Harry Jaffe: McKinley Tech firings arm Chancellor Rhee's enemies
By: Harry Jaffe
Examiner Columnist
October 7, 2009
In her letter alerting principals that the school system would have to fire 229 teachers, schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee promised to handle the difficult situation without disrupting students or classes.
Did she?
For one school, the answer apparently is a resounding no. McKinley Technology High School lost 15 teachers Friday. Some were adored, some were tired, a few were helping students heading to college. Police had to walk some teachers from the classrooms. Students and parents were shocked at the scene after school the day before a sunny weekend. Some confronted police. Cops Maced one 17-year-old girl in the face, and cuffed another student and a parent. The teachers union blog dubbed Oct. 2 "Black Friday."
It got uglier and uglier. Students from McKinley marched on the school system's headquarters and city hall Monday. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has threatened to stage rallies on Freedom Plaza later this week.
In losing control over the McKinley firings, Rhee has played into the hands of her enemies. McKinley is a storied, strong school that's getting better. It lies near the intersection of North Capitol Street and Rhode Island Avenue. Thirty years ago it was known for its sterling college prep programs and Fab Five basketball team. Last year the school system finished renovating the grand brick structure with its imposing white columns. The neighborhood, which had succumbed to drug dealing and crime, is getting spruced up -- gentrified, as they say.
Rhee might have been expecting a melee across the Anacostia River at Ballou or Anacostia High. Would that she had realized that McKinley, in the crossroads of change, would blow up. It was underenrolled by 100 students; teachers had to go.
McKinley is in Councilman Harry Thomas Jr.'s ward, and he is always happy to lead a protest against Rhee. Keep in mind that Thomas voted for the budget cuts that forced the firings. McKinley also lies in the lair of Robert Brainum, one of Rhee's constant critics. When students wanted to march, Brainum was more than happy to organize and lead -- against Rhee.
And then there's Council Chairman Vincent Gray, always looking for a reason to challenge Rhee and, through her, Mayor Adrian Fenty. Gray has promised a hearing, which will turn into a show trial no doubt, with the ravings of Marion Barry.
What gets lost in the mishandling of McKinley is that for the rest of the 128 public schools, the firings caused barely a ripple. More than 100 lost two or fewer. Principals planned and alerted parents. Most teachers, students and parents know teachers in every school who fail to teach. They had to go. Rhee had little choice.
Did she succeed in firing teachers without disrupting classes? At McKinley, no; across town, the answer is yes. If the city council members would canvass their constituents, they would find massive support for Rhee and her crusade to reform the schools. That's hard work. The easy path is to follow the few complainers.
Unfortunately, Rhee has given them ammo.
E-mail Harry Jaffe at hjaffe@washingtonexaminer.com.
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