John Fanning, Democratic candidate for
Ward 2 Councilmember
September 12, 2000 Primary
Parents United for the D.C. Public Schools Questionnaire
August 2000

The Council will have to confirm School Board appointees based on referrals from a nominating advisory committee appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. That nominating committee is not even in place at this time. Their choices will not be made known unfit after the election of public members from the various school districts. The whole point of the proposed appointments will be to provide additional talents from the community which may not be reflected by the members chosen in elections. The Mayor in proposing the appointment process, indicated he would look to managerial abilities, financial expertise and other such qualifications depending on the Board's preliminary makeup. Therefore it is premature to indicate what qualities I would took for as it depends on the elections, the advisory committee's recommendations and the Mayor's choices as well.

I will be looking fort the process to reflect community input and realistic qualification standards. X will look to reasonable expectations of the appointees full participation in the school board function as these people are said to be so busy that they don't have ties to campaign for public office, (so do they have the time and commitment to serve?) This process is new and does not provide for direct input of the community except through hearings on appointments- I will listen closely to the testimony of the parent and education community as it pertains to these potential appointees before making a decision on the viability of various nominees.

2. What is the difference between oversight and micro-management of the school system? What is the role of the Council with respect to public schools since some members of the School Board now have a relationship with the Council? How will you assure that the Superintendent is accountable to the School Board rather than pulled between the Mayor, Council and School Board?

We must not substitute micro-management of the Council for alleged micro-management of the previous Beards of Education. Extraneous demands on the DCPS for minutiae regarding school operations can bog down school administrators and should be kept to a minimum of ` essential information. The operating budget, however, should be clearly available to all concerned parties and its functional applications. Essential statistics such as student scores, programs, measures of success in increasing student attendance, reducing drop outs, Federal funding and its apportionment etc. should be readily available to all policy makers.

The Superintendent should not be subjected to reversals of policies that are based an academic needs of children. (Such as Summer school and testing cuts made in the 2001 Budget by Council) The location of schools and their programs, staffing and building uses should trot be political footballs. Second guessing the policy direction of the Superintendent and School Board is not the role of the Council. I would take the attitude of using line item authority sparingly at the Council arid would question the affect on academic policy of any such usage. School Board members should not be creatures of nor enemies of the Council- We should try to work for a cooperative atmosphere that creates a free flow of essential information that will lead to polices which will work for children rather than political advantage. If the Mayor and School Board approach the Council in substantial agreement on matters of the budget, that should carry great weight toward funding goals. Full sharing of budget information will mean accountability for funding will be constantly improved. For example: State Education functions must be brought under control so as not to adversely impact the regular school budget.

3. What steps would you take to see that the school system’s operating budget and capital budget are adequately funded to meet students’ needs for a high quality educational program? Please include comments on financing for new school construction and rehabilitation and funding high quality occupational training/career opportunities that do not now exist.

I do not view full funding for DC Public Schools to be only the funding of the current Superintendent's budget request. Rather, it must be viewed as the finances necessary to implement long term improvements in academic standards, student achievement, and the facilities necessary for our children. I strongly support the Weighted Student Formula approach to guaranteeing equity in funding among area schools, school levels and geographical interests. I would adjust per pupil allotments upward if needed to guarantee student competitiveness and to match surrounding jurisdictions efforts. We must implement the highest laves of applicable technology. throughout the schools rather than have technology demonstration projects.

We must maximize federal financing for DCPS programs ( such as School to Work, Safe and Drug Free Schools, E-Rate reimbursements etc), determine income qualifications more effectively at local schools and apply for all available programs for which we may qualify. Medicaid recovery for services delivered and their proper documentation remains a pressing need throughout DC government.

I am dedicated to making long term financial commitments that can be assigned toward a Long Term Facilities Master Plan implementation. Renovation and modernization of schools. consistent with revenue projections and available bonding authority must be a top goal. We must dedicate a major portion (25% or more) of our bonding authority capacity to public schools.

4. Our older students have such low achievement levels that will not graduate with competitive skills unless they receive additional support. What are you willing to do to help the school system raise achievement at the high school level? Would you accept differentiated diplomas so that students who do not pass requirements and tests receive a diploma that is different from the diploma for students who do not pass requirements and tests?

I would target per pupil increases in the Weighted Student Formula at the Middle School and High School level to address deficiencies in current funding levels. We must address turnaround efforts that emphasize small class size and individual attention to bring students up to grade level. We must improve teacher skills and technology. We have not kept pace in course offerings and resources taken for granted in other school systems. We must expand GED and Adult education programs and availability to surpass levels which were available in years past. Budget alts of recent years have affected our ability to reach students after they drop out or fail to graduate. I oppose in principle the concept of differentiated diplomas that might work to discriminate against students who have not been well served by the school system. I believe the greatest possible remedial effort should be undertaken for those who desire to complete their qualifications for standard school graduation requirements. This must be done without disadvantaging smaller schools or our emphasis on Early Childhood Development programs. Hopefully these needs will be reduced as effects of these initiatives are realized.

5. If you have children, do your children attend D.C. Public Schools? Which schools? For how long?

I do not have children.