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Budget hearing held too late, violates code, activists say
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According to information provided by the office of Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso, Rhee intends to submit her proposed fiscal year 2009 schools budget to the mayor on Nov. 28.
That schedule, though, would not leave enough time for a public hearing as dictated by D.C. code, the activists told The Examiner Monday.
The code stipulates that a hearing be held 45 to 90 days before the budget submission and that the public be alerted about the hearing 15 days before that.
Marc Borbely, of the group Fixourschools.net, said the point of the letter — which was signed by 99 community members and went to other high-ranking D.C. leaders — was to spur the chancellor to immediately involve the public.
“At the latest, the hearing should have happened in mid-October; we’re a month late if we’re trying to follow that timeline,” he said. “We’re trying to say, ‘Please hold it now.’ Of all the decisions, the budget is the most important. It really encompasses all of the plans for the year.”
Rhee spokeswoman Mafara Hobson said a hearing will take place, but she was not privy to the details.
What’s at stake, said some education advocates, is much more than just a technicality.
Roger Newell, who helped start the DCPS Full Funding Campaign and has crusaded for school reform for 30 years, said Mayor Adrian Fenty’s tenure thus far has systematically lacked community involvement in deciding how to run the schools.
Not holding a public hearing within the standards of the city’s code is another example.
“Fenty didn’t run on taking over the schools. After elected, he sprang it on the residents, and he didn’t put it out as a referendum that they could vote on,” Newell added. “It’s as if he’s telling us, ‘Public be damned, I know what’s best for the schools.’ ”
dlevitz@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
12:21 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007 re: "Budget hearing held too late, violates code, activists say"