THE EVERETT DAILY

HERALDMarch 8, 1928

Defending its action in deciding not to renew the one year contract of Supt. Arthur Wilson upon the expiration date this summer, the school board, before a gathering of interested citizens and parents, which almost filled the High school auditorium Wednesday night, accused Mr. Wilson of over-estimating the district's income with resultant financial difficulties and, among other things, declared that he was the originator of the idea that teachers' salaries were to be cut to put the district on a cash basis.

Dr. J. F. Beatty, president of the school board, opened the meeting by reading a prepared statement expressing the unanimous sentiments of the board. For the first time since the news of Mr. Wilson's dismissal became known the board gave its reasons for its action, gave the board's side of the North Junior high school situation, its opinion of Mr. Wilson and the Rev. E.M. Rogers and discussed the proposal to cut teachers' salaries, which was branded as nothing but a rumor.

Before reading the statement Dr. Beatty, who with the other four members of the board – R. W. Earlywine, A. Wooton, C. B. Arthur and S. Frank Spencer – and the secretary, Gilbert Reeves, were on the stage, invited Supt. Wilson to sit on the platform. Mr. Wilson did not avail himself of the opportunity but, after the reading, got on his feet to give his side of the question.

The meeting lasted about an hour and 45 minutes and was accompanied by considerable table pounding. There was some bickering and some bitterness evidencedand several vehement denials of accusations. Both the board and the inquisitors of the board were applauded vigorously following brisk passages of arms when one or the other seemed to have struck a pertinent note.

Hardwick-Wilson

Among other things this board blamed Mr. Wilson for not solving his difficulties withMr. Hardwick, principal of the North Junior high school. In the statement the board

declares that Mr. Wilson gave Mr. Hardwick an excellent rating both in 1926 and 1927continuing.

Just previous to the references to the Rev. Edgar M. Rogers, Dr. Beatty stopped his reading for a moment and asked if Mr. Rogers was present. Receiving no reply he declared that he didn't expect him to be. “We have never been able to get an audiencewith that gentleman.” Regarding the Rev. Mr. Rogers, the board suggested “that he confine his future work to subjects with which he is more familiar.” Light handclapping forced Dr. Beatty to pause a moment before continuing.

Mr. Wilson was branded as a “sly fox” who was “hoodwinking the people” and makingthem suffer by his attitude, stating “that any member of the corps who is disloyal to the board is disloyal to you.”

Following the reading of the statement the people applauded and David Kennedy, appointed chairman of a committee to represent the citizens interested in the school situation to investigate the board's reasons for Mr. Wilson's dismissal then spoke.

Want to Hear Reasons

Mr. Kennedy declared that he represented a few public citizens and that he had no fault to find with the board nor was he there to defend Mr. Wilson. He said that Mr. Wilson had been heard and now the group he represented would like to hear the board's side of the question and that he had come to ask a few questions concerning the board's policies. He also asked that a date be set upon which the questions could be answered and discussed.The questions asked by Mr. Kennedy were:

1. – Courses of study in the senior and junior high schools (generally)2. – Cutting of maximum salaries3. – If they favor the holding of dances and other school affairs for students to

counteract attractions of more questionable parties, etc., on the outside.4. – Whether or not it is true if Mr. Wilson has not saved his salary in getting the

system additional income from private schools.5. – What the per capita cost per pupil was at the time Mr. Wilson took office –

and now.

Upon completing the stating of the questions the board voted to meet with the committee and any interested citizens on March 22 to answer any questions to be presented at that time. The date is the regular meeting time of the board.

Believing that a successor to Mr. Wilson might be named before the next regular meeting, Mr. Kennedy asked the board if it had decided upon a superintendent yet

and whether one would be selected before the next meeting.

Dr. Beatty spoke for the board and answered “No” to both questions. He further explained “that in fairness to Mr. Wilson the board's action had been taken early so as to give him four or five months notice.” He added “that it did not seem to have worked out very well.”

Mr. Hooton Speaks

There was a temporary lull and Mr. Hooton took advantage of the opportunity to speak as one member of the board. “I feel that it is the opinion of the board that this is not an indignation meeting. The people have a right to know the answers to their questions. The questions before us now is one of figures and facts. There never have been any arguments in favor of cutting any teachers off the maximum salary. The board has never been in favor of doing that.

Mr. Hooton then referred to the dismissal of Mr. Wilson, and the manner in which it was [carried out. Among] other things he said, “It was the opinion of the board that he be treated like a gentleman and allowed to resign and when he asked us how soon our action would be made public, we said that it was up to him. The information of his dismissal was not given out by any member of the board.”

