School reform hearings: Is anyone being heard?

Judging from the D.C. Council hearing — excuse me, witch hunt — on seizing control of the school system, the deal is done. It is all over but more shouting to celebrate Mayor Greenhorn’s victory.

I asked D.C. Board of Education President Robert C. Bobb yesterday whether he thought the council had made up its mind.

Still licking his wounds in the aftermath of Tuesday’s merciless council blood bath, he answered, “Are you kidding? Did you watch those hearings?”

Indeed I did, and it wasn’t a pretty sight.

There was no Southern hospitality coming from that Wilson Building dais. To be sure, witnesses, especially Superintendent Clifford B. Janey, were berated, badgered, interrupted and not allowed to answer questions during a kangaroo-court-style inquest.

“It’s too little, too late,” shouted one council member after another of the newly elected board’s plan. Focusing on academic achievement, it was presented as an alternative to the power-grabbing takeover that Mayor Adrian M. Fenty sought.

Meanwhile, most of the council members can’t wait to get their hands on the school system’s budget through the convoluted Fenty plan. They pontificate ad nauseam about the ills of D.C. schools, which have been abused and neglected by many long before either Mr. Bobb or Mr. Janey arrived on the sullied scene.

Marion Barry, the former mayor and Ward 8 Democrat, was the worst offender. It is clear he takes no culpability for the abysmal failures of the school system as he ticks off his long list of city service, including years as the school board president and four terms as mayor.

Sounding like the lone voice of reason, Carol Schwartz, at-large Republican, asked the most pertinent question of the day: Is any information available that suggests that elected boards versus appointed boards or mayoral control make one iota of difference in improving academic achievement? The answer is no.

In fact, Mr. Bobb presented test scores from cities where student achievement has risen under the authority of elected school bodies. The new, untested school board under Mr. Bobb’s direction presented a plan, with oversight and accountability standards that could be implemented without amending the city’s Home Rule Act.

No one, especially Mr. Bobb or the new board, he said, is interested in maintaining the status quo. But he thinks it is unfair to talk about the problems only. Students are achieving great things despite the obstacles in school and in their homes. Just visit Frazier O’Leary’s classes at Cardozo High School if you want examples.

All this rehashing of the school system’s problems is counterproductive and a sham. The majority of council members, for their various political reasons and agendas, are determined to pass this school governance legislation.

Chairman Vincent C. Gray should simply stop this charade and call for the vote. Save D.C. residents their time, their passion and a few bucks by canceling the rest of these meaningless hearings. Go ahead and strip them of their voting rights and be done with it so everybody can move on to the next round of back-to-the-future school reform experiments.

What they should do is check their tirades and at least act as though they have an open mind to their constituents’ and witnesses’ comments in the future.

“Public bodies must have public processes,” said a conciliatory Mr. Bobb. He concedes that Mr. Fenty has won the votes on the council to neuter the school board.

Story Continues →