Rhee fires 98 school administrative workers

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D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee yesterday dismissed nearly 100 school system employees in the first wave of firings since she was granted increased personnel authority by the D.C. Council in January.

Schools spokeswoman Mafara Hobson said 98 administrative employees were to be given separation notices yesterday. Another 18 had already declined reappointment to their positions without tenure, meaning a total of 116 employees have been dismissed so far by the chancellor.

Miss Hobson said none of the dismissed employees provided direct services to students and that all were administrative workers. She said the firings were handed down as the chancellor continues "to assess the size and composition of the administrative work force."

"The terminations are intended to allow DCPS to discharge its administrative functions efficiently with the appropriate number of people to address performance concerns," Miss Hobson said.

Miss Hobson said 393 of 726 central office employees are affected by the personnel legislation.

Mrs. Rhee yesterday sent a letter to all central office staff informing them that she issued the termination notices and saying that she will "continue to assess the size, performance and organization of our office."

"While the changes may be difficult for us as adults, I am confident that we are making the choices that are going to be best for our kids," the chancellor said. "Thank you for your work on behalf of the District's children."

The personnel legislation passed by the council and requested by Mrs. Rhee and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty granted the chancellor more power to fire underperforming employees in the school system's central office.

Under terms of the new law, employees past a probationary period can be fired "at the discretion of the mayor" after they are served with a 15-day separation notice, as long as they have had a performance evaluation within the previous six months.

Union employees and those hired before 1980 are exempt.

The new law also states that affected employees have the choice of being reappointed to their jobs but without tenure — a variation of the "at-will" status Mrs. Rhee initially requested from the council.

The council approved the law in a 10 to 3 vote, with members Harry Thomas Jr., Ward 5 Democrat; Marion Barry, Ward 8 Democrat; and Phil Mendelson, at-large Democrat dissenting.

Mr. Mendelson said he had heard about the firings but was reserving judgement until he gets more details about the circumstances surrounding them.

"It's hard to comment without knowing the details," he said. "I would think it's enormously destabilizing to lose a hundred people at one time."

• David C. Lipscomb contributed to this report