Pointed Comments

Alleging that the board had treated Mr. Kennedy and his requests rather sharply, Mrs. D.A. Sharpless got to her feet and stated that the matter of Mr. Wilson was onlyone item but that there were a great many others regarding the school system which needed answering. Mrs. Sharpless stated that according to information she had received the board had not accorded committees that had waited upon it, courteous treatment.

In conclusion she went on to refute a previous statement of the board declaring that its meetings were always open to the public, saying, “Your meetings are not always open – many are secret, as you well know.” Her remarks were greeted with considerable applause.

In answer, Mr. Hooton declared that the board has always given courteous treatment to committees that have appeared before it.

Following another temporary lull, Dr. Beatty said that he had heard a rumor to the effect that High school students planned on going on a “strike” tomorrow, Thursday. Dr. Beatty asked Mr. Wilson if he was in favor of such action and the superintendent

emphatically replied that “he was not for it.”

When Mr. Wilson defended himself against the accusations in the statements, principally in regard to the South Junior high school situation, the teachers' salary question and the charge that he had on several occasions overestimated the district's income. In speaking of Mr. Hardwick the superintendent stated that incurred the North Junior high school principal's enmity about a year ago in suggesting some corrections. Mr. Hardwick, Mr. Wilson said, accused him of “spoopervision” seeminglyobjecting to “supervision.”

Denials of Mr. Wilson's statements regarding salary reductions and explanations of the finance situation came thick and fast from the board. Frequent interruptions were noted along with some table pounding. Regarding the statements of the state examiner Mr. Wilson said that it was easy enough to overestimate the income.

Dr. Beatty remarked: “It is easy for you to do.”

“You get this man's attitude,” Mr. Wilson replied.

Several questions were propounded by the Rev. Norgaard who asked for the reasons for cutting the budget, whose duty it was to make the budget estimate. Dr. Beatty said that the reasons the budget had to be cut was because the income had been over-estimated and that it was the duty of the superintendent to make those estimates.

Finances Part of Difficulty

“If the income is overestimated it is up to the board to get out of any difficulty that may result the best way it can,” questioned the Rev. Mr. Norgaard, and he asked further, “if finances were the principle difficulty?”

In answer Dr. Beatty admitted that the board had to extricate itself from any financial difficulties caused by over-estimation of the income, but that finances was only part of the reason for Mr. Wilson's dismissal.

That the Garfield school financial situation inherited by the present board was the cause of any trouble was denied by the board members. The Rev. Mr. Norgaard continued questioning about the finances and then asked, “Haven't we a fine school system?”

The board admitted that Everett had a fine school system, but qualified its admission with the statement that it did not feel “that the school situation is good when the teachers hold an antagonistic feeling against the school board.”

The question was then asked by someone in the audience if there had ever been any evidence of insubordination or principal at any time during the past year.

“Yes,” said Dr. Beatty.

“Who?”

“The principal of the North Junior high school,” said Dr. Beatty.

Was there ever any insubordination or friction between Mr. Wilson and any other principal or teacher that you know of?” came the question.

“No.”

“It seems to me then that Mr. Hardwick and not Mr. Wilson is in the wrong,” the inquisitor concluded.

The statement then came from the board that Mr. Wilson was not dismissed because of friction between Mr. Hardwick and the superintendent and Mr. Spencer asked Mr. Wilson, “Do you feel that your dismissal was due to friction between yourself and Mr.Hardwick?”

“No, absolutely not,” stated Mr. Wilson. “Two of you know what the reason is and the other three did not know until recently.”

Near the close of the meeting Alex Vierhus asked the board, “Will you tell us why Mr.Wilson was dismissed?”

In reply Dr. Beatty suggested that he read the papers Friday morning and see what they have to say, digest it and “if you have any questions come before us two weeks from tonight.”

In response to a question from someone in the audience the board stated that it felt the North Junior high school students had suffered from the lack of a suitable program. The same person stated that if such was the case the person whose fault it was should step down.

Dr. Beatty, Mr. Hooton and Mr. Spencer and Gilbert Reeves, secretary, spoke for the board. Among those who spoke from the audience, in addition to those already mentioned, was Mrs. Fred C. Cottie.

Reiterating its stand that it believed the best interests of the Everett school system would be served if Supt. Arthur Wilson be not retained after June 30, 1928, the school board, in a statement read by President J. F. Beatty before a large gathering of interested parents and citizens in the auditorium of the high school Wednesday night presented its side of the question for the first time since the announcement thatMr. Wilson's contract would not be renewed upon its expiration date.

