superintend-
ent who in turn would I'LL the
TWO vacant posts.
The three individuals could
then serve until q permanent
superintendent Is selected.
The board is empowered to
appoint only the superintend-
ent. II can. however. either
accept or reject positions below
the superintendent.