Mary Cheh issues statement about school boundary/feeder right proposals

[Anonymous]

Statement of Councilmember Mary M. Cheh on Proposed Changes to School Assignment Policies

“I appreciate the effort that the Deputy Mayor of Education has invested in reviewing school assignment policies. However, I want to make clear that I will vigorously oppose any plan that does not maintain the right of families to send their children to their neighborhood public schools.

It used to be that families, frequently after elementary school, would flee the District for Maryland and Virginia in order for their children to attend better public schools. In recent years, as our schools have improved and as families’ confidence in DCPS has been restored, we have seen a reversal of this trend. Many families who have moved into the District recently have purchased their homes precisely because of the public schools in their neighborhoods. Forcing children out of neighborhood schools will shatter this confidence – especially if families are forced to participate in a lottery that will send children far away from their homes.

I am also disappointed that the recommendations do not discuss any grandfathering provisions. No matter what changes may be made, it is essential that the students and their families currently in the public school system be held harmless and not be forced to change schools. I look forward to working with the Deputy Mayor, with the PTAs of Ward 3 schools, and with families and residents to craft a plan that both addresses overcrowding and ensures neighborhood schools.”

[Anonymous]

Is she running for Mayor? I vote for her.

[Anonymous]

I live in Ward 4 and I expect Bowser to make a statement too. I don't care that she's running for mayor...she's still my rep. And Catania needs to make his position clear too. You can't chair the Ed Committee and NOT ring in on these proposals.

[Anonymous]

Bowser will say she is for good schools, Alice Deal for all, quality, diversity, preference, fairness, walkability, portability...and keeping Shepherd ES a lock for Deal and Wilson.

[Anonymous]

Except that Bowser also represents Crestwood, the neighborhood taken out of Deal and Wilson's boundaries, so she needs to have a position. I emailed Bowser and am awaiting a response. She better have one--a clear one.

[Anonymous]

I like Mary Cheh!

[Anonymous]

I've seen Bowser speaking up and making commitments to Lafayette and Shepherd, not Brightwood, West, Truesdell or Raymond. Just speaking out loud - who really needs an advocate?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Except that Bowser also represents Crestwood, the neighborhood taken out of Deal and Wilson's boundaries, so she needs to have a position. I emailed Bowser and am awaiting a response. She better have one--a clear one.

Bowser has spent the last year trying to be popular in #All8Wards. Meanwhile #Ward4 was getting screwed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Ward 4 and I expect Bowser to make a statement too. I don't care that she's running for mayor...she's still my rep. And Catania needs to make his position clear too. You can't chair the Ed Committee and NOT ring in on these proposals.

Bowser's statement will be as vague as possible, she's searching for support east of the river. Fortunately she's got race and the Dem machine on her side. Catania's position is going to be the most interesting and complex. He's smarter than Bowser and Gray combined (though so is my cat). He's certainly the most informed about Education and attuned to the differences between charters and DCPS. He's probably unelectable, being white, gay, and non-Dem, but I'll vote for him anyway. Cheh is like an exotic plant, she couldn't survive outside of Ward 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Ward 4 and I expect Bowser to make a statement too. I don't care that she's running for mayor...she's still my rep. And Catania needs to make his position clear too. You can't chair the Ed Committee and NOT ring in on these proposals.

Bowser's statement will be as vague as possible, she's searching for support east of the river. Fortunately she's got race and the Dem machine on her side. Catania's position is going to be the most interesting and complex. He's smarter than Bowser and Gray combined (though so is my cat). He's certainly the most informed about Education and attuned to the differences between charters and DCPS. He's probably unelectable, being white, gay, and non-Dem, but I'll vote for him anyway. Cheh is like an exotic plant, she couldn't survive outside of Ward 3.

Agreed with all of that, except for Gray. He is very smart and very knowledgeable about a lot of policy issues. I think his failing was not being able to bring in good partners/staff. But if you have ever heard him talk at length about a subject, going back to when he was Council Chair, you could tell he knew what he was talking about. Of course that is not the case for Bowser at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Ward 4 and I expect Bowser to make a statement too. I don't care that she's running for mayor...she's still my rep. And Catania needs to make his position clear too. You can't chair the Ed Committee and NOT ring in on these proposals.

Bowser's statement will be as vague as possible, she's searching for support east of the river. Fortunately she's got race and the Dem machine on her side. Catania's position is going to be the most interesting and complex. He's smarter than Bowser and Gray combined (though so is my cat). He's certainly the most informed about Education and attuned to the differences between charters and DCPS. He's probably unelectable, being white, gay, and non-Dem, but I'll vote for him anyway. Cheh is like an exotic plant, she couldn't survive outside of Ward 3.

Wow, that's a not so subtle dog whistle there. Agree with 11:54, Gray may have bungled his rep and political future if it is ever proven that he engaged in the shadow campaign. That said, Gray, Mendelson, Catania, Cheh, Evans - all four are quality, engaged, knowledgeable pols.

[Anonymous]

I will vote with whomever comes out the way I want them to come out on the education issue. I don't care the race or who the person sleeps with. I am so done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will vote with whomever comes out the way I want them to come out on the education issue. I don't care the race or who the person sleeps with. I am so done.

+100.

[Anonymous]

I'm thrilled she issued this. It should force Bowser/Gray to make a statement.

[Anonymous]

Oops meant Bowser/Catania