University School's Top 6 Grades Doomed Unless Lawmakers Act Unidentified Staff Writer Columbus, Citizen-Journal, Wednesday March 31, 1965 (p 5) Copyright 1965, Columbus Citizen-Journal
Nothing short of a direct order from the Ohio Legislature will save the upper six grades of University school. Dean Donald P. Cottrell of the Ohio State University College of Education told the House "Finance Committee Tuesday that if more money is made available to the college it would probably be used for some other program that is "crying for money at this time." University President Novice Fawcett also indicated there would probably be programs of higher priority if Additional money is allocated to the University. A committee to save the school asked the legislature to provide $250,000 to continue grades seven through 12 of the university school At one point during the hearing Rep. Walter E. Powell ( R-Butler ) indicated to Dean Cottrell that he resented being told that the school was none of his business. "I do not resent any question you have asked me or will ask me," Dean Cottrell said, "I do think this is the kind of a question that should be settled by the university rather than by the legislature." Dean Cottrell said-he felt the greatest contribution the school was now making was a fine education for the children in it. He said the use of the school as a laboratory to solve the needs of secondary education was "passing us by." He added that it was his plan to put more emphasis on the work done by the elementary grades after the secondary grades are eliminated. One Legislator suggested to Fawcett that the funds allocated to the university should be cut, since the upper grades are being eliminated. "In that. case we would discontinue the whole school," Fawcett said. Dr. Paul Klohr, professor of education at the university, was one of two persons who spoke in favor of retaining the school. He said he agreed the college of education should do more research with public schools in the state, but added "There is still a need for a university-controlled Laboratory facility with a competent staff and a continuing student body." Dr. Klohr said the college needed the freedom to try out new ideas in-education and that these ideas might not always be acceptable to local public schools. He said the ultimate decision was more than an administrative question for the university, but was a matter for statewide concern.
Dr. Ivan Gilbert, vice president of the committee to save he school, said elimination of the secondary grades will hurt education programs all over the state He also said if the school is destroyed it will be a difficult task to reconstitute the staff later. He suggested the legislature appropriate money to continue the school either to the University or the Ohio Board of Regents. If the University still wishes to discontinue the school, he recommended making the money available to another state university to take up the program.