Evening star., 1963-01-26
Divided School Board

We who join in this public
appeal for a renewed spirit
of unity have-as former
presidents Of the Allied Civic
Group and the Montgomery
County Civic Federation in
dividually followed closely
the course of our county
government, including our
public school system, for over
a decade. We have seen a
slowly marching parade Of
board members come and go,
each making his own con-
tribution to the steady prog
ress Of our public schools.
Regardless Of the varying
points of view represented
on previous school boards, no
one has, to our knowledge,
ever seriously challenged the
personal integrity of the ded-
icated men and women who
comprised these earlier
boards and who contributed
literally of their personal
lives to this important task.
We believe that all seven
members Of the present
school board, including its
four newest members, are
likewise dedicated public
servants, each of whom de-
sires to add a significant
contribution to the structure
inherited from predecessors.
1t is with the deepest con-
Germ, therefore, that we view
the actions of some in
dividuals and groups, the ef-
feet of which has been to
intensity schism which ap-
parently exists within the
boards present membership.
Some Of this action was be-
gun even before the ink was
dry on the oaths of office Of
the newly elected members.
1t continues persistently. as
evidenced by the highly de-
rogatory statements concern
ing the present board ex-
pressed at a recent meeting
of county civic leaders"
which considered, among
other things, the need for
a war chest to Save Our
Schools"
We believe the real need
at this time is for a breath
ing period" to provide an op-
portunity for the new men,
bers to comprehend the prob
lens Of a large and still grow
ing school system. Such a
period would also provide an
opportunity for board mem
berS-both old and new-and
their staff to explore together
complex problems.
Progress on the long road
to social gains is always
marked by the effective and
workable compromises that
can be found to reconcile
the differing views Of rea-
Sonable men. True, there
must always be room for
honest differences among
honorable associates" Such
differences, however, should
not become so entrenched by
the tanning Of divisive
flames that the possibility of
fruitful discussion and COM
promise is lost In the furry
Of charge and countercharge.
We think the present atmos-
phere surrounding our school
board activities is fraught
with real danger for the
long-range best interests Of
our schools.
We believe that all reven
members of the Board OF
Education share this basic
objective: to provide within
the limits OF a reasonable
financial burden the highest
quality OF education In the
most economical manner
possible.
Therefore. in these earliest
days Of the newly constituted
boards existence we ear
nestly urge the supporters Of
all factions-indeed, all coun-
ty citizens-to express, as we
do. a vote Of confidence 10 all
members Of the Montgomery
County School Board and its
staff. Along with that vote
should go a pledge by the
parents and taxpayers OF
Montgomery County OF en-
couragement, support and as
sistance 10 those responsible
for the education OF the fu-
ture leaders OF the county
and the Nation.
On with the Job.
Clarke L. Fauver, Robert
G. Hacken, Jerome J. Har-
ris, Julius u. Hoke, Robert
A. Marvin, Robert Y. Red
ding.