Myths

Dear Myth Makers:

I promise to write about something else soon, but for now I'm stuck on that same old subject, the continuing upset and uproar over school governance, and the continued uncertainty that the mayor and his allies are foisting on the schools. As I wrote in the last issue, in the wake of the overwhelming 11-2 city counsel vote to return to an all-elected school board in 2007, the mayor has continued to press councilmembers and lobby them to give him power over the schools. His latest proposal, which he started circulating to councilmembers just two days after their vote, is now available online at http://www.dcpswatch.com/dcps/040423.htm. It's well worth reading, because the structure that it proposes to run the schools is nearly incomprehensible, a confused and unwieldy hybrid structure that is even worse than the current elected-appointed hybrid board. This proposal makes a hash of the mayor's previous argument that all he wants to do is streamline and simplify school governance, and it makes a hash of school governance itself.

But I want to write about two myths that have been encouraged by the mayor and his allies. The first myth is that the mayor made an offer that if he were given the power to run the schools, and if he failed to bring about major reform within a year, he would resign from office. This myth is being repeated frequently, and has been given credence in the past week by two columnists who are usually accurate and trustworthy, William Raspberry in The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42115-2004Apr25.html) and Tom Knott in The Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/knott.htm). The mayor did say that he would consider something like that on WTOP's Ask the Mayor program, but he backtracked immediately when he was asked about it as his next weekly press conference. Then he retreated to saying that he would relinquish control over the schools if he didn't succeed in a year, and then he retreated to saying that he would consider relinquishing control over the schools. The myth is that the mayor offered to resign; the fact is that he made no commitment to anything.

The second myth is that the city has had an elected school board for the past thirty years, that no other structure has been tried, and that if we want to change the schools we have to change the school governance structure from an elected school board to something — anything — else. The fact is that we haven't had an elected school board running our city's schools for a significant period since 1996. In that year, the Control Board took over control of the schools, shunted the elected school board to the side, and made it purely advisory and ignored all of its advice. The Control Board's takeover of the schools resembled the mayor's various takeover proposals in several ways, most closely in the underlying philosophy that DC's education problems could be fixed by replacing the oversight of dumb citizens with that of smart, handpicked businessmen, and by putting a strongman superintendent in charge and giving him a free hand to run the schools without citizen interference or input. The Control Board and Superintendent General Becton made a mess of things. In 2001, when the Control Board went out of business and relinquished control of the schools, it was only a few months before the mayor's plan for a hybrid board — the plan that he promised would give him all the power he needed to improve schools and would make him accountable — was put into effect. The myth is that putting the mayor in control of the schools would be the change; the fact is that putting the public back into control would be the real change.

I'm sometimes accused of a naive faith in democracy. There are worse things to put your faith in. Democratic governments often lead to failures, sometimes prolonged failures. The solution to failure in a democracy isn't to abandon democracy; it's to elect different people.

Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com

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Stepchildren
Larry Seftor, Larry underscore Seftor at compuserve dot com

I was in the Dupont Circle area Saturday night when a small demonstration of about two to three hundred people (my estimate) passed. It was truly impressive to see the police escort that accompanied the marchers. About eight patrol cars (again my estimate) led and trailed and accompanied the marchers. My first reaction was a sense of satisfaction that the right to speak freely is so actively supported by our local Government. The more I thought, however, the more I was struck with the disparity between the level of police support these peaceful marchers received compared to the responsiveness towards local residents. You see, late last year I needed help from the police to defuse a tense situation. It took four calls and over forty-five minutes to get any police response. It is striking that despite being paid from local funding, the police find the national agenda of supporting demonstrations more compelling than responding to a cry for help by a local. With this realization, it is clearer than ever that we citizens of DC are stepchildren in our own city.

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Why the Middle Class Is Not Attracted to DC
Zinnia, cmszinnia@earthlink.net

Several weeks ago I read a report of a study by the Tax Foundation that said that if DC were a state we would have the second highest tax burden right after New York state. What a distinction. Then shortly afterwards I read in the City Paper that the city wants to add a new entertainment tax but, of course, since this is DC, the MCI Center and the Kennedy Center would be exempt. Who would bear the burden? The middle class people who have been priced out of those venues. This week the Northwest Current reported that the city wants to tax hospital and nursing home stays. Those services are not expensive enough as it is. If all these crazy taxes are enacted we will beat New York state and be number one.

I may be off base, but I think that high taxes are a disincentive to people who are considering moving into the District. To make the city even more attractive you add bad schools, miserable roads, and generally bad service. As I write this, I wonder why I stay.

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Bonus
Erich Martel, ehmartel@starpower.net

The District school board's $33,750 bonus award to departing Superintendent Massie for meeting performance goals for five months ends decades of confusion over what I am paid to do as a teacher. I now realize that my 90 percent of my salary, to paraphrase Woody Allen, “is just [for] showing up” (well, for most of us, that is). I'm not expected to do anything, like teach, unless I get a bonus. So, like Supt. Massie, can I sign up now “for goals to be spelled out later”? Oh, and will anybody mind if I [say I have a] docter-it?

