Vince Gray has repeatedly answered questions about his intentions regarding Michelle Rhee with a measured response; if elected, he would meet with her and discuss things. Well, he just met with her. And there are still questions. Via WTOP:
Gray says the two city leaders did not discuss Rhee’s tenure, and instead focused on education reform, Gray’s education platform and higher education.
I think it’s telling that Michelle Rhee didn’t stick around while he talked to the press.
The always-edifying Bill Turque has more on last week’s abrupt resignation of D.C.’s State Superintendent of Education, Kerri L. Briggs (for which she gave approximately 24- hours notice):
Even in a post-primary environment where scores of Fenty appointees are likely to be moving on, board members expected at least some advance notice…
“I had no idea this was coming,” said board chairman Ted Trabue (At Large). “At this level of professionalism, it is uncommon for someone to leave without significant notice.”
Briggs said in an e-mail Tuesday that she informed Fenty of her plans in mid-August and offered to stay on until Oct. 1 to ensure a smooth transition. But Fenty, perhaps reluctant to disclose a major resignation before the Sept. 14 primary, kept Briggs’s departure under wraps.
Jason Pier in DC
Will they suffer if Rhee goes away?
So they poured money into the campaign of Fenty’s opponent, D.C. City Council Chairman Vincent Gray. The spin on the election was that Fenty lost touch with the city’s black voters, but behind the scenes it was another victory for special interests that care more about their job security than they do about America’s economic future. The side that seems dedicated to ensuring that the U.S. continues to fall behind other countries in academic performance — and thus in terms of competitiveness, growth and by extension, national security, scored a big victory … if anything so cynical and counter-productive could actually be called a victory…
Bread for The World
After-school program, Washington, D.C.
Any piece with the line “I’ve seen Latin American juntas surrender power more gracefully” deserves a look, especially when the target of such a damning pronouncement is Michelle Rhee. Eugene Robinson is offended:
It may be the case that Rhee, who can point to some admirable accomplishments during her tenure, is the only visionary-cum-taskmaster who can whip the chronically troubled D.C. schools into shape — though it’s always foolish to forget Charles de Gaulle’s famous observation that “the graveyards are full of indispensible men.” But what’s so offensive is the idea that Gray — a native Washingtonian who graduated from Dunbar High School and has dedicated his career to public service — would inevitably allow the children of his beloved city to be devastated. Whether through incompetence, callousness or some other failing, Rhee does not specify.
The National Academy of Sciences
Vincent C. Gray’s mayoral campaign is responding to comments from Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee that his victory in Tuesday’s election is “devastating for the school children of Washington D.C.”
Traci Hughes, a Gray spokesman, called Rhee’s statement “unfortunate.”
The comments were made last night at the Newseum, where Rhee was on a panel for the premier of “Waiting for Superman“, a documentary in which she is featured. Chancellor Rhee is supposed to meet with Gray next week: “Awkward”, party of two.
The National Academy of Sciences
Michelle Rhee
DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee is such a polarizing figure that yesterday, some voters seemed to be voting either for or against her, rather than for Vince Gray or Adrian Fenty. After Fenty’s loss, Rhee has been on a lot of D.C. minds. Will she stay under Gray? Or will she move on?
I thought it would be interesting to take a look at what people were saying about her, on Twitter. Continue reading
What's for Lunch, on the first.
D.C. public school menus are available for download here.
At first, I thought this was nifty; then I realized that there are a lot of people who may not be able to access such useful information. I am not sure that my Mother would know how to wrangle PDF files; I am sure that there are other Parents or caretakers who lack robust internet access at home and machines with which to use it.
I don’t know that Smartphones would be well-suited for this purpose, either: Continue reading
David Clow – Maryland
Michelle Rhee
Michelle Rhee is marrying the Mayor of Sacramento, California; it’s not surprising that DC residents are wondering whether that milestone could mean a cross-country move for the DC schools Chancellor. Considering how important our city’s schools (and Rhee) have been to the Mayoral race, it’s an issue worth addressing. Mayor Fenty did just that, when he met with the staff of the Washington City Paper today:
CP: There’s been some talk, mostly from people who are supporting your opponent, even if you win, Michelle Rhee will probably move. She’s getting married, etc. Do you and her have an understanding that’s she’s going to stay for your second term?
WaPo reports that both DC and Maryland have won sought-after education grants:
Maryland’s award is worth up to $250 million and the District’s up to $75 million.
The timing of these wins is significant for two candidates:
The awards come as D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, both Democrats, are seeking reelection.
The grant money comes from the economic stimulus and was awarded to eight other states that made it to a second-round of funding.
M.V. Jantzen / Flickr
Construction on the Woodrow Wilson Senior High campus.
Today was the first day of school in Washington, DC. That’s always a big event, but it looms even larger in a city where the Mayoral race seems to be hinging on DC’s schools (and their polarizing Chancellor, Michelle Rhee). The Washington Post reported the first day back was uneventful, albeit slow for transplanted students of Woodrow Wilson High School, who will be attending classes at UDC while their Tenleytown campus undergoes work. Continue reading
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