Upon the completion of the reading of the lengthy document all members of the board, Dr. J. F. Beatty, S. F. Spencer, A. W. Hooton, C. B. Arthur and R. W. Earlywine,signed it. The statement:

“I take it that your presence here tonight is to learn the board's reasons for not offering Mr. Wilson a contract as superintendent of our schools after the expiration of his present one which occurs on June 30, 1928. As chairman of this body I shall proceed to point out to you sufficient evidence which will convince you that his further retention would not be for the best interests of the system.

“We will first consider the junior high school situation. The board has not been unmindful of the difficulty existing between the superintendent and the principal of the North Junior high and more than once during the past six months has Mr. Wilsonbeen informed that the board was solidly back of him as superintendent. His reply was, “All right, all right, I'll go ahead and handle the situation.”

“There is nothing in the records to show that Mr. Hardwick's dismissal was ever recommended to the board by Mr. Wilson. No doubt that was in his mind but this situation is just a glowing example of the superintendent's attitude whenever an important decision had to be made. Mr. Wilson would have been greatly pleased had the board dismissed Mr. Hardwick because then should the friends of Mr. Hardwick because then should the friends of Mr. Hardwick approach the superintendent, his position would be very strategic. He could simply say, “I had nothing to do with that; the board assumed full responsibility.”

Given High Rating

“Mr. Wilson is quoted as saying, 'Hardwick is one of the most contemptible men I have ever worked with in the 35 years of my school experience.' That being true it is hard to understand why Mr. Wilson gave Mr. Hardwick and excellent rating both in 1926 and 1927 as a principal. If Mr. Wilson's first statement is true then was he loyalto the board when he recommended such a dastardly fellow to fill one of the most important positions in the system?

“The superintendent of schools is the executive head of the system. It is his duty to

maintain harmony and co-operation or to recommend to the board such action as he deems necessary to bring this about. The first real intimation of friction between the North Junior high and senior high school was last year when the number of teachers necessary in the Senior high school was overestimated and Mr. Wilson wanted to bring something over 100 ninth grade pupils to the Senior high school to remedy this situation. This was opposed for two reasons, first the North Junior high operates best at 1100 to 1200 students, secondly, the per capita cost is considerably higher in the Senior high than in the Junior high school (94.51 in the Junior high school, 118.19 in the Senior high school).

Pratt Makes Suggestion

“In the fall of 1926 at one of our regular meetings we were advised by F. A. Pratt, state examiner, that we should m make our estimated income conform to the actual receipts received. We asked Mr. Wilson to give us some suggestions at our next meeting as to how we might retrench. What was done? Almost immediately word went out that the board was going to cut salaries. The P.-T. A. bodies were notified and within 48 hours from the time we asked for suggestions from the superintendent,my office was filled with indignant patrons. And all that before a single suggestion about retrenchment was presented to the board by the superintendent. Such action as that certainly did not mean co-operation on the part of Mr. Wilson.

“A meeting was held with the P.-T. A. representatives and we informed those present that until some plans were advanced by the superintendent no definite action could be taken. However, we did assure them that no salary reduction was contemplated. When asked why he had not given the subject some thought before getting the people unnecessarily alarmed he replied with words to this effect, 'Do you think I want that responsibility to fall upon me?' After the agitation subsided we met and in a short time solved the situation without any further difficulty.

“Mr. Wilson came to us heralded as a financial genius. We thought we were to get expert advice along those lines. What has been our experience? Every year since his arrival he has overestimated the income of this district. According to a statement from the secretary of the board, in 1921-22 the receipts were overestimated $2406.84; 1922-23, by $36,373.59; 1923-24, by $13,075.54; 1924-25, by $8907.30; 1925-26, by $21,558.39; 1926-27, by $10,916.18. The superintendent is charged with making the budget, and planning the financial program of the district.

Pratt Put Board Straight

“According to the press Mr. Wilson fears someone else will get credit for the present status of our finances. In the face of what I have read someone else is entitled to the

glory and that individual is F. A. Pratt, whom I have mentioned before. It was he whocame to my office and gave me the first ray of light on the subject. I urged him to tellhis story to the board which he did, much to Mr. Wilson's displeasure. Now we are basing our income on what we actually received the preceding year and not on any speculative basis. From now on we will not get demands from state officials to keep our expenditures within our income but we had to receive such information from a state official and not from our superintendent.

“On our about November 24, 1926, an occasion arose which convinced us that the superintendent was not in sympathy with the board. This was about the last day for filing for the school board at which time Mr. Hooton and Mr. Spencer were candidates.We were summoned to Mr. Wilson's office where he demanded a renewal of his contract which had until June 30, 1927, before its expiration. Why did he demand re-election at this time when his contract did not expire for seven months? Why did he make such a demand at the eleventh hour of filing for the board election? There was plenty of time to act between December and June, 1927.

“Place yourself in our position and imagine what thoughts would traverse your mind. Probably the worst mistake this board has made was made at that time when we promised him a re-election. We were not satisfied that he was doing his best at that time. After promising him a re-election he grasped the hand of every member of the board and assured us that from then on he would do his very best. The board has yet to see any apparent change for the better.

Fulfilled Promise

“After the election of the teachers last spring Mr. Wilson again mentioned having his contract renewed. In order to fulfill our pre-election promise we agreed to his re-election. At first he demanded a three year contract and asked for an increase in salary. We refused his proposition and offered him a one year contract without an increase. The meeting adjourned without his accepting our terms but a day or two later he called me at my office and told me to make his contract for one year at the old figure.

“Our reason for giving him only one year at no increase was because, as he said himself, 'I have no done anything constructive for the system since I came.' This declaration was made about a year ago. For some time the board has felt that it has not had the whole hearted cooperation of the superintendent. If Mr. Wilson felt that he was doing his best for the district why did he demand a three year contract?

“You might be interested to know that I have been approached by more than one applicant for Mr. Wilson's position who voluntarily offered the information that they

were willing to let their results determine their length of contract. Several insisted that a yearly contract was the fairest method. Mr. Wilson realized our backs would beup against the wall once we signed a long term agreement and then he could continuehis policy of indecision and we would have to like it. He wanted us to have faith in him by giving him a long term contract but when I suggested he go on handling the situation and let his results speak for themselves without a renewal of contract he absolutely refused. It was all right for the district to believe in him but he didn't believe in the district.

Admissions Made

“Mr. Wilson admits through the press that he has not the ability to put across the Junior high school program; nor has he the ability to make the present principal put it across. The North Junior high is operating in its third year and as yet there is not the proper correlation of courses between the junior and senior high schools. To whomshould we look for the proper adjustment of this situation? Do you think a superintendent who in one breath clothes the Junior high school principal in a cloak of perfection and then in another tears him to shreds as a despicable individual, is big enough to get satisfactory results? Since Mr. Wilson has conducted his publicity campaign the board is firmly convinced that they have acted wisely.

“Another statement Mr. Wilson made is worthy of comment. He said that I told the principal of the South Junior high school to organize along the lines of the North Junior high. Granting that I should make such a rash statement what should have been the superintendent's reaction? If he possessed an adequate amount of abdominalfortitude he would have informed me that that was his responsibility and that he would be responsible for results. It is just another instance of admitting that he was afraid to stand for what he knew to be right.

“Mr. Wilson is responsible for the following assertion, 'Anything like satisfactory co-ordination between the Senior and Junior high schools in the city of Everett I consider an absolute impossibility as long as the North Junior High is in the hands ofa man holding the convictions I know him to hold toward the Senior high school.' Thatabout a man whom he has told us for two years is an excellent Junior high school principal. That statement alone is evidence of Mr. Wilson's insincerity. Almost three years of operation with an excellent principal at the helm and still lack of co-operation between the Junior and Senior high schools. Fiddlesticks – what's the trouble? The superintendent hasn't been calling his shots as he saw them, that's all.

No Brief for Hardwick

Since investigating the situation I am not yet convinced that Mr. Wilson's statement is true that it is impossible to work with the main object of his attack. Get me correctly, this is no brief for Mr. Hardwick, but anyone who has been as faithful to thesystem as he, is entitled to at least a square deal. Many of you believe that he should not be at the head of the North Junior high, but on two important occasions at least, Mr. Wilson has said that he was an excellent Junior high school principal.

“Another rumor which could have been partially if not wholly stifled by the superintendent was that we were contemplating releasing teachers on the maximum salary schedule and employing those on minimum salaries. The board's action should speak for itself. According to the secretary not a single teacher was employed last year at the m minimum beginning salary. Thirty-two teachers were hired during the year – three were hired at the maximum beginning eleven were hired one step belowthe maximum beginning; six were hired two steps below the maximum beginning; six were hired two steps above the minimum beginning; six were hired one step above the minimum beginning. None were hired at the minimum beginning salary.

“We are ready at this time to hire all the teachers recommended to us as far as their salary schedule is concerned. This board is much more in favor of raising salaries than of cutting them and if you examine the records you will find we have always been so minded.

What About the Board?

“There is just one other th ought I wish to discuss. Has anyone stopped long enough to realize the position of the board? Why are we serving you as school directors? Is it for remuneration or reward? Isw it for self-excitation or aggrandizement? No – not forany of these. It is because in this capacity we feel we can perform a civic duty. As a board we aim to be impartial in our action. Our sole objective is to give the Everett school district the best administration possible. We are always pleased to listen to anyone having suggestions for the betterment of the institution. Any information we may have can easily be obtained t through the secretary's office as our books are always open for public inspection.

“One thing we do consider as a very unfair attitude is for someone to accept gossip and rumors as facts and then issue bulletins or make unwarranted statements. I havein mind the Rev. Edgar M. Rogers. In several instances he has led me to believe that his sympathies are not with the board. At the recent indignation meeting the voice ofthe Rev. Rogers was heard emerging from behind the skirts of those present to the

effect that the board's policy seems to be that we own and dominate the schools and the public can be damned. Mr. Rogers believes our policy is damnable. To borrow hisvocabulary while I refuse to accuse a clergyman of using damnable tactics I will say that our experience with Mr. Rogers has been very disconcerting to say the least.

“I am serving my n ninth year on the board and this is not the first time he has hurled criticism from ambush. But never once e have I known him to offer any logicalsolutions to our problems. Our last regular meeting was held February 15 at which time we took action regarding the superintendent. The superintendent was notified Thursday morning. Thursday afternoon we met in his office at 5 p.m. The n ext day before noon, the Rev. Rogers was giving the news to people down town. As n o member of the board had interviewed the pastor we are satiated he received his information from only one other source.

Not the First Time

“We are also satisfied that this was not the first information given him by the same party because in October of the past year h e issued a bulletin through his church which was not only wholly unnecessary but I believe could have been avoided had oursuperintendent care to do what he should have done. I understand he conferred with the superintendent before issuing the bulletin. On October 20 Mr. Rogers wrote a letter to Mr. Frank Spencer with much the same information.

“The board thought best to have Mr. Rogers meet with us and learn the facts and at the same time profit by any suggestions he might offer. We invited the clergyman to aregular meeting. He not o nly ref used to come but refused to meet with us at any future time. We then suggested meeting him in his own house. This offer received thesame reply. Any individual can find fault but it takes an able person to offer constructive criticism. The board feels thoroughly disgusted with the Rev. Roger's attitude and would suggest that unless he wants to come out and take a real stand that his future work be confined to subjects with which he is more familiar.

“Why was an impromptu indignation meeting held? Why did you accept the opinion of Mr. Wilson before giving your own public servants a chance to enlighten you? Whywere we not invited to that meeting? We are accountable directly to you for our actions and should have been consulted before anyone else. You owe us that much consideration.

“There always seems to be a certain group in every community who are antagonistic to the board. It matters not who happens to be on the board, the fact that they are serving is all that is necessary to provoke an attack. We either dismiss one who should be retained or there are some in the corps who should be dismissed. Try as

one may whatever course is pursued is certain to meet with disapproval.

Meetings Are Open

“Are you going to hold similar sessions every time we refuse to re-elected a member of the corps? We have been accused of keeping the public in ignorance of our actions, but I want to make this assertion, it is your privilege to meet with us the first and third Wednesdays of every month. We don't expect you to be spoon-fed, the information is here and always at your disposal. Our actions are such that we feel that we could convince even our most chronic kickers if they would simply attend our meetings. I'll admit that's optimism.

“You people do not realize you are being hoodwinked by the superintendent. You are being led like lambs to slaughter. Mr. Wilson is one sly fox. To whom does he owe allegiance as long as he is in the employ of the3 Everett school district? Who has been harmed by his tactics since February 15? On whose time has he prepared his voluminous newspaper articles? Is his heart in his work at the present time?

“Think about what I have said. Every one who contributes to the support of this district has suffered by his attitude. Do you still say he is loyal when he connives andschemes against the board who are your direct representatives? He has not harmed the board. You are the ones who have suffered but to date you do not seem to realize it. Any member of the corps who is disloyal to the board is disloyal to you, don't forget that. Mr. Wilson is using you as a tool and is willing to sacrifice you to gain his goal.

“In closing I make this statement. We have always done what we considered fair and honest toward all concerned. We will continue that policy as long as we represent you.As for our present action, I express the unanimous opinion of the board when I say we believe it to be for the best interests of the Everett school system that Mr. Wilson be not retained after June 30, 1928.”