Catania Throws Down Gauntlet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that the DCUM endorsement via support by Jeff, a lot of people saying who they would vote for or a blog post are the kiss of death. Can you name one person that has won?

I voted Fenty and Settles, but I have to say talking with my neighbors in Ward 5 there is a very strong feeling that well off WOTP has pulled up the drawbridge and just does not give a damn about the rest of the city. One can dismiss all the claims but there is some truth the fact that most people have no need to go and therefore never see anything outside of well off west side. Cantania will lose if he is viewed as your advocate. The presumption will be that they will lose. Unless we can figure out how the pie expands, I lose if you win.

I agree. Can't help but think of the Schwartz/Barry race.

I keep hearing, though, that Catania is an advocate for the disadvantaged. I'm looking forward to hearing more of his views and seeing if he can straddle the east/west divide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that the DCUM endorsement via support by Jeff, a lot of people saying who they would vote for or a blog post are the kiss of death. Can you name one person that has won?

I voted Fenty and Settles, but I have to say talking with my neighbors in Ward 5 there is a very strong feeling that well off WOTP has pulled up the drawbridge and just does not give a damn about the rest of the city. One can dismiss all the claims but there is some truth the fact that most people have no need to go and therefore never see anything outside of well off west side. Cantania will lose if he is viewed as your advocate. The presumption will be that they will lose. Unless we can figure out how the pie expands, I lose if you win.

I agree. Can't help but think of the Schwartz/Barry race.

I keep hearing, though, that Catania is an advocate for the disadvantaged. I'm looking forward to hearing more of his views and seeing if he can straddle the east/west divide.

Schwartz/Barry was a long time ago. Much has changed, including demographics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that the DCUM endorsement via support by Jeff, a lot of people saying who they would vote for or a blog post are the kiss of death. Can you name one person that has won?

I voted Fenty and Settles, but I have to say talking with my neighbors in Ward 5 there is a very strong feeling that well off WOTP has pulled up the drawbridge and just does not give a damn about the rest of the city. One can dismiss all the claims but there is some truth the fact that most people have no need to go and therefore never see anything outside of well off west side. Cantania will lose if he is viewed as your advocate. The presumption will be that they will lose. Unless we can figure out how the pie expands, I lose if you win.

I agree. Can't help but think of the Schwartz/Barry race.

I keep hearing, though, that Catania is an advocate for the disadvantaged. I'm looking forward to hearing more of his views and seeing if he can straddle the east/west divide.

But the question is whether the disadvantaged see him that way. Unfortunately, it takes more than just having the right policy prescription. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out!

[Anonymous]

Until Catania offers up some specifics for how to help the many schools in DC serving mostly disadvantaged students, I don't see what all the hype is about. So far, he's told the most vocal constituents what they want to hear, and that doesn't seem all that bold. Now, if he starts talking about where the resources are going to come from to help the most disadvantaged students AND manages to keep all the WOTP/NW people on his side, then I think that will be something to celebrate.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Until Catania offers up some specifics for how to help the many schools in DC serving mostly disadvantaged students, I don't see what all the hype is about. So far, he's told the most vocal constituents what they want to hear, and that doesn't seem all that bold. Now, if he starts talking about where the resources are going to come from to help the most disadvantaged students AND manages to keep all the WOTP/NW people on his side, then I think that will be something to celebrate.

He has already done it. He not only introduced, but secured passage of this bill:

http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20131219112004.pdf

"which created an extra weight for at-risk students in the District’s per pupil funding formula. His actions will result in historic increases in funding for at-risk students in the coming school years. And it will provide frontline educators with newfound flexibility to invest these funds in interventions that meet the needs of their students." (The quoted is from Catania's campaign website. Quoting it was easier than coming up with my own summary.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that the DCUM endorsement via support by Jeff, a lot of people saying who they would vote for or a blog post are the kiss of death. Can you name one person that has won?

I voted Fenty and Settles, but I have to say talking with my neighbors in Ward 5 there is a very strong feeling that well off WOTP has pulled up the drawbridge and just does not give a damn about the rest of the city. One can dismiss all the claims but there is some truth the fact that most people have no need to go and therefore never see anything outside of well off west side. Cantania will lose if he is viewed as your advocate. The presumption will be that they will lose. Unless we can figure out how the pie expands, I lose if you win.

I agree. Can't help but think of the Schwartz/Barry race.

I keep hearing, though, that Catania is an advocate for the disadvantaged. I'm looking forward to hearing more of his views and seeing if he can straddle the east/west divide.

Schwartz/Barry was a long time ago. Much has changed, including demographics.

But much has not changed, primarily the feeling that a candidate who appeals to Ward 3 is going to ignore the other wards or simply maintain status quo. So much of the support for Catania has been in favor of that staus quo, which the rest of the city finds inacceptable.

[Anonymous]

^^unacceptable

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Until Catania offers up some specifics for how to help the many schools in DC serving mostly disadvantaged students, I don't see what all the hype is about. So far, he's told the most vocal constituents what they want to hear, and that doesn't seem all that bold. Now, if he starts talking about where the resources are going to come from to help the most disadvantaged students AND manages to keep all the WOTP/NW people on his side, then I think that will be something to celebrate.

He has already done it. He not only introduced, but secured passage of this bill:

http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20131219112004.pdf

"which created an extra weight for at-risk students in the District’s per pupil funding formula. His actions will result in historic increases in funding for at-risk students in the coming school years. And it will provide frontline educators with newfound flexibility to invest these funds in interventions that meet the needs of their students." (The quoted is from Catania's campaign website. Quoting it was easier than coming up with my own summary.)

