The District’s Democratic nominee for mayor all but committed Monday to attempt to take over the city’s public schools, hinting at a December proposal that would follow the model developed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Adrian Fenty, the Ward 4 D.C. Council member, said he would make a final decision on the future of the District’s educational system after the Nov. 7 general election, which he is expected to win easily. But after meeting with Bloomberg and New York Schools Chancellor Joel Klein Monday, Fenty made clear he was on board with the Big Apple’s approach to educational organization — with the mayor in charge.
“People these days want big-city mayors to get involved in education in a way they haven’t before,” Fenty said during a news conference with Bloomberg outside the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Subway Station.
In many ways, New York is becoming the standard-bearer in how to run big cities, Fenty said.
Bloomberg’s plan placed the public schools squarely under the mayor’s authority. The superintendent now works under a Department of Education and reports directly to Bloomberg and Klein, the chancellor. The board of education has been relegated to an advisory role.
New York also implemented leadership training for principals, established an accountability initiative and set consequences for schools that continue to fail. The city, Klein said, will “not leave kids in dead-end schools.”
“He’s doing a heroic thing,” Klein said of Fenty. “He’s not just saying he wants the authority, but he wants to be held accountable.”
Bloomberg said he thought Fenty would make an “excellent mayor,” adding he was impressed that the 35-year-old Fenty “thinks everything can be done.” During breakfast at a city diner, the two “chit-chatted about everything under the sun,” Bloomberg said, including homeland security, helping the poor and “dealing with failed education systems.”
“No one expects you to know everything or be an expert on everything,” Bloomberg said, offering Fenty his best advice. “If you try new things and they never fail, you’re not trying enough.”
Outgoing D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams tried to bring the school system under his control in 2004, but ran into Council opposition. But times have changed since then, Fenty said.
“Loud and clear the residents of the District of Columbia have said not only is education the highest priority, but the status quo is no longer acceptable,” he said.
While in New York, Fenty met with Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and other city leaders, toured public safety offices and participated in a fundraiser. He also visited the rooftop of Rockefeller Center with Rob Speyer, senior managing director of Tishman Speyer. The company, which is operating partner and managing and leasing agent for Rockefeller Center, is now buying a portfolio of 29 District properties, including several high-profile properties on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Fenty has similar trips planned in the coming weeks to Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