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Goal of Education
Edward Cowan, Friendship Heights, edcowan1114@yahoo.com

Once again, Gary Imhoff lets his preoccupation, if not obsession, with what he regards as grassroots participation deflect him focusing on the essential goal of schooling, public and private: the education of the children. If New York’s approach under Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein leads to significant, continuing improvements in scores for reading and mathematics, it would have to be deemed successful, even if some parents don’t like Klein’s style. If scores don’t improve, the experiment will have failed.

As for the District, public education, as determined by scores, school security, peculation, nonfeasance and the turnover of superintendents, is and has been highly unsatisfactory. School boards have been elected, in whole or part, for thirty years. Overall they have a sorry record. A top-down approach, with greater freedom to replace ineffective teachers, is another approach. Imhoff advocates patience. That’s not a remedy, or even a respectable alternative.

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One Sentence Says It All
Richard Layman, rlaymandc@yahoo.com

[Amy McVey, themail, April 25, wrote:] “Considering the fire department repeatedly refused to speak with the owner of the Tenley Mini-mart about purchasing that land, an obvious solution to both preservation and expansion, on the grounds that there was no money, I will not believe that another firehouse is even being considered until it is up and running.” I admit I am not knowledgeable about all of the past discussion on E20. I guess I didn’t realize that DC FEMS determined that there is demand for a rescue squad up there. Nonetheless, a solution is present in the acquisition of the convenience store and the incorporation of it into an E20 complex. I fear suggesting the use of eminent domain powers, but some instances, like this one, can justify careful use of such authority. This evident solution, to me, undercuts all arguments for a public safety exemption to the historic preservation laws.

Another thing, in the context of PUD zoning, if it comes up in cases along upper Wisconsin, would be for the consideration of the inclusion of a firehouse as part of the public amenities process. Rather than buying off nearby neighbors with health club memberships, get something substantive, something that truly contributes to an improved quality of life for District residents. In either case, this demonstrates the pressing need for an overall property management strategy for the District Government, with leadership coming from OPM. However, this leadership has to be sensitive, not interested in centralizing authority, but in providing technical assistance, guidance, and leadership to the agencies, while ensuring that the overall needs of the citizens are being met in a broader context than the agencies seem to be accustomed to considering today.

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Re: One Sentence Says It All
Amy McVey, amybmcvey@msn.com

[Reply to Richard Levine:] I could not agree with you more! We even suggested eminent domain before anyone knew if the previous owner would sell. It turns out the owner’s father was a DCFD Captain and he wanted nothing more then for his property to be used for the firehouse. He was selling for less than two million dollars and even showed up at a hearing (either fine arts or zoning) to try to get someone to talk to him. We tried at least half a dozen times to get him an appointment, and finally we gave it one more shot last fall. He had sold the property fewer than sixty days before. It is very sad situation all the way around. My family has a four-generation history in Tenleytown and AU Park, and it is at this firehouse where I met my husband more than twenty three years ago and it is here where he is still assigned, albeit he is temporarily stationed elsewhere. I definitely am attached to the old place!

I have approached the Chief twice now in an attempt to get him to talk about the idea of using the PUD as a means to get needed equipment and/or space for DCFD, and it has been mentioned at several meetings with other ANC Chairs. It is not easy discussing things with him because I don’t believe he has an understanding of the process. I also managed to get a semi-firm commitment from one developer who has already made a PUD application to supply the new firehouse with a hazmat trailer (approximately $50,000 in value, which is lacking not only in this community, but also in short supply in the entire city.

I believe there are unfortunately more maneuverings behind the scenes here that are not made public. I am not quite sure how to describe exactly what I mean without being accusatory and I do not want to do that without having more facts. There is such a complex history to this story making if difficult all the way around. The bottom line is that we are working very hard make all parties happy with public safety taking the lead.

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CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS

C & O Canal Celebration, May 1
Tim Siegel, timsiegel@earthlink.net

Come celebrate the preservation and legacy of the C & O Canal this Saturday, May 1, the fiftieth anniversary of Supreme Court Justice Douglas’ historic hike that galvanized public support to preserve the entire canal as a national park. Thousands of hikers who did various legs, or the entirety, of the Canal’s more than 180 miles will be en route to Georgetown that day. And down at Lockhouse 8 between Carederock and Glen Echo, the Potomac Conservancy will be previewing their midpoint renovation of this historic building that is being converted into an environmental learning center. For more information, see http://www.lockhouse.org.

