by Mike DeBonis
Dec. 23, 2008
PREP YOUR FAVORITE CONSPIRACY THEORY—District prepares to dispose of surplus school properties, implement The Plan, whatever you want to call it: “The administration of D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said yesterday that it is seeking to redevelop 11 now-shuttered public schools, inviting developers to submit proposals that can include retail space, offices and high-priced and affordable housing,” Paul Schwartzman and Bill Turque write in WaPo. “But the initiative has drawn criticism from some schools advocates, who say it squanders valuable public buildings that could be used for charter schools or other educational purposes. ‘I question whether this is good academic policy and whether it is sound economic policy,’ said D.C. State Board of Education member Mary Lord.”
THE CHARTER FACTOR—By law, charter schools are supposed to get dibs. Says Robert Cane of FOCUS, “This administration, just like the administration before them, has not embraced charter schools and does not feel an obligation that D.C. kids have a good place to go to school…It’s not part of their agenda.” Six charters, of 18 who made offers, have been invited to move forward with bids. LL SEZ—Great financing available from United Bank! Ask for Tom!