Councilmember David A. Catania - Council Endorses Status Quo For Failing Schools; Bans Singles Sales In Ward 4

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January 6, 2009
03:37 pm
34° F
Light Rain

Council Endorses Status Quo For Failing Schools; Bans Singles Sales In Ward 4

Washington, D.C. - Despite attempts to demand greater accountability in D.C. Public Schools ("DCPS") through structural change, the D.C. Council approved a measure May 18, 2004, that temporarily prolongs the authority of the current school board. The hybrid panel made up of elected and appointed members will continue to oversee the school system and have authority to hire and fire superintendents until 2007.

"DCPS is utterly disconnected from reality," Councilmember David Catania (At-Large) commented. "The consequences of the lack of responsibility within the schools are too dire to ignore. Yet that is exactly what my colleagues endorsed today."

Catania described his efforts to re-establish a first-rate vocational education system that, despite praise from community leaders and cooperation from other government agencies, failed to be considered with any seriousness by DCPS.

DCPS has been governed by a hybrid board of 9 members since 2000. Dr. Robert C. Rice took over from Dr. Alfreda Massie as interim superintendent in mid-April 2004. Dr. Massie had been in that position since November 2003, when Dr. Paul Vance unexpectedly resigned after three and a half years of service.

The Council's action today preserves the status quo until 2007, when it is presumed the body will become an all elected board.

In other votes, Councilmembers Catania and Adrian Fenty (Ward 4) were joined by a majority of their colleagues in support of a 4-year moratorium on the sale of single serving alcoholic beverages in a targeted area of Ward 4.

The ban will take effect along certain commercial corridors that border residential neighborhoods. Residents fed up with public drunkenness, loitering and other unmentionable consequences of such sales, have advocated the ban for many years.

Catania continued, "This action will have and a true and positive impact on the quality of life of our residents in Ward 4. It's about time the Council has stepped up to the plate to address their concerns."

For more information on this matter, please contact the Office of Councilmember David Catania by calling 202.724.7772 or visiting www.davidcatania.com.