FRANCIS MARION WOOD

	Dr. Francis Marion Wood, Director of Col- ored Schools, came to Baltimore August 1 , 1925. Dr. Wood was born in Glasgow, Barren County. Kentucky, 1878, and received his com- mon school education in that city- After com- pleting his elementary education, he studied at the State Normal School, now Kentucky Normal and Industrial College, from which he received two diplomas, one from the aca- demic department of the State Normal School and the other from the agricultural depart- ment of the same institution. In 1906 the de- gree of Master of Arts was conferred on him by Eckstein Norton University, which later merged with Lincoln Institute of Kentucky. Dr. Wood began his career in a one-room log school in the rural district of his native state, and during a service of many years has taught in all grades of elementary, high schools and college. He has served as prin- cipal of elementary schools, high schools, and president of the Kentucky Normal and Indus- trial College at Frankfort, Kentucky. By the Kentucky State Superintendent of Public In- struction he was appointed State Supervisor of all the schools of Kentucky, having under his supervision about fifteen hundred teachers. Dr. Wood wag also Director of the Rosenwald Fund for Kentucky and supervised the build- ing of many Rosenwald schools in that Stale. In 1924, under the auspices of the General Education Board of New York City, he was sent to Hampton Institute, where for twelve months he pursued courses in English, Sci- ence, History and Education. Dr. Wood has often mentioned that, so far as he knows, he came to Baltimore by accident, having been invited by the Superintendent and Board of School Commissioners to consider the super- vision of colored schools in Baltimore City. Dr. Wood is married and has four children. Mrs. Wood is a graduate of the Kentucky Normal and Industrial College and has had several years of experience as a tearher. She has specialized in English and Home Eco- nomics,	Dr Wood IB now completing me sixth year as administrator of the colored schools of Bal- timore City. During his administration the colored schools have had a tremendous growth, not only in the addition of many principal- ships, supervisors, assistant supervisors and special teachers, but by the marked improve- ment in instruction. In a public address a few months ago. Mrs. Mane O. Bauerschmidt stated that the colored schools of Baltimore had made more progress since 1925 than they had made during any previous forty years. On December 15, 1930, a public testimonial was piven Dr. Wood, at which time tbe offi- cials of Baltimore City, headed by His Honor William F. Broening, Mayor of the City ; the Board of School Commissioners, headed by Mr. William Lee Rawls, president ; the Board of Superintendents, headed by Dr. David E. Weg- lein. superintendent ; the Public School Asso- ciation, headed by Mrs. Marie O. Bauern- schmidt, executive secretary : and Morgan Col- lege, headed by Dr. J. O. Spencer, president. lauded the achievements of tht colored public schools under the directorship of Dr. Wood. On this occasion a very handsome scroll was presented the Director of Colored Schools. on which the names of the city officials, school officials, and about seven hundred teachers in the colored schools were inscribed. On the same occasion a very handsome portfolio was presented Dr. Wood by the Public School Asso- ciation of Baltimore City in recognition of his services rendered to all the people of Balti- more. In further recognition of his service and with a view of increasing his efficiency as administrator of the colored schools of Balti- more, the Board of School Commissioners, at its meeting on May 7th. upon the recom- mendation of Dr. David E. Weplein. voted to turn over to Dr. Wood and his assistants the present Administration Building at Madison imd Lafavete Avenues, After July 1, 1931. Dr. Wood and hifc force of thirty individuals will occupy the Administration BuiSdiner. Dr. Wood received bin deprree of Doctor of Peda- gogy at the commencement exercises at Mor- tran College. June 2, 1931.

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