Benjamin Willis
17th Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools
In office
September 1, 1953 – August 31, 1966
Preceded byHerold C. Hunt
Succeeded byThaddeus 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 byWilliam R. Williams[1][2]
Succeeded byStanley S. Wynstra[3]
Superintendent of Washington County Public Schools
In office
August 1, 1940 – July 1, 1947
Preceded byByron J. Grimes[4]
Succeeded byWilliam M. Brish[5]
Superintendent of Schools for Caroline County, Maryland
In office
1934–1940
Preceded byEdward M. Noble[6]
Personal details
BornDecember 23, 1901
Baltimore, Maryland
DiedAugust 27, 1988 (age 86)
Plantation, Florida
Spouse
Rachel Davis Webster
​
​
(m. 1925)​
Children1
Alma materGeorge Washington University (BA)
University of Maryland (MA)
Columbia University (Ed.D.)

Benjamin Coppage Willis (December 23, 1901—August 27, 1988) was an educator and school administrator who served as superintendent of various school districts, most notably[7] as superintendent of Chicago Public Schools.

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 St John's College in Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Arts from George Washington University in 1922.[8] He would later receive a Master of Arts degree from University of Maryland in 1926 Doctor of Education from Columbia University in 1950.[8] Additionally, 1933, he attended Johns Hopkins University, taking additional coursework on school administration.[10]

Early career

Willis began his career as a teacher and principal of a four-room schoolhouse in Henderson, Maryland in 1922 and 1923.[7][8][9] From 1923 through 1927, he served as a principal in Federalsburg, Maryland, working at both its elementary school and high school during this time.[8][11] From 1927 through 1931, he served as principal of Caroline High School in Denton, Maryland.[8][11] He served as principal of Sparrows Point High School.[11] From 1932 through 1934, he served as a principal in Cantonsville High School.[8]

Superintendent of schools for Caroline County

From 1934 through 1940, he served as school superintendent for Caroline County, Maryland.[8] He had been appointed in late May 1934.[6]

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 New York State Education Department to create educational television channels. He gave his support amid these efforts having faced negative allegations that the channels would be used for propaganda, mind control, and would function as state media.[18]

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 superintendent of Chicago Public Schools.[7] He left Buffalo for his new job in Chicago, starting on September 1, 1953,[21][22] and becoming the highest-paid educator in the United States.[8][9] His salary was so high that, in 1963, the only public official in the United States with a higher salary was the president of the United States.[23]

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.[9] His final three to five years on the job were full of controversy, largely surrounding the issue of desegregation.[9][29]

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, civil rights leaders and others actively protested against Willis.[7][8] Among those who led protests against Willis was Martin Luther King Jr.[7] Protesters demanded his resignation.[9] Protest actions included student boycotts of classes, hunger strikes, picketing outside of Willis' personal residence. Protests got destructive when protesters burnt mobile classroom units.[7][8] During the 1963 March on Washington, thousands of Chicagoans marched down Pennsylvania Avenue to the chant of, "down with Willis".[7] A notable protest was the 1963 Chicago Public Schools boycott.[30][32][33][34] In 1963, future United States senator Bernie Sanders, was arrested while protesting segregation in the Chicago Public Schools.[35][36][37][38] The 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case of Gregory v. City of Chicago related to charges against Dick Gregory stemming from his conduct during a 1965 protest demanding Willis' ouster as superintendent.[39][40]

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 transportation.[41] That year, he also conducted a survey of schools and quality of education on a three-member panel serving alongside Robert J. Havighurst and Eldridge T. McSwain.[41][42]

In 1963, a lawsuit was filed by twenty parents of Black school children over Willis' refusal to integrate. Instead of going to trial, the Chicago Board of Education agreed to make an out-of-court legal settlement in which they would commission a study to recommend measures for integration. While approved in principle in 1964, the study's recommendations were never actually implemented.[9]

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 educational administration at Purdue University Calumet.[8] He also published the book Social Problems in Public School Administration in 1966.[8]

