Smyrna times., 1957-07-18
MRS. M. O'NEILL
HEADS BOARD
Smyrna School Board Elects
Mrs. 0'Neill President; F.
B. Gebhart, V. President
FACILITIES NEEDED

The Smyrna Board of Educa-
tion again chose Mrs. Margaret
M. O'Neill as president in its reg
ular reorganization meeting last
week. Mrs. O'Neill served in this
capacity in 1956-57. A lifelong
resident of Delaware and a grad
uate of the University of Della
ware, Mrs. O'Neill has had wide
experience in school work. She
formerly served as teacher and
then acting principal in the Smyr-
ma school system, and has served
on town council. She is active in
a number of civic groups. The
board elected Francis Gebhart as
vice president. Mr.. Gebhart is al
so a graduate of the University
of Delaware and was once on the
faculty of the high school, at
which time he coached several
sports. Mr.. Gebhart will continue
to serve as vice chairman of the
Smyrna School Building Commits
sion. Other members of the board
are w. Howard Nowland, chair
man of the Building Commission,
and Norman G. Wilder, newly
elected member. George V. Kirk,
superintendent, will continue as
secretary by virtue of his posi-
ton. The board expressed its
concern over the delay in the
passage of the construction act.
The Smyrna District is in need
of additional facilities, and has
hoped to move ahead rapidly in
providing for the growing district.
OF particular concern was the de-
lay in passage of the delayed re-
pair bill. Smyrna has regularly
received about $4,000 for repairs
necessary in the district. Without
this money, the district must
either forgo needed repair work.
or provide money from local
funds. This would naturally re-
duce the amount available for in
structional equipment and sup
plies The board approved the
use of the athletic field by the
Softball League during the sum-
mer months, and authorized the
Smyrna-Clayton Jaycees to use
the auditorium on October 10th
for variety show, and the Amer
ican Legion the use of the audi
torium for August 29th. The
board accepted the low bid of
Diamond Ice and Coal Company
in Wilmington for oil for the
high school and elementary school;
and selected the bid of the Sim
clair Refining Company, Dover,
for oil for the Thomas D. Clay
ton School. This company's bid
was tied with that of Pure Oil,
Seaford. The board studied the
effect of a new law allowing state
salaries for certain cafeteria per-
sonnel. The report of the cafe
terias for the year showed that
with careful management, they
made a net gain of less than $3Cl
during the year. The board ap-
proved the publication of the an
nual financial report, as required
by law, and asked that wide dis
tribution of this report be made.
The schedule for the coming year
was approved. The starting date
will be September 3rd for teach
ers and Thursday, Sept. 5th, for
pupils. Students will attend school
for a total of $50 days, while
teachers will be required to work
1876 days. Christmas vacation will
be April 81. Baccalaureate will
be held on Sunday, June 8th and
commencement will be on Mon
day, June 9th. The board inspect
ed the work in progress on the
Home Economics room, and view
ed some of the. desks being re-
finished for classroom use. The
board approved the repair of a
number of items at the Thomas
D. Clayton School, under the di-
rection Of the superintendent. The
board plans personal tour of
this building on Tuesday.