Benjamin Willis (educator)
Benjamin Willis | |
---|---|
17th Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools | |
In office September 1, 1953 – August 31, 1966 | |
Preceded by | Herold C. Hunt |
Succeeded by | Thaddeus Lubera (interim) |
Member of the President's Science Advisory Committee | |
In office 1962–1966 | |
Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools | |
In office 1969–1972 | |
Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools | |
In office September 1, 1950 – September 1, 1953 | |
Superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools | |
In office July 1, 1947 – September 1, 1950 | |
Preceded by | William R. Williams[1][2] |
Succeeded by | Stanley S. Wynstra[3] |
Superintendent of Washington County Public Schools | |
In office August 1, 1940 – July 1, 1947 | |
Preceded by | Byron J. Grimes[4] |
Succeeded by | William M. Brish[5] |
Superintendent of Schools for Caroline County, Maryland | |
In office 1934–1940 | |
Preceded by | Edward M. Noble[6] |
Personal details | |
Born | December 23, 1901 Baltimore, Maryland |
Died | August 27, 1988 (age 86) Plantation, Florida |
Spouse |
Rachel Davis Webster
(m. 1925) |
Children | 1 |
Ed.D. ) | |
Benjamin Coppage Willis (December 23, 1901—August 27, 1988) was an educator and school administrator who served as
Willis had received praise during his superintendency in several school districts prior to arriving in Chicago. While the first eight years tenure in Chicago were widely praised, the latter five years faced massive controversy, with critics demanding his resignation and accusing him of perpetuating racial segregation in the city's schools.
Early life and education
Willis was born December 23, 1901, on a farm in Baltimore, Maryland.[7][8][9] His parents were Clarence Milton Coppage and Elizabeth Estelle Coppage (née Willis).[8]
He studied at
Early career
Willis began his career as a teacher and
Superintendent of schools for Caroline County
From 1934 through 1940, he served as
Superintendent of Washington County Public Schools
From 1940 through 1947, he served as school superintendent for Washington County Public Schools in Washington County, Maryland.[8][7] The county's board of education formally appointed him on June 11, 1940, slating him to take office on August 1, 1940.[4] He departed this position in July 1947 in order to become superintendent in Yonkers, New York.[12]
His tenure here, together with his previous stint as superintendent in Caroline County, helped to earn him a reputation as a leader in the field of education.[11]
While he departed with praise,[12] expenditures he and the school board had made would be negatively scrutinized after his departure. They were accused of paying for projects without approval of the county commissioners.[13][14]
Superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools
On July 1, 1947, Willis became superintendent Yonkers Public Schools,[15] a position he held until September 1, 1950.[16] Upon his resignation, his tenure was lauded by the Yonkers Teachers Association.[16]
Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools
On September 1, 1950, Willis left his position as superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools and assumed the position of superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools,[16][17] a position he held until 1953.[8] He had been formally hired on May 10, 1950.[17]
In 1953, he gave his support to efforts by the Board of Regents of the
He took an unpopular position in reorganizing the city's schools by proposing the closure of two long-standing high schools, and the repurposing of their structures. Despite many residents' dislike of this proposal, the local Urban League supported it, and it was ultimately implemented.[19]
Willis was given high regard during his stint in Buffalo, and his tenure was seen as successful.[20]
Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools
In 1953, he was appointed
For his first eight years in the job, despite encountering some problems related to the growth of school system, Willis received strong public support.[9] His actions drew praise.[7][8] During the earlier part of his tenure, Willis was among the most celebrated school superintendents of the time, and was hailed in both local and national media for modeling efficiency and competence. This created a positive image for the school district.[24]
During his first year, he negotiated a new salary schedule for teachers, which included raises and which put in place a six-hour day for all teachers.[7][25]
Willis was hailed for his construction of new schools.[26] In his tenure, he streamlined the construction of new school buildings and built over 100 new school buildings, which earned him the nickname "Big Ben the Builder".[7][9] Several bond issues were approved by voters during his tenure for new school construction, and the money was carefully spent with strong planning, heavily overseen by Willis.[27] By 1963, 40% of students attended school in new or modernized structures.[27]
He also decreased class sizes, reintroduced summer school, and expanded the junior college system.[7][8][28]
Willis acquired a reputation for asserting his authority.[7][24] Willis opposed what he saw as efforts by the Chicago Board of Education to intrude on his authority. For instance, 1963, after the school altered details of a student transfer plan, he resigned in protest. The board relented to his pressure, withdrawing their actions and rehiring three weeks later.[9]
Racial matters and protests
Despite his praise in the first years of his tenure, Willis would, ultimately, become among the most controversial school officials in the United States.