I know about and applaud this bill, but it is hardly specifics. Which schools will this affect? When? How? (e.g. If schools will be able to lower class sizes - what size can we expect them to be? I know that may be asking for a very specific detail, but I'm just looking for something more than "schools with disadvantaged kids will get more money.")

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Until Catania offers up some specifics for how to help the many schools in DC serving mostly disadvantaged students, I don't see what all the hype is about. So far, he's told the most vocal constituents what they want to hear, and that doesn't seem all that bold. Now, if he starts talking about where the resources are going to come from to help the most disadvantaged students AND manages to keep all the WOTP/NW people on his side, then I think that will be something to celebrate.

He has already done it. He not only introduced, but secured passage of this bill:

http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20131219112004.pdf

"which created an extra weight for at-risk students in the District’s per pupil funding formula. His actions will result in historic increases in funding for at-risk students in the coming school years. And it will provide frontline educators with newfound flexibility to invest these funds in interventions that meet the needs of their students." (The quoted is from Catania's campaign website. Quoting it was easier than coming up with my own summary.)

I know about and applaud this bill, but it is hardly specifics. Which schools will this affect? When? How? (e.g. If schools will be able to lower class sizes - what size can we expect them to be? I know that may be asking for a very specific detail, but I'm just looking for something more than "schools with disadvantaged kids will get more money.")

You are talking about implementation details. Catania created the program, DCPS has to implement it. The bill specifies that funds will "be provided on the basis of the count of students identified as at-risk." A school gets weighted based on the number of at risk students and that weighting is apple to its funding to make it eligible for the additional money. It's a bit complicated for a non-lawyer like me, but read the bill.

[Anonymous]

Gauntlets *chuckle* what is this midevil times? I guess Bowser is a damsel? I say ye, o cometh and lower the drawbridge.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:David Catania has been very active on Twitter today:

https://twitter.com/davidcataniadc/status/455365279150014464
I do not share CM Bowser's interest in "choice sets." Period. You can't support them AND want "predictability."

https://twitter.com/davidcataniadc/status/455367165399822336
Subjecting families to a lottery for their DCPS elem. school, by definition, removes "predictability."

https://twitter.com/davidcataniadc/status/455367768276496384
I support strengthening matter-of-right neighborhood schools. Adding additional resources for "at-risk" students is a start!

I'm sure the DC government will brand it as "predictable controlled choice.:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the Democratic Party has significant GOTV resources, which since Bowser is the D nominee, will be used to help her out. The Powers That Be didn't care so much about helping folks in 7 & 8 get to the polls for the primary. When the consequence is a non-D mayor, lots of folks will care--a lot.

Remember Anita Bonds' at-large campaign last year? She was a weak candidate, but won basically by reminding folks at every turn that she is a Democrat, and her opponents weren't.

Anita Bonds basically ran on being a female Marion Barry. She had nothing to offer in her campaign.

That's why she's earned the political nickname, "Barry Bonds."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that the DCUM endorsement via support by Jeff, a lot of people saying who they would vote for or a blog post are the kiss of death. Can you name one person that has won?

I voted Fenty and Settles, but I have to say talking with my neighbors in Ward 5 there is a very strong feeling that well off WOTP has pulled up the drawbridge and just does not give a damn about the rest of the city. One can dismiss all the claims but there is some truth the fact that most people have no need to go and therefore never see anything outside of well off west side. Cantania will lose if he is viewed as your advocate. The presumption will be that they will lose. Unless we can figure out how the pie expands, I lose if you win.

I agree. Can't help but think of the Schwartz/Barry race.

I keep hearing, though, that Catania is an advocate for the disadvantaged. I'm looking forward to hearing more of his views and seeing if he can straddle the east/west divide.

Schwartz/Barry was a long time ago. Much has changed, including demographics.

But much has not changed, primarily the feeling that a candidate who appeals to Ward 3 is going to ignore the other wards or simply maintain status quo. So much of the support for Catania has been in favor of that staus quo, which the rest of the city finds inacceptable.

Fenty won Ward 3 - and every other ward - once, I know. But it would be worth studying what worked the first time and how that could apply to Catania, who unlike Fenty in his first campaign, already has a long-term city-wide reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever noticed that the DCUM endorsement via support by Jeff, a lot of people saying who they would vote for or a blog post are the kiss of death. Can you name one person that has won?

I voted Fenty and Settles, but I have to say talking with my neighbors in Ward 5 there is a very strong feeling that well off WOTP has pulled up the drawbridge and just does not give a damn about the rest of the city. One can dismiss all the claims but there is some truth the fact that most people have no need to go and therefore never see anything outside of well off west side. Cantania will lose if he is viewed as your advocate. The presumption will be that they will lose. Unless we can figure out how the pie expands, I lose if you win.

I agree with your conclusion but not your argument. I am well off Ward 4 resident, and I would be much more open to the schools plan if I thought there was actually some benefit to those in need. I am not pulling up a drawbridge - just trying to prevent a disaster. Show me a decent plan for the whole city and I will be behind it.

+1 I'm ward 3 and also not circling any wagons. I want excellent neighborhood schools for ALL and am happy to put both my money and time where my mouth is. Take my tax dollars and put them where they are needed most. And I offer my time to support students and teachers in failing schools. What if we all joined in a grassroots effort to bolster these schools? A city-wide Peace Corps of sorts? Idealistic in the face of massively entrenched problems? Yes. But at least it's a way to demonstrate commitment to the well being of ALL students and could maybe even help some. Anyone else interested? My sleeves are already rolled up!

[Anonymous]

I'm all for pitching in, and also think a big part of that is not filling in where city government has failed, but getting the city to take more responsibility for its charge to serve all students.