Pete Ross, Democratic Candidate for
Ward 2 Councilmember in
September 12, 2000, Primary
Parents United for the D.C. Public Schools Questionnaire
August 2000

I feel that the mayor should require all of the appointed members of the school board to have at least one child attending the DC Public Schools. Furthermore, if that child should transfer from public school to private or parochial school, that should be grounds for immediate removal from the school board. I would vigorously oppose the appointment of any person to the school board if they do not have children attending the DC public schools. Secondly, I would like to see at least two of the four appointed members come from private companies that have not done any business with the District of Columbia Government.

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?

If elected to the District of Columbia Council, I would oppose any involvement of our city council in micro-management of the school system. Unfortunately, this has not been the case because relationships between certain members of the school board and the City Council. Having a private company that has never done business with any branch of the District of Columbia Government, I feel that I would be in a good position to help protect the integrity and independence of the new school board.

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 would look at the funding of our public schools in the same manner as I have treated the funding of my children's education. Give full funding to our public schools. My 5 boys attended private schools because my wife and I were not satisfied with the facilities and quality of education that the DC school system had to offer 15 years ago. Give our education system all of the funds necessary to create a first class system and build first class facilities. We need to build new schools now. This money should come from the current DC Government surplus. Our current councilmember wants to use the current surplus to reduce taxes. I believe that the complete surplus should be used to build "state of the art schools". Building first class facilities is the first step to improve our educational system. Our teachers will then have adequate facilities to educate our children, which should make it easier to attract quality educators to work for the DC public school system. However, I feel that the surplus should be used only for capital expenditures, such as building new facilities or rehabilitation of existing schools. I do not want to see us use this extra money for operating expenses.

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 do not support differentiated diplomas for students who do not pass the requirements and tests to receive regular diploma. These students should be offered the opportunity to attend school for one more year. This should be a separate school with emphasis on educating these students to attain a regular diploma. Since attendance at this "post graduate" high school would be strictly voluntary, students should understand that failure to complete assignments would be grounds for dismissal from this school. This post graduate high school should not be used a place to "house" students for an additional year.

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

I have 5 boys, Steven 24, Robbie 23, David 21, Jeffrey 19, and Marc 16. The first 4 graduated from Georgetown Day School and Marc is currently in 10th grade at GDS.