Jonetta Rose Barras
Saluting Robert Bobb: A public servant
By: Jonetta Rose Barras
Examiner Columnist
December 29, 2008
He fought hard against Mayor Adrian M. Fenty winning control of the D.C. Public Schools. But despite his best efforts, which included presenting a competing proposal to the D.C Council's Committee of the Whole, Robert Bobb and his allies lost: Superintendent Clifford Janey got fired and the local Board of Education was reconstructed as the State Board of Education.
In protest, one board member resigned. Bobb had promised to do the same. Instead, he stayed, putting aside his personal feelings while renewing his commitment to the children of the District and education reform. Some thought he and his members would sabotage the mayor's efforts. But the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), which the state board advises, has been without the kind of controversy that has marked changes at the DCPS.
OSSE and the state board have done major work this year.
It approved regulations governing teacher certification; standards for modern world language, truancy regulations, home school regulations and arts education standards among other things. Credit goes not just to Deborah Gist, the state superintendent, but also to Bobb, as board president.
Bobb repeatedly displays the stuff of a true leader. He gets my annual political salute for his work on the state board and for reinforcing the gold standard for public service.
He came to the District from Oakland, Calif., to serve as city administrator during the waning years of Mayor Anthony A. Williams' administration. His salary, then well above what was being paid the mayor, raised questions. But he proved worth the price.
“Coming to the District of Columbia certainly was the highlight of my career,” he said during an interview with me. “I have Anthony Williams to thank for that. He was all about the city and never about Anthony Williams. That gave me to freedom to do my job.”
I only wished Williams had found Bobb earlier. Some of the reforms Williams wanted to implement, like managed competition, surely would have been instituted. The city would be even better off than it is today.
Bobb's accomplishments as city administrator were many. He kept the Youth Services Administration out of the hands of a court receiver; pushed for the creation of crime “hot spots,” helping to reduce homicides by nearly 80 percent; launched the new communities project, which will recreate blighted neighborhoods; and improved Williams' standing in areas of the city that didn't much like the executive.
When Williams chose not to seek a third term, residents were happy enough with Bobb's service; they elected him president of the board. His term expires this week; he decided not to run for re-election. But, he pledges to continue his work in education, focusing on increasing the literacy rate among African-American boys.
If we're lucky, he may consider returning to the political arena. In 2010, a couple of council seats are up. Councilman Bobb sounds nice.
In protest, one board member resigned. Bobb had promised to do the same. Instead, he stayed, putting aside his personal feelings while renewing his commitment to the children of the District and education reform. Some thought he and his members would sabotage the mayor's efforts. But the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), which the state board advises, has been without the kind of controversy that has marked changes at the DCPS.
OSSE and the state board have done major work this year.
It approved regulations governing teacher certification; standards for modern world language, truancy regulations, home school regulations and arts education standards among other things. Credit goes not just to Deborah Gist, the state superintendent, but also to Bobb, as board president.
Bobb repeatedly displays the stuff of a true leader. He gets my annual political salute for his work on the state board and for reinforcing the gold standard for public service.
He came to the District from Oakland, Calif., to serve as city administrator during the waning years of Mayor Anthony A. Williams' administration. His salary, then well above what was being paid the mayor, raised questions. But he proved worth the price.
“Coming to the District of Columbia certainly was the highlight of my career,” he said during an interview with me. “I have Anthony Williams to thank for that. He was all about the city and never about Anthony Williams. That gave me to freedom to do my job.”
I only wished Williams had found Bobb earlier. Some of the reforms Williams wanted to implement, like managed competition, surely would have been instituted. The city would be even better off than it is today.
Bobb's accomplishments as city administrator were many. He kept the Youth Services Administration out of the hands of a court receiver; pushed for the creation of crime “hot spots,” helping to reduce homicides by nearly 80 percent; launched the new communities project, which will recreate blighted neighborhoods; and improved Williams' standing in areas of the city that didn't much like the executive.
When Williams chose not to seek a third term, residents were happy enough with Bobb's service; they elected him president of the board. His term expires this week; he decided not to run for re-election. But, he pledges to continue his work in education, focusing on increasing the literacy rate among African-American boys.
If we're lucky, he may consider returning to the political arena. In 2010, a couple of council seats are up. Councilman Bobb sounds nice.
Follow The Examiner
