D.C. mayor meets with Board of Education President and Superintendent
Following the D.C. Council’s final vote approving Mayor Adrian Fenty’s proposal to take over D.C. Public Schools (DCPS), the mayor has met with Board of Education President Robert C. Bobb and Superintendent Clifford B. Janey. Emerging from the brief meeting, both Mr. Bobb and Mr. Janey pledged to cooperate to iron out issues such as the school budget, a forensic audit of the school system's finances, and other transition issues. During the post-meeting press conference, Mayor Fenty said, "We think it's mandatory for the future of this city, and the future of the children in our school system, that the three of us ... get together as soon as possible to start discussing how we are going to work together." There was a suggestion of tension below the surface. It became visible when reporters asked about Mr. Fenty's proposal to create a new position—that of a chancellor, who would report directly to the mayor. Mr. Fenty deflected questions on whom he might select, while Mr. Janey said, "I expect fully to move forward as part of this team." Some council members and parents believe Mr. Fenty needs to decide quickly whether to retain Mr. Janey. D.C. Councilman Jack Evans says a chancellor is needed in place by the start of school. He adds that a priority is getting quick approval from Congress for a bill permitting the new arrangement and that the mayor needs to begin the process of evaluating the school budget, "given the state of what [the city chief financial officer] could only describe as chaos."
Washington Post
By Theola Labbé
[Full story]
[Editor’s Note: For background, see below.]
[NSBA School Law pages on D.C. and L.A. mayoral takeovers]