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

  1. ↑ "Dr. Quick Becomes Acting Head Of School Health Service July 1". Newspapers.com. The Herald Statesman (Yonkers, New York). June 13, 1947.
  2. ↑ "Williams Proposes Dr. Quick As Acting School Health Head". Newspapers.com. The Herald Statesman (Yonkers, New York). June 6, 1947.
  3. ↑ "School in Yonkers". Newspapers.com. Daily News (New York City). September 6, 1950.
  4. 1 2 "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.
  5. ↑ "William M. Brish Is Appointed New Superintendent Of County Schools". Newspapers.com. The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland). February 12, 1947. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  6. 1 2 "B. C. Willis Is New Supt. Of Schools". Newspapers.com. Denton Journal. May 26, 1934. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Lyall, Sarah (31 August 1988). "B.C. Willis, 86; Led Chicago Schools for 13 Years". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Ohles, Frederik; Ohles, Shirley G.; Ohles, Shirley M.; Ramsay, John G. (1997). Biographical Dictionary of Modern American Educators. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 333. ISBN 978-0-313-29133-3. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "BENJAMIN C. WILLIS, EX-CITY SCHOOLS CHIEF". Chicago Tribune. August 30, 1988. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  10. ↑ Wnek, p.10
  11. 1 2 3 4 Wnek, p. 11
  12. 1 2 "Benjamin Willis Honored At Farewell Dinner Here". Newspapers.com. The Morning Herald (Hagerstown, Maryland). April 11, 1947. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  13. ↑ "School Board Bills Scored". Newspapers.com. The Morning Herald (Hagerstown, Maryland). February 4, 1948. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  14. ↑ "School Expenses Under Fire Here". Newspapers.com. The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland). February 4, 1948. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  15. 1 2 "U.S. Education Group Elects Herald As Head". Newspapers.com. The Herald Statesman (Yonkers, New York). December 4, 1947. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 "Teachers Laud Willis, Regret His Resignation". Newspapers.com. The Herald Statesman. 12 May 1950. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  17. 1 2 "New Job for Willis". Newspapers.com. Daily News (New York City). May 11, 1950. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  18. ↑ "Educator Says TV Project Will Not Use Propaganda". Newspapers.com. The Times Record. February 10, 1953. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  19. ↑ Wnek, p. 13
  20. ↑ Wnek, pp. 12 and 13
  21. ↑ Herrick, p. 306
  22. ↑ "Willis Adopts Hunt Program As School Head". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. September 2, 1953. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 Rury, John L. (1999). "Race, Space, and the Politics of Chicago's Public Schools: Benjamin Willis and the Tragedy of Urban Education". History of Education Quarterly. 39 (2): 117–142. doi:10.2307/370035. ISSN 0018-2680. JSTOR 370035. S2CID 248818398. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  25. ↑ Herrick, p. 307
  26. ↑ "Benjamin C. Willis; Controversial Chicago School Official". Los Angeles Times. 3 September 1988. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  27. 1 2 Herrick, p. 309
  28. ↑ Herrick, p. 308
  29. 1 2 Herrick, p. 310
  30. 1 2 3 "For Equal Education Opportunity". Chicago History Museum. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  31. ↑ Homel, Michael W. (2005). "Willis Wagons". www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org. Encyclopedia of Chicago (Chicago History Museum). Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  32. ↑ "1963 Chicago Public School Boycott". WTTW News. October 22, 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  33. ↑ "Fifty years ago today, the school boycott that rocked Chicago". Washington Post. October 22, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  34. ↑ "The 1963 Chicago Public School Boycott". Facing History and Ourselves. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  35. ↑ "Chicago's Forgotten Civil Rights Demonstration Against Segregated Schools". WTTW Chicago. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  36. ↑ Skiba, Katherine (February 22, 2016). "Arrest photo of young activist Bernie Sanders emerges from Tribune archives". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  37. ↑ Murphy, Tim (August 26, 2015). "Read 21-Year-Old Bernie Sanders' Manifesto on Sexual Freedom". Mother Jones. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  38. ↑ McQuilling, Madeleine. "Benjamin Willis - Hal's great adversary". The Hal Baron Project. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  39. ↑ "Gregory Begins 5 Months In Jail". Newspapers.com. Fort Lauderdale News. -The Associated Press. April 2, 1969. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  40. ↑ Healy, Shawn. "Gregory v. City of Chicago". www.mtsu.edu. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  41. 1 2 "Benjamin C. Willis: Builder, Expert, Villain". findingaids.library.uic.edu. University of Illinois Chicago. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  42. ↑ Herrick, p. 326
  43. ↑ Herrick, pp. 333–336
  44. ↑ Herrick, p. 338
  45. 1 2 "Daley, Oldberg Laud Willis Acheivements". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. May 25, 1966. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  46. ↑ 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.
  47. ↑ "School's Duty To Students Seen Greater". Newspapers.com. The Daily Item (Port Chester, New York). January 20, 1949.

Works cited


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