Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-10-29

,lished their answers 10 Qaes-
school sepregations. Today
ing Nth other school prob
I Mr.. Browns Replies
The following questions were
submitted to Mr.. Brown:
You have charged that The
School Board appointments Of
Mrs. Helen Lane and Robert
Peck By the Authenticated
County Board were q disservice
to Arlington. Specifically, what
are your criticisms Of these
two members?
/ Mr.. Brown: Mrs. Lane voted
against the addition to Ken
more Junior High School,
urgently needed 10 house junior
high children. She voted
against a program for emo
tionally disturbed children. She
voiced objection to q county
appropriation to start provision
for facilities for retarded
children.
In public statements she has
accused the School Board OF
waste. inefiiciency. inadequate
instruction in the fundamN a.
tals-ignoring factual material
at hand. She has challenged
the desirability Of free text
books. hot lunches and free bus
transportation. and the guild
ance program. She gratuitiously
appeared before a congressional
subcommittee and said that Ar
lington was not worthy Of Fed
eral aid - that shortage OF
classrooms and scarcity Of
teachers were a cooked-up
myth.
Mr.. Peck. while an AIM
member Of the AIM-dominated
County Board. was the leading
spirit in slashing school budg-
cts. The school budget was cut
$45l 900 in 1888. 1913 900 In
1854. and S435, 900 in 1855.
This necessitated substantial
curtailment Of projected school
programs. delayed necessary In
creases in teachers salaries. i'm
posed textbook rentals. and
killed of q kindergarten pro-
gram dosing US 100000. in
Federal aid for a kindergarten
program. Mr.. Peck also is on
record as saying we could save
some $3.50. 900 by letting our ex-
perienced teachers 90 and re-
placing them with inexperi-
leneed teachers"
/ School Supt. 7. Edward Rut-
Ter recently outlined the growth
Of the Arlington school system
during his time In once. Your
opponent has pointed out that
the funds for this program
were approved by County
Boards under control Of AIM
supporters, including Mr.. Peck.
| What Is your comment?
Mr.. Brown: OF course the
school system has grown-more
children more classrooms. more
teachers and a bigger budget.
OF course the County Board
had to provide the funds. But
the AIM board was dragged
along. kicking and screaming
every inch Of the way. and. as
/ have noted. curtailed progress
in school development by meat
axing school budgets"
| n AIM gains School Board
control. do you predict that the
school system viii suffer? II
your answer Is yes. give details.
Mr.. Brown: Yes. the schools
viii suffer If AIM gains control.
The first result viii be resigna :
tons Of some Of our excellent
administrators and teachers
who believe that AIM and Its
supporters don't understand
and don't want an up-to-date.
first-class educational system.
They will 60 where they are
appreciated. And the teachers
and administrators are the
heart Of any school system.
AIM also has made 1t clear that
1t means to control the curric-
ulum. cut down on the guidance
program and other special serv-
ices.
1T has demonstrated no in
clination to support the bond
referenda which must be APP
proved in order to house our
expanding high school popula-
ton. We have no assurances
from Mr.. Magruder or other
AIM leaders that they will fight
TO keep our public schools open.
II AIM wins this election. there
will be a significant exodus Of
families from Arlington be-
cause many people feel sure
this will be the end Of school
progress and the beginning OF
swift deterioration"
! Your opponents hackers have
often compared school cost
figures In Arlington with lower
amounts in other jurisdictions.
What is your answer 20 their
contention that these COMPARE
sons prove extravaganza and
inefIlcency?
Mr.. Brown: I'VE have a
better school system than those
enjoyed In some other juris-
dictions. So 1t costs more. There
are no cut-rate deals In educa-
ton. Our schools are nations
ally recognized; our children
win scholarships 10 the finest
universities.
DIR. e. j. Braun. assistant
superintendent in charge OF
construction. was recently hon.
ored with the presidency Of the