Some Activists Boycott Official School Closing Meetings
posted 7:00 pm Thu January 17, 2008 - WASHINGTON
The Coalition to Save Our Neighborhood Schools encouraged parents to attend an alternate "people's meeting, hosted by D.C. Council members Harry "Tommy" Thomas Jr. and Marion Barry. The alternate meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Wilson building. CLICK HERE for information on the official school meetings.
Meantime, D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee tells the Washington Post she is planning "significant changes" in her school closure proposal. In a meeting with Post reporters and editors, Rhee said she reviewed feedback from parents and teachers at more than 25 public and private gatherings, including a 14-hour council hearing Monday.
She says she has heard suggestions to transfer successful teachers and programs from the closed schools to newly consolidated schools. But she won't say whether any of the 23 schools slated for closure will come off the list. "They haven't told us where they're going. Not many options to us. I mean, what is there for us to do?" asked parent LaShawn Nixon.
Parents, teachers and some D.C. Council members say Rhee and Mayor Adrian Fenty left them out of the decision-making process.
D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray says "People want to interact with the decision makers. That's the nature of the District of Columbia and that's the nature of a process like this."
Some parents say the meetings are designed to divide and conquer opposition, with or without community involvement, an allegation Rhee denies.
"There is no final plan, there never has been a final plan," Rhee stated.
Latest Comment on Some Activists Boycott Official School Closing Meetings
Garnett
2:04 pm on 01/17/08
I'm all for change, but the process has got to be as transparent as possible. And the way its gone to this point has created too many suspicions which will only compound the problem. Fenty has been quick to show up to major crime scenes, but has been invisible when it comes to the schools. Its a matter of public trust, not just economics.
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