Bowser's Latest on School Boundaries

[Anonymous]

Listen, Bowser won, and won handily. I'm sorry if the majority of folks who frequent this board and in particular this thread, are disappointed with the results. However, Bowser won by a very healthy margin. This is the way democracy works. If Catania's ideas had been as enticing as you would believe then the results would have worked out differently. Many of the comments in here make me feel that there is a certain "elite" within the city who wishes that perhaps we weren't quite as democratic (lower case "d", that is) and that they know best. However, that is not the case so suppose the best that the anti-Bowser crowd will be able to do is to take vituperative pot-shots at the mayor-elect.

[Anonymous]

Another thing I'd mention is that for the critics of Henderson: Had your sentiments been actually largely representative of the DC electorate you would have been able to "throw" her out in 2010. Then you received another chance in 2014. Now you can wait until 2018. Perhaps by then you can come up with a credible alternative to the education reforms and management style that Henderson has overseen during these past four years. (Or since 2007 if you are taking the long view.) Again, make your ideas more popular to the "vox populi" and you'll be able to get what you want.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Listen, Bowser won, and won handily. I'm sorry if the majority of folks who frequent this board and in particular this thread, are disappointed with the results. However, Bowser won by a very healthy margin. This is the way democracy works. If Catania's ideas had been as enticing as you would believe then the results would have worked out differently. Many of the comments in here make me feel that there is a certain "elite" within the city who wishes that perhaps we weren't quite as democratic (lower case "d", that is) and that they know best. However, that is not the case so suppose the best that the anti-Bowser crowd will be able to do is to take vituperative pot-shots at the mayor-elect.

I don't think anybody here is arguing that Bowser didn't legitimately win the election. Many posters are concerned that she didn't demonstrate a strong understanding of education issues during the campaign and has only muddied the waters further since the election. Since this is a forum focused on schools, it is natural that this situation would concern posters. If you want to defend Mayor-Elect Bowser, I'm not sure that telling us to shut up and accept what we will be given is the best strategy. Perhaps explain why we shouldn't be concerned about her plans for schools and education. If you are interested in schools and education, I'm surprised that you aren't a bit more concerned about what she will do regarding those issues. Poor policy decisions are just as likely to affect you as us.

I do agree with you that this campaign suffered from an undercurrent of opinion suggesting that certain demographic groups couldn't be trusted to do the right thing, or rather could be counted on to do the wrong thing. I rejected that attitude and was uncomfortable finding myself aligned with holders of such opinions.

[jsteele]

Related to this topic, if there is anything that Bowser has been clear about, it is that her priority for her first year will be four new middle schools. Kaya Henderson just said that her priority will be high schools. If' not sure those two are going to get along.

[Anonymous]

Henderson has essentially told parents that if we want those new middle schools then we are the ones who have to find the will on the Council to find the money.

When she doesn't undertake the planning for and formation of these new schools as part of her job just shows how little respect she has for her boss (the Mayor) and her peer who crafted these recommendations (the DME).

[Anonymous]

Jeff, middle schools has been and will continue to be a priority for DCPS. If you look back at the documents, press releases, etc for this CURRENt school year's spending priorities for DCPS they are: middle schools, extended day, and focusing more on the "lowest 40" schools. This coming year they will remain priorities. However, the big three for SY15-16 to get their "day in the sun" is high school, young men of color, and equity of educational experiences--such as helping to ensure equitable levels of rigor throughout DCPS and not just if you're in a high SES area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Henderson has essentially told parents that if we want those new middle schools then we are the ones who have to find the will on the Council to find the money.

When she doesn't undertake the planning for and formation of these new schools as part of her job just shows how little respect she has for her boss (the Mayor) and her peer who crafted these recommendations (the DME).

I disagree. Budgeting, planning, and building schools takes time -years - and there's little sense planning if there's no budget. I am glad dcps and Kaya are focusing on high schools in the interim. Otherwise, it's an unfounded mandate, and that's nothing but a black hole of suck. Demonstrate DC will actually build these new schools, and DCPS will be ready to plan and staff and support them. But for now, it's all a pipe dream.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:Related to this topic, if there is anything that Bowser has been clear about, it is that her priority for her first year will be four new middle schools. Kaya Henderson just said that her priority will be high schools. If' not sure those two are going to get along.

Maybe she'll "tweak" that to be high schools instead of middle school. It's just a minor difference.
/s

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:Related to this topic, if there is anything that Bowser has been clear about, it is that her priority for her first year will be four new middle schools. Kaya Henderson just said that her priority will be high schools. If' not sure those two are going to get along.

Link?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Related to this topic, if there is anything that Bowser has been clear about, it is that her priority for her first year will be four new middle schools. Kaya Henderson just said that her priority will be high schools. If' not sure those two are going to get along.

Link?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/kaya-henderson-says-next-years-dc-school-budget-will-focus-on-high-schools/2014/11/17/959aa6d0-6e86-11e4-8808-afaa1e3a33ef_story.html

Kaya Henderson says next year’s D.C. schools budget will focus on high schools

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Related to this topic, if there is anything that Bowser has been clear about, it is that her priority for her first year will be four new middle schools. Kaya Henderson just said that her priority will be high schools. If' not sure those two are going to get along.

Link?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/kaya-henderson-says-next-years-dc-school-budget-will-focus-on-high-schools/2014/11/17/959aa6d0-6e86-11e4-8808-afaa1e3a33ef_story.html

Kaya Henderson says next year’s D.C. schools budget will focus on high schools

I read that - it was about increasing staffing and services in high schools. It had nothing to do with capital budget questions, as far as I could tell.

[Anonymous]

But again, what about shoring up the middle schools? How does Bowser's "Deal for all" play into Henderson's plan?

[Anonymous]

Then why did the DME spend so much time on elementary and middle school boundaries.

[JoshH]

I'm not a huge fan of Bowser, but I think you critics are stretching the argument a bit too far. Increase capital $ for middle schools (Bowser) and operating funds for high schools (Henderson). Rearranging the boundaries was a "rights" issue, not a $$ issue...

[Anonymous]

The Bowser- bashing on this predominately white board feels a bit racist. I'm not a Bowser supporter but calling her incompetent and calling her supporters Marion Barry lovers is pretty gross. She isn't even mayor yet. Be patient and let her actually do her job.