The D.C. public school leaders lack a sense of urgency to improve education in Washington, the District’s Democratic nominee for mayor said Tuesday after meeting with the superintendent and school board.
Adrian Fenty, the city’s presumptive next chief executive, is considering a controversial move to take over the school system, though the tactic would require D.C. Council and congressional approval.
Under his model, patterned after one employed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in New York City, a chancellor would take charge and the Board of Education would be relegated to an advisory role.
“Maybe under the current structure there’s not the sense of urgency that you get when you talk to the parents about it,” Fenty said Tuesday, hours after meeting with most Board of Education members and Superintendent Clifford Janey.
Fenty, who has made improving the schools his No. 1 priority, said he came away from the meeting feeling like the current structure “doesn’t promote accountability.” As for Janey, Fenty said, “his position is part of the structure.”
Last week, Janey introduced his 15-year plan to reform the school system, a blueprint to close or consolidate some 28 schools and cut out 3 million square feet of under- or unused buildings. Patricia Williams, the superintendent’s spokeswoman, said Janey was “very encouraged by the meeting.”
School Board Member JoAnne Ginsberg said she disagreed with Fenty’s perception, though she thought “we had a good first meeting and we opened up a dialogue.”
“I think that we need to make the changes we need to make in order to increase student achievement immediately,” Ginsberg said.
“I think the board does share his sense of urgency, and I think the superintendent recognizes it, too,” she said.
Mayor Anthony Williams sought to take over the school system two years ago, but his attempt was stifled by council opposition.