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Cleveland Park Citizens Association Meeting, May 1
George Idelson, Cleveland Park Citizens Association, g.idelson@verizon.net

On Saturday, May 1, at 10:15 a.m., the Cleveland Park Citizens Association will hear an update on current city and neighborhood issues by Councilmembers Phil Mendelson (At Large), Adrian Fenty (Ward 4), and Jim Graham (Ward 1). Schools, lead, baseball stadiums, tax assessments, gridlock, public health, and utility regulation are among the subjects likely to be covered. All welcome.

DC Public Library Events, May 1, 3
Debra Truhart, debra.truhart@dc.gov 

Saturday, May 1, 2:00 p.m., Takoma Park Neighborhood Library, 416 Cedar Street, NW. Introducing Lulu Delacre. This Latina children’s author will read from Rafi and Rosi and other books in both English and Spanish. Copies of the author’s books will be for available for sale after the program. Public contact: 576-7252.

May 1-June 1, during library hours. Tall Tales Scrolls Art Show, Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R Street, NW. Local artist P. Dubroof exhibits her paintings. Opening reception, May 1 at 6:00 p.m. Public contact: 282-0220.

Monday, May 3, 6:30 p.m., DC We Read 2004, Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Library, 901 G Street, NW, Main Lobby. “Interpreting Washington: Expressing Your Cultural Heritage.” Celebrate how writing and the arts bring us together. A performance by Tellin’ Stories. Traditional music of India performed in cultural dress by Pan Orient Express. Cosponsored by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts as part of DC Writers Week. Public contact: 727-1186.

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National Building Museum Events, May 2-3
Brie Hensold, bhenhold@nbm.org 

At the National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW, Judiciary Square stop, Metro Red Line: Sunday, May 2, 1:00 p.m. Gaudí: The Spirit of Barcelona and Antonio Gaudí. Famed for sensuous forms and technical innovations, Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí's best known works include the iconic El Temple de La Sagrada Família. These two films, by filmmakers Luis Buñuel and Hiroshi Teshigahara, respectively, explore Gaudí's life and work. Free. Registration not required.

Monday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. The National World War II Memorial is located on a prominent site on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In this special presentation, American Battle Monuments Commission project executive Barry Owenby, architect Friedrich St. Florian, landscape architect James van Sweden, and Ed Small, president of JA Jones/Tompkins Builders, will discuss the memorial, its design, and its significance in American culture. $12 Museum members and students; $17 nonmembers. Registration required.

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DCPS All-City Honors Chorus, May 17
Evelyn Bourne-Gould, egould@dc.gov

The Master Chorale of Washington and the District of Columbia Public Schools request the pleasure of your company at the DCPS All-City Honors Chorus Concert for Middle/Junior High Schools, on Monday morning, May 17, at 11:00 a.m., at the Concert Hall, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free; no tickets required. Presented by the Master Chorale of Washington, Inc., 1200 29th Street, NW, Suite LL2, 471-4050.

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CLASSIFIEDS — DONATIONS

Ross Elementary Book Donation Fair, May 1-2, 8-9
Phil Carney, philandscoop@yahoo.com

The second annual Ross Elementary Buy-a-Book-for-Kids Fair will be held on May 1-2 and 8-9. Donate a book in your name and the name of a loved one to our neighborhood public school. Ross Elementary School, at 1730 R Street, NW, needs books for its reading enrichment program for students from pre-kindergarten through 6th grade. For this event, Ross teachers have provided lists of specific books that are fun, have literary value, and are ideal for regular instructional periods as well as for the school’s tutoring and mentoring programs. Each class has provided a list of fifty books. While there is no minimum contribution, for a requested donation of $25 you may have a book inscribed in your name only, or dedicated in your name to a loved one. From the teacher’s list of needed books, you can select the book you would like to donate and have dedicated with an inscribed bookplate. Make many kids happy and show your support for our fine public elementary school.

Come to our tables staffed by community volunteers, at the following locations: Saturday, May 1 and 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Safeway, 17th and Corcoran Streets, NW; and Sundays, May 2 and 9, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., at the Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market, 20th and Q Streets, NW. May 9 is Mother’s Day. Donate a book in your mother’s name and we will send her a card telling her of your selection in her honor. Cash or checks will be accepted. Make checks payable to Ross Elementary School Administrative Account. Your donation is 100 percent tax deductible and all proceeds will go for the purchase of books. For more information, please call 462-2054.

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Donating Old Lawbooks and Magazines
David Sobelsohn, dsobelso-at-capaccess-dot-org

I've got a few dozen lawbooks (from the 1980s). Most are in very good, some near-pristine condition. They include several years of assorted law reviews. I also have a couple of collections of major national magazines (e.g., several years of Newsweek). I have already tried the Law Book Exchange, Stone Ridge School, Goodwill, Books for America, Bureau of Prisons, and Value Village. I can't get through to the Salvation Army (just wait on hold forever). Any suggestions?

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CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS

Brick Pointer
Roy Kaufmann, RKaufmann@Jackscamp.com

Looking for a good brick pointer, please.

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