Willis considered schools to be a place for education, not social change.[8] He believed that educators' responsibility was outside of the influence of politics.[24] He viewed race as irrelevant to the role of educating.[24][9] He believed that school policy needed to be "colorblind". and was against taking race as a consideration in educational policy.[9] He also strongly believed that "neighborhood schools" were a positive.[24]
As superintendent, Willis was accused of continuing racial segregation by refusing to integrate Black children into predominantly White schools.[7][9] Willis was accused by critics of defying court-ordered desegregation, and keeping Black students in overcrowded inner-city schools despite there being significant extra capacity at schools located in White neighborhoods.[7][9] Instead, to address overcrowding at predominantly Black schools on the city's South Side, Willis used 625 mobile classroom units, which critics pejoratively dubbed "Willis Wagons".[7][30] The use of these mobile units was approved by the Chicago Board of Education in December 1961.[30][31]
Between 1963 and 1965,
In 1961, Willis created a permissive transfer plan to allow students at schools with an average class size over forty to move to a school with an average class size under thirty. However, the transfer plan required that the families of students provide their own
In 1963, a lawsuit was filed by twenty parents of Black school children over Willis' refusal to integrate. Instead of going to trial, the
Despite protests against him from civil rights leaders and others, Willis had strong backing from many White communities.[9] They saw him as a prominent backer of the policy of "neighborhood schools".[9]
Resignation
In 1965, there were arguments on the Chicago Board of Education over whether to renew his contract, as some board members wanted to end his tenure. Willis wanted an additional four-year term as superintendent. However, as a compromise, he agreed to a final one-year extension of his tenure.[9][43] In May 1966, he announced his resignation,[44] to be effective August 31, 1966,[45] four months prior to the scheduled end of his term.[7][8][9] Ahead of his departure, Mayor of Chicago Richard J. Daley praised Willis as, "a fine administrator and hard working public servant".[45]
Late career
From 1966 through 1970, he taught as a professor of
Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools
Willis served roughly two years as superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, from 1969 through 1972[7][8] Willis retired in 1972,[7] after the school board voted 3–2 not to renew his contract.[46]
After retiring, he did some educational consulting work.[9]
Other positions held
In December 1947, United States Commissioner of Education John Ward Studebaker appointed Willis to the nine-member commission on life adjustment for the United States Office of Education. His fellow commissioners elected him the group's head[15] a position he held for a number of years.[47]
Willis was also a member of the President's Science Advisory Committee from 1962 through 1966.[8]
In the 1960s, he served as chairman on a Congressional advisory committee to advise Congress on new federal legislation regarding vocational education. His work on this committee won praise from the National Vocational Association.[29]
From 1955 through 1960, he was president of the Great Cities School Improvement Study.[8] He was also president of the American Association of School Administrators in 1961 and 1962.[8] He was chairman of the President's Panel of Consultants on Vocational Education, as well as chairman of the Educational Policies Commission of the National Education Association from 1962 through 1967.[8] He was also a consultant to the Peace Corps.[8]
Personal life and death
On January 24, 1925, Willis married Rachel Davis Webster.[8] He had one child.[8]
Willis died of a heart attack at his residence in Plantation, Florida (where he had retired to) on August 27, 1988, at the age of 86.[7][9]
References
- ^ "Dr. Quick Becomes Acting Head Of School Health Service July 1". Newspapers.com. The Herald Statesman (Yonkers, New York). June 13, 1947.
- ^ "Williams Proposes Dr. Quick As Acting School Health Head". Newspapers.com. The Herald Statesman (Yonkers, New York). June 6, 1947.
- ^ "School in Yonkers". Newspapers.com. Daily News (New York City). September 6, 1950.
