D.C. Wire

WTU Loses Court Challenge To Layoffs

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:10:38 -0500

A D.C. Superior Court judge has ruled against a bid by the Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) to roll back the Oct. 2 layoffs of 266 DCPS teachers and staff. In an opinion issued late Tuesday morning, Judge Judith Bartnoff said WTU had failed to prove any of its core arguments against Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee's decision to conduct a RIF (reduction in force) due to a $43.9 million budget shortfall. She said that given the District's financial situation, a reversal of the layoffs would force Rhee and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty to make other cuts in the DCPS, harming the public interest. "The District asserts, and the plaintiff has not disputed, that in that event, other staff would be subject to a RIF--even further into the school year--or programs that have been deemed essential would have to be cut," Bartnoff wrote. "Such an action would not benefit DCPS, its teachers,

Twelve Schools Cited For Suspect Test Results

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:36:14 -0500

District officials have asked 12 public and public charter schools with irregularities in their 2009 DC-CAS standardized test results to conduct internal investigations. That little news nugget was tucked into the seventh paragraph of a joint statement by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and State Superintendent of Education Kerri Briggs--released shortly after 6 p.m. Monday--announcing "improved and strengthened test integrity measures" that will be in place for the 2010 exams in March. Fenty and Briggs said the names of the schools would not be released during the ongoing investigations. The new test protocols--which include training for exam administrators--come after disclosure in September that Briggs' predecessor, Deborah Gist, had commissioned an investigation into the 2008 DC-CAS results at 26 public and public charter schools where reading and math proficiency increased markedly. That inquiry was based on "anomalies" discovered during an analysis of incorrect student answers that were erased and changed to correct

Poll: Gray would beat Fenty in a tight 2010 race

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:01 -0500

Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) would topple Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) in a potentially tight 2010 election, according to a new poll by the nonpartisan Clarus Research Group, based in the District. In a head-to-head contest, 41 percent of those surveyed in live telephone interviews said they would vote for Gray while 37 percent would vote for Fenty. An additional 22 percent were undecided. Gray has said that he is considering challenging the first-term mayor. The poll of 501 self-identified registered voters was conducted Nov. 15 to 18. Stories about possible ethical lapses by Gray appeared in The Washington Post and The Washington Times on Nov. 18. The Times article probed home repairs and architectural services provided to Gray by mega-developer Chris Smith. The Post article reported Gray's use of official stationery to solicit a contribution from Comcast for the D.C. Democratic Party. Ron Faucheux, president of Clarus,

Crime Scene: Hate crimes, D.C. police and the gay and lesbian community

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:30:07 -0500

(Cross-posted from Crime Scene) It was a day of disagreement between D.C. police and gay activitists over how the department handles hate crimes, and whether the gay community is being served by changes to the Gay and Lesbian Liason Unit. At a hearing Friday chaired by Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier gave more details about changes to the GLLU, a popular special unit in the police department made up of openly gay officers who respond to crimes and incidents in the gay, lesbian, and transgender community. Lanier testified that her plan to supplant the unit with officers from across the city -- she called them "affiliates" -- will begin in earnest Nov. 30 when 57 officers who volunteered for the assignment will receive five days of training. But Chris Farris, Co-Chair of Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) testified that the gay community has not

Under God: Religious leaders team up for social issues fight

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:44:08 -0500

(Cross-posted from Under God) A highly influential group of conservative Christian leaders are releasing a document today that they have been working on for more than a year, an attempt to unify disparate religious conservatives. Even as political conservatives in the United States are fractured and the Republican Party in a period of soul-searching, you can see some religious conservatives attempting to coalesce, such as Pope Benedict's recent outreach to conservative Anglicans. The document, called "The Manhattan Declaration," is embargoed until noon (when we'll have it for you) but it calls for Christians to regroup around opposition to abortion (and other "life" issues) and to recognition of same-sex marriage. The document calls for 'religious liberty' but people connected with the document say that is a reference to courts and civil authorities who are allowing gay marriage and abortion availability to advance and expand. The positions aren't new here; what's new

Bleak Hallways At Ballou

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:51:13 -0500

When schools opened in August, the Fenty Administration proudly showcased the latest results of its $1 billion overhaul of DCPS buildings. Students at School Without Walls High School, Deal Middle School, Wheatley Education Campus and H.D. Cooke and Savoy elementary schools returned to facilities handsomely renovated under the guidance of construction czar Allan Lew. They are part of an accelerated five-year capital plan that is supposed to give every DCPS student the chance to attend a new or improved school building sometime in his or her academic career. At the bottom of this to-do list is 50-year-old Ballou High School, not due for its extreme makeover until 2014, under current plans. While the school has had some attention from Lew's shop during summer breaks it's difficult to imagine what kind of shape it will be in five years from now, given the conditions we saw during a midday visit Wednesday.

Report: Rhee spoke to feds on Johnson's behalf

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:18:22 -0500

D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee had several conversations last year with a federal inspector general investigating Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson for alleged financial misconduct and inappropriate behavior with female students at a charter school he operated, The Los Angeles Times reported Friday. The paper said Rhee, who once served on the board of the St. Hope school, spoke on behalf of Johnson-- whom she is now engaged to-- calling him "a good guy." Rhee's previously undisclosed involvement in the investigation is described in a 62-page congressional report on the White House's firing earlier this year of Gerald Walpin, the inspector general for the Corporation for National and Community Service. The report is scheduled to be released today by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif) and Sen Charles E.Grassley (R-Iowa). Johnson has not been charged with any crimes. Republicans contend that Walpin's firing was politically motivated because Johnson, a former NBA star

Security Firm Found Lacking Back in Schools

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:36:08 -0500

The District dumped Watkins Security from its contract to safeguard D.C. public schools in 2005 after an inspector general's report found that it was overpriced, underqualified, ineffective and employed some guards with criminal records. It awarded a new contract to Hawk One. Turns out Watkins is back, this time as a subcontractor to U.S. Security Associates, one of the two firms hired to replace Hawk One, which went belly up in October. Watkins is supplying security for at least some of the District's "Cluster 3" schools which include most of its elementary buildings. A guard with a Watkins patch was seen Wednesday at Langdon Education Campus, a pre-K through 8 school in Northeast. Watkins president Richard A. Hamilton Sr. declined Thursday to discuss the details, referring all questions to U.S. Security Associates, which did not return phone messages. "I don't want to get into opening old wounds," Hamilton said. "I

Michelle Rhee, Bringing Us Together

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:44:34 -0500

D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee likes to say -- and did so again Tuesday at a CEO gathering sponsored by The Wall Street Journal--that "collaboration and consensus building are quite frankly overrated in my mind." So who better to participate in a national town hall to search for common ground on complex social issues? Rhee is one of the big names confirmed for the USA Network's "Characters Unite National Town Hall," to be hosted by Tom Brokaw on Dec. 2 at the Newseum. She'll join such notables as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, former U.S. Senator Max Cleland, Georgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson, Politico's Mike Allen and singer Jon Bon Jovi. "People across the country are making tough decisions every day and working to maintain their own unique American character. Too often, instead of coming together to address conflicts, groups demonize each other because of their different beliefs and

District Democratic whistleblowers seek federal probe of party spending

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:27:10 -0500

Two whistleblowers in the ongoing investigation into how the D.C. Democratic State Committee raised and spent money for last year's Democratic National Convention are rebuffing requests from party leaders to handle the matter internally. On Thursday -- the same day the Washington Post wrote a story about Councilman Vincent C. Gray's (D) role in the matter -- the president of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club reached out to two Democratic state committee members to try keep the story from growing. The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics is currently investigating why the local Democratic party failed to report more than $100,000 in contributions it raised from corporate and other sources for the convention in Denver. In a preliminary audit, the board's Office of Campaign Finance has discovered that several council members solicited or gave donations that exceeded the $5,000 donation limit for a political committee. Jeffrey D. Richardson, the Gertrude

Featured Advertiser

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:27:10 -0500

Nickles sees nothing wrong with developer's fixes for Gray

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:50:10 -0500

Attorney General Peter J. Nickles said he sees no wrongdoing in the repairs completed at the home of D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) -- a story first reported in the Washington Times on Wednesday. "I don't think I read a serious allegation there. I call it like I see them. I'm not speaking on anyone's behalf," Nickles said Thursday morning, a day after the fallout for Gray. WCS Construction, a company owned by megadeveloper Chris Smith, a friend of Gray's, provided repairs and architectural services to the chairman beginning in July. Gray said he paid more than $10,000 for the work. Smith also owns William C. Smith & Co., one of the region's development leaders. "There's no indication of quid pro quo, except innuendo," Nickles said. "It's just a bunch of isolated facts put together." -- Nikita Stewart

DCPS 2011 Budget Season Begins

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:50:35 -0500

Seems like the dust was just beginning to clear from all the scuffling over DCPS' 2010 budget, which included confrontations between Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee and the D.C. Council over enrollment projections and teacher layoffs. But those who can't wait for another round will be pleased to know that Rhee will hold a public hearing on the FY 2011 budget--for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2010--on Monday. It will be from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Old Board Room at DCPS central offices, 825 North Capitol Street NE. Members of the public are welcome to testify for up to five minutes. If you're interested, contact Sang Yoon at sang.yoon@dc.gov or call 202-480-0860 before 5 pm Thursday. Or you can sign up when you get there. For some reason, DCPS asks that you bring three copies of your testimony. Bill Turque

Same-sex marriage opponents file lawsuit

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:16:10 -0500

Bishop Harry Jackson, represented by attorneys from a conservative legal organization, filed suit today against the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics over its refusal to allow an initiative to ban same-sex marriage. Attorneys for the Alliance Defense Fund said the suit was filed today in D.C. Superior Court. On Tuesday, the elections board ruledthat an initiative to define marriage as being between a man and woman cannot proceed because it would be discriminatory toward gay men and lesbians. Jackson and other same-sex marriage opponents are vowing a lengthy court battle over the issue. -- Tim Craig

Big crowd joins Gray for birthday fundraiser (for mayor's race?)

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:51:43 -0500

Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray celebrated his birthday Tuesday night to raise money for his constituent services fund, but judging from the crowd, it looked like a pre-mayoral campaign kickoff. Former Mayor Sharon Pratt, former Council chairwoman Linda W. Cropp, and even Virginia Williams, mother of former Mayor Anthony A. Williams, joined hundreds of people at the Beacon Hotel to shake hands with Gray, who turned 67 is enjoying buzz as Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's potential challenger in next year's election. Go-go godfather Chuck Brown, who is also the father of Ward 4 activist Cherita Whiting, led the crowd in a chorus of "Happy Birthday." Every current council member was accounted for with the exception of Council member Marion Barry, who was attending his mother's funeral. There were some interesting faces in the crowd: Greg O'Dell, who heads the Washington Convention and Sports Authority and happens to be a fraternity

The hard road of Michelle Rhee's CFOs

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:08:39 -0500

D.C. Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi named a new interim school system CFO Tuesday. Noel Bravo, a former senior budget adviser to Mayor Anthony A. Williams, replaces Noah Wepman, who resigned or was fired, depending on who you ask. Bravo is walking into what has become one of District government's most punishing posts. Wepman's departure marks the second time on Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee's watch that the school system's top fiscal officer has left in the wake of questions about the transparency of the agency's budget process. Wepman and his predecessor, Pamela Graham, took different paths to the exit sign. But both ultimately discovered that trying to keep the numbers straight under Rhee's high-velocity attempt at transformation can be dangerous to your career health. Part of the peril is structural. A congressional directive from the financial control board era gives the District's independent chief financial officer, not the head

Featured Advertiser National Geographic Channel - Expedition Week

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:08:39 -0500

Search for the Amazon Headshrinkers
Sunday 9P e/p

They say that shrinking heads is no longer practiced. We’re going to ask the experts. Premieres Sunday at 9P e/p on Nat Geo. Learn more at
www.natgeotv.com/expeditionweek

Ads by Pheedo