Washington, D.C., City Council prepared to place school system under control of Mayor Fenty
The Washington, D.C., City Council is prepared to place the D.C. school system under the control of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty as early as next month, but council members acknowledge some public opposition and describe the takeover as one of the biggest gambles the city will have taken. "It's a big risk," says council Chairman Vincent C. Gray. "This is probably the toughest issue we'll face." He says it is not clear that mayoral control will guarantee improvements in school performance. Although the council is expected to amend the plan, including by requiring the mayor to show improvements in the failing system within a certain period, Mr. Gray indicates the mayor probably will win an easy majority when the council votes. "If you think you are going to be successful, put it on the line," he says. "My thought is to give him five years." As a result, members are discussing a "sunset provision," which would allow the council to withdraw mayoral control or authorize a referendum on the issue. The mayor has indicated he is open to minor amendments, but he is adamant that the council maintain the core tenets of his bill. He opposes the sunset provision, contending it is unnecessary because the council would be free to change the governance structure at any time through regular legislation. The Washington Teachers’ Union has endorsed the mayor’s plan, while the largest union representing city employees is opposed and has issued a position paper calling for a "consensus plan."
The proposed plan strips the school board of its authority over the superintendent and budget. However, the board would continue to have input on predominantly educational functions usually handled by state boards, such as teacher certification and standardized testing. Another proposed amendment would allow the board to retain some administrative powers, such as the right to hire the chief state education officer and a school ombudsman. Robert C. Bobb, the president of the board, says some proposed amendments are a "step in the right direction," but he questions the five-year timetable. "The pace of reforming this urban system is going to take longer than five years," he says. Although opponents of the takeover say the mayor and the council are rushing the plan without a referendum and while two council seats are vacant, Mr. Gray rejects the criticism, saying most council members want a change in the status quo. He also hopes critics will be satisfied by the council’s amendments and says some council members want to impose a deadline. In New York, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was given eight years to improve schools. In Cleveland and Boston, the mayoral takeovers were put before voters after the efforts were underway. Mr. Gray says his idea of a five-year deadline is designed to separate the issue from the mayor's four-year term and reelection bid. "I really don't want to politicize it," he adds.
Washington Post
By Nikita Stewart & David Nakamura
[Full story]
[Editor’s Note: For background, including information on the alternative reform plan proposed by the school board, see below.]
[NSBA School Law pages on D.C. mayoral takeover]