- ^ a b "New County School Superintendent To Assume Position Here On Aug. 1". Newspapers.com. The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland). June 12, 1940. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "William M. Brish Is Appointed New Superintendent Of County Schools". Newspapers.com. The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland). February 12, 1947. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ a b "B. C. Willis Is New Supt. Of Schools". Newspapers.com. Denton Journal. May 26, 1934. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Lyall, Sarah (31 August 1988). "B.C. Willis, 86; Led Chicago Schools for 13 Years". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-313-29133-3. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "BENJAMIN C. WILLIS, EX-CITY SCHOOLS CHIEF". Chicago Tribune. August 30, 1988. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ Wnek, p.10
- ^ a b c d Wnek, p. 11
- ^ a b "Benjamin Willis Honored At Farewell Dinner Here". Newspapers.com. The Morning Herald (Hagerstown, Maryland). April 11, 1947. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "School Board Bills Scored". Newspapers.com. The Morning Herald (Hagerstown, Maryland). February 4, 1948. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "School Expenses Under Fire Here". Newspapers.com. The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland). February 4, 1948. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ a b "U.S. Education Group Elects Herald As Head". Newspapers.com. The Herald Statesman (Yonkers, New York). December 4, 1947. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ a b c "Teachers Laud Willis, Regret His Resignation". Newspapers.com. The Herald Statesman. 12 May 1950. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ a b "New Job for Willis". Newspapers.com. Daily News (New York City). May 11, 1950. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "Educator Says TV Project Will Not Use Propaganda". Newspapers.com. The Times Record. February 10, 1953. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ Wnek, p. 13
- ^ Wnek, pp. 12 and 13
- ^ Herrick, p. 306
- ^ "Willis Adopts Hunt Program As School Head". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. September 2, 1953. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "Ben Willis: Is Chicago Ready To Replace Ex-Yonkers Man?". Newspapers.com. The Herald Statesman (Yonkers, New York). Feb 21, 1966. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ S2CID 248818398. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ Herrick, p. 307
- ^ "Benjamin C. Willis; Controversial Chicago School Official". Los Angeles Times. 3 September 1988. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ a b Herrick, p. 309
- ^ Herrick, p. 308
- ^ a b Herrick, p. 310
- ^ a b c "For Equal Education Opportunity". Chicago History Museum. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ Homel, Michael W. (2005). "Willis Wagons". www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org. Encyclopedia of Chicago (Chicago History Museum). Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "1963 Chicago Public School Boycott". WTTW News. October 22, 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "Fifty years ago today, the school boycott that rocked Chicago". Washington Post. October 22, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ "The 1963 Chicago Public School Boycott". Facing History and Ourselves. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "Chicago's Forgotten Civil Rights Demonstration Against Segregated Schools". WTTW Chicago. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ Skiba, Katherine (February 22, 2016). "Arrest photo of young activist Bernie Sanders emerges from Tribune archives". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
- ^ Murphy, Tim (August 26, 2015). "Read 21-Year-Old Bernie Sanders' Manifesto on Sexual Freedom". Mother Jones. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ McQuilling, Madeleine. "Benjamin Willis - Hal's great adversary". The Hal Baron Project. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "Gregory Begins 5 Months In Jail". Newspapers.com. Fort Lauderdale News. -The Associated Press. April 2, 1969. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ Healy, Shawn. "Gregory v. City of Chicago". www.mtsu.edu. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Benjamin C. Willis: Builder, Expert, Villain". findingaids.library.uic.edu. University of Illinois Chicago. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ Herrick, p. 326
- ^ Herrick, pp. 333–336
- ^ Herrick, p. 338
- ^ a b "Daley, Oldberg Laud Willis Acheivements". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. May 25, 1966. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ Lassiter, Tom (August 29, 1988). "B. WILLIS, EX-SUPERINTENDENT DIRECTED BROWARD COUNTY'S SCHOOL SYSTEM FROM 1970 TO 1972". Sun-Sentinel.com. South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "School's Duty To Students Seen Greater". Newspapers.com. The Daily Item (Port Chester, New York). January 20, 1949.
Works cited
- Herrick, Mary J. (1971). The Chicago Schools: A Social and Political History. Beverly Hills, Calif.: Sage Publications. ISBN 080390083X.
- Wnek, Cynthia A. (1988). "Big Ben the Builder: School Construction -- 1953-66". Loyola University Chicago. Retrieved October 29, 2021.