Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-30

carrier tfllh mOuJn pFOukHl III
taking shape last summer VIII
school bond issue. A SLOT 900 81
also has added fuel 10 the fire.
The appointments have
stirred the wrath Of persons
who call themselves "pro-
school people"
II appears likely. too. that
the appointments foreshadow a
scrutiny Of present school poll
icy by the school board after
the new members take Office
tomorrow.
The Falls Church school sys-
tenn has about 1000 students. a
junior-senior high school, and
three elementary schools.
Skip 2 Incumbents
In making the appointments,
the City Council passed over
two present school board men,
bers. d. v. Stapleton and John
Wells. who had indicated they
would like TO be reappointed,
and who had wide support from
PTAs and other groups.
A third member, Chairman
Richard Saitsing. who has
fought a running battle with
council for the last year, did
not seek re-appointment.
The tenure of Falls Church
school board members has been
rather short. Since becoming
a city in 1913. Falls Church has
had IS school board members.
almost four complete changes
in the seven-member board. In
1851. six members resigned to-
gether when the board was
subjected to an investigation
by City Council.
Control of the school board
has fluctuated with the politi-
cal fortunes of councilmen.
Shifts in the liberal and con-
sentative balances on City
Council generally have been re-
flected in school board mem
hership.
The new members are Lyt-
toll Gibson, attorney and law
partner Of Councilman William
Hansbarger: H. P. Strople, busi-
ness and financial consultant.
who once was a member of
the school board and who was
active in instigating the 1851
investigation of the board: and
John w. Kelley, a business
man.
Criticize Policies
Mr.. Gibson and Mr.. Strople
are outspoken critics of cur
rent school policies. Mr.. Kelley
said he is relatively I'M
familiar" with details of school
operations and has mo par
ticular plans" for changes.
Mr.. Saintsing said the APP
pointments stemmed from the
controversial school bond issue
proposal. They also appear to
reflect general council dissat-
isfaction with school board
policies and an effort to solidify
conservative control of the
board.
A S750,000 bond issue, most
of which would have been used
for an addition to George
Mason Junlor-Senior High
School. was proposed last sum-
mer. The council refused to call
a referendum on it and efforts
by the school board and 1900
citizen petitioners to force the
referendum through court
action failed.
Mr. Saintsing said "it is
patiently evident that there has
to be an addition to the high
school,"
Mr.. Gibson said that so far
as he is concerned the bond
issue sis out" Mr.. Strople
called the bond issue IAN i'm
possibility" Both said it would
put the city beyond its legal
debt limit. and the need for the
issue has not been shown.
Some feel that the racial
issue played a part in the
selection Of the new school
board members. They feel it
was an effort to get segrega-
tion-minded people on the
board.
Denies Racial Issue
Mr.. Gibson said the racial
problem had nothing to do with
the appointments. He said he
supported the Gray Plan which
recognized some Indignation"
He said he favored segrega-
ton and would be in favor of
massive resistance if l thought
it would work. but I don't think
1t will"
Mr.. Gibson. who was city at
torney during the 1851 school
investigation, denied the &C
cusation that persons Of his
thinking are "anti-school peo-
Pile"
I'm anti-progreSsive educa-
ton" he said. I'm not On any
witch hunt. but I'm not salts
fed with the school system.
I'm not satisfied with what my
three kids are learning. I'm
not satisfied with how they
read. write and spell"
He said that the city is mot
in good financial shape" and
school budgets should be drawn
with a view to economy rather
than what everybody wants"
Would Cut "Frills"
He said there ore soy,oa