Mayor Adrian Fenty and his top educational aides are struggling to hire the District’s first schools ombudsman, a crucial appointment that has apparently drawn a small pool of qualified applicants.
Fenty has said he won’t rush his national search. But educational activists are growing weary of the wait, and parents say they aren’t being served by the one-stop communications outlet.
“The challenge has been in finding the absolute right match,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso, who has oversight of the ombudsman’s office. “Only 20 districts have ombudsmen.” People have been interviewed, but they’re “just not there yet.”
The education reform act requires an ombudsman who is an experienced manager, possesses a “demonstrated ability to analyze issues and matters of law,” and has experience in social work, counseling and mediation. With access to top educational officials and records, the ombudsman is to be the main point of contact for residents on educational issues, and is expected to respond to concerns .
Cherita Whiting, Ward 4 Education Council chair and citywide educational activist, said she’s heard the administration might be leaning toward someone from Texas. The Examiner confirmed that Beverly Reeves, the Austin school district ombudsman, interviewed for the position.
“What can somebody from Texas help parents from Washington, D.C., with?” Whiting asked. “If you don’t understand the everyday concerns that students have here, how will you relate?”
The lack of an ombudsman has yet to affect customer service because Chancellor Michelle Rhee functions in that role, said Ward 6 D.C. Council Member Tommy Wells. Eventually, Wells said, Rhee will need help.
“So far, the feedback I’m getting is that Michelle Rhee responds, and that really is the best-case scenario in some ways,” Wells said.
