Allegations of evasive responses, a lack of respect and general ineffectiveness could stall the confirmation of Mayor Adrian Fenty’s nominee to lead the Department of Education, or even herald his outright rejection, D.C. Council members said Monday.
Acting Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso hopes to be confirmed today, along with acting Chancellor Michelle Rhee and acting Facilities Chief Allen Lew. But Council Chairman Vincent Gray’s staff said late Monday that Reinoso was not on the agenda at that time. Gray had cited a “level of discomfort” with Reinoso.
“I just want to understand from his perspective exactly what it is that he does and what it is that he adds,” Gray said after a four-hour hearing on the status of the Education Department.
Reinoso has absorbed a great deal of criticism in recent weeks — for copying parts of the mayor’s education strategy from that of other jurisdictions without credit, for his role in no-bid contracts totaling $3 million with a pair of controversial auditors, for assisting in Rhee’s secret selection and for acting slowly to hire a school-ombudsman.
“Obviously I’m hopeful I will be there, as a team moving forward,” Reinoso said after testifying. “We work hand in hand with everyone else, and it makes great sense to, I believe the mayor, to have this team approved as a group.”
Reinoso’s “acting” status lasts until late November, so his job is not in jeopardy even if he’s left off today’s agenda. He would be considered passively approved if the council opts not to vote at all.
Gray, who met with Reinoso on Friday for a “frank discussion” about the nomination, said he didn’t leave Monday’s hearing any more comfortable with the deputy mayor than before. The chairman and other council members have been annoyed with Reinoso’s tendency to answer questions with a “yes” or a “no.”
“I don’t want to discuss him right now,” Ward 8 Council Member Marion Barry said as he left the hearing. At-large Council Member Kwame Brown said Reinoso’s fate was “yet to be determined.”
