Mcpherson Back; Report Is Due

The Ann Arbor Board of Education was to meet in closed session late this afternoon amid reports Mildred Bautista, assistant to the superintendent- or Supt. R. Bruce McPherson hiraself - might be asked to resign. The afternoon meeting was to be folowed by a public meeting of the board at 7:30 p.m, tonight on the questions of Miss Bautista's qualifications. Miss Bautista, MePherson and Deputy Superintendent Philip Mcllnay returned early today from California, where they had been investigating charges made by The Ann Arbor News that Miss Bautista had falsified data on her employment apresume. McPherson said he would issue a statement on the results of the investigation later today. Board members today refused to confirm or deny reports that McPherson's resignation would be requested. McPherson was directed by the board to gather evidenee concerning Miss Bautista 's credentials and reports indicated that he left for the West Coast last day and was accompanied by both Miss Bautista and McIInay. It was also reported from a reliable source that McPherson withdrew a voucher of $3,000 for traveling expenses before he left. This was the total amount remaining in his budget for traveling. The State Department of Education will make an investigation to determine I the certification status of Miss Bautista and all administrative appointees of the I Ann Arbor Public Schools. Word of the investigation was received I today by the AnnArborEducation I ciation (AAEA) and according to David Harrell, AAEA executive director, "if administrative status is incorrect the state department will take appropriate action after notifying the district." A special meeting to ratify the suspension of Miss Bautista from her duties as assistant to the superintendent and sècretary to the Ann Arbor Board of Education will be held today at 7:30 p.m. at the Pioneer High West Cafetería. The meeting is open to the public. Miss Bautista was suspended from her duties, with pay, at a closed informal board session Wednesday night. She will remain suspended pending final determination of her case. A meeting has also been scheduled for next Wednesday with Miss Bautista. The board meeting will be closed to the public but the press will be allowed to attend. Charges were b r o u g h t recently against the schools by James Buntin, director of personnel administration, that Miss Bautista; Philip Mcllnay, deputy superintendent for planning, and David Feldman, assistant for ment programs, do not have Michigan I teacher certification. Certification requires that a personl complete specific requirements and I qualifications in order to be licensed to I teach in Michigan public schools. Harrell said he was "pleased that the I SED was responding to the request for I an investigation and he hoped a I tion of the status of new administrators here would help re-establish the public confidence in the schools during a period ' of turmoil."