Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-12
Dr.. Norris Case

It's an III wind that blows no
good-even in matter like
the present controversy over
the superintendent Of schools
for Montgomery County. New
attention has been focused on
school problems and it must be
measuring to DR.. Norris to
know that there is such wide
spread support for the pro-
grams and policies which he
has proposed and has been try
ing-with limited funds-to
carry out.
Those following school mat
tiers in the county over the
past several years, for example.
would have had ample reason
to believe that the business
community did not favor the
superintendent program.
Three years ago Montgomery
County Taxpayers. Inc, was
organized with substantial as
sistance from businessmen to
advocate drastic cuts in DR..
Norris proposed budget. Even
at the recent hearings of the
Board Of Education in Janu-
airy. and of the County Coun-
Gil in March, there were no
voices from this quarter in
support of the superintendent
or his recommendations.
Apparently there has been a
change OF heart. Judging from
the numerous resolutions
adopted by Rotarians, cham
bers Of commerce. boards of
trade and others, these groups
are now ready to support the
superintendent in his requests
for those improvements in
school standards which he
feels are vital to the develop
ment Of adequate schools in
the county.
In light Of the spontaneous
groundswell Of public support
for the superintendent, 1t is
earnestly to be hoped that the
County Council will not only
restore the funds cut by the
county manager from the
Board Of Education's request.
but will seriously consider re-
storing the additional 1870. 900
originally requested by DR..
Norris and cut by the Board OF
Education.
1t Is heartening to see the
service clubs and business or
CARNATIONS OF the county join
forces with the PTAs. the
League OF Women Voters. the
civic groups, and others who
have been consistently sup
porting the superintendent
program. II this continues.
there Is good reason to hope
that Montgomery County will
regain the top-ranking posi-
ton in the Metropolitan Area.
Frederic o. Bundy.
] have been wondering why
the vociferous interest In the
DR.. Norris case shown by the
various chambers of COM
merce and other business or
CARNATIONS in Montgomery
County. How they would have
roared II bona fide labor or
CARNATIONS or political groups
had beaten them to the punch
and had come out in support
OF the Montgomery County
Board Of Education! Their cry
would have been that these
organizations have no BUSH
ness interfering with public
education.
/ suggest that in failing to
air their charges" against DR..
Norris, the board of education
is doing it out Of consideration
for him; in airing them they
would be jeopardizing his
chances of getting another job
In some other community. He
Is not being dismissed: his
contract is not being renewed.
There is big difference there.
What is not acceptable to a
board Of education in one
community may be perfectly
fine In another.
When a board, composed of
people ranging from a very
conservative to a liberal point
OF view, such as ours, is unani-
nous in its decision not to
renew DR.. Norris contract, I
am willing to accept It's deci-
sion without question.
Pearl Firestone Jacobs.
n 4
It is frequently noted by
Montgomery County residents
that The Stars off-the-cuff
comments on county affairs
bear evidence that they are
always taken from the same
cuffs.
A recent instance OF this
comes to mind In The Sunday
Star article expressing editorial
views In . news" story on TIE