This Day in History: 1954-06-28
The latest round of Austin v. Board of Education was played out at the Board meeting. Austin wrote to the Board stating that he was attending the meeting and would be available for any services they might need from him. He also returned a check for $135.98 marked “Severance Pay”. He wrote that he would not accept anything less than payment for the full term of his contract. He considered himself still Superintendent of Schools because he had tenure. An interesting sidelight on the case was revealed at the meeting when a teacher, Louise J. Assinen, resigned her job citing the “uncertain circumstances” existing in the Mahwah school system. During the public session Willis Cheney demanded an estimate from Board Attorney Warhol of what the costs might be for pursuing appeals in the Austin case. In answer to Cheney’s question Warhol stated that the cost depends on the amount of time the appeal would take. The Board then proceeded to vote to deny Austin the right to hold a teachers’ meeting, rejected any reports he might choose to make, and authorized the Board Secretary to sign any papers and reports normally signed by the Superintendent. Attorney Warhol stated that he would not argue before the State Education Commissioner concerning continuity of service after June 30th, the normal date for the expiration of Superintendents’ contracts. He would base his entire argument on the minutes of the April 18th meeting when Austin presented his resignation. (Bristow)