Don’t be duped or deluded.
Presumptive Mayor-elect Vincent C. Gray’s decision not to decide about retaining Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, despite a 90-minute meeting last week, may appear consistent with his much hyped penchant for inclusiveness and thoughtful deliberation — but it’s a stalling tactic. He wants to quiet residents’ concerns and give himself time to scout for an interim education leader.
Gray doesn’t need introductory meetings with Rhee. He knows her. As chairman of the council’s Committee of the Whole, he has had direct oversight of education for nearly four years.
Indeed, he has clearly expressed dissatisfaction with her and her actions. He was against school closings. He fought teacher firings, appearing on stage at a union-organized rally where Rhee was generously lambasted. He almost single-handedly derailed the agreement between District of Columbia Public Schools and the union, challenging a report from the school system’s chief financial officer saying there was money available for the contact’s pay raises. Finally he has been critical of the new IMPACT evaluation instrument, which has been used to provide the first objective assessment of school personnel.
Sure Gray supported mayoral control of schools; that wasn’t a difficult decision. Adrian M. Fenty arrived at city hall with an unprecedented win, a powerful signal of the high level of support he and his agenda had among District voters. During the past two years, however, Gray and his legislative posse have appeared to be on a mission to derail and destroy education reform.
Gray’s pending dismissal of the woman considered to be the standard-bearer of education reform in America isn’t simply fueled by his ambitions, piques, and philosophical preferences. The American Federation of Teachers and others, who have been fighting the chancellor, spent $1 million to help Gray get elected. That money came with one clear expectation: Dump Rhee.
It’s truth-telling time.
Like many, I want Rhee to stay. Initially, I thought she was the wrong person for the job — too young and inexperienced. But she has earned my respect and praise, demonstrating the skill and chutzpah required to shift a failing bureaucracy. The work isn’t complete. But she has accomplished much — even as others have worked ceaselessly to misdirect her efforts.
When Anthony A. Williams became mayor in the late 1990s, he made a promise to Joslyn Williams, head of the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO. (The two men aren’t related). Anthony Williams had fired more than 100 finance employees when he was the city’s chief financial officer. During his campaign he told the union leader he wouldn’t fire any workers as he had done while CFO.
Big mistake.
Anthony Williams handicapped himself. Critical reforms that would have reduced the size and cost of government while improving service delivery didn’t occur. That unglamorous and unpopular work was left for Fenty.
Gray can fall into the same trap that hampered Williams. Or, he can resolve to do whatever it takes to keep the District’s public education reforms moving forward — including disappointing his cash-rich union patrons and keeping Rhee.
Jonetta Rose Barras’ column appears on Monday and Wednesday. She can be reached at [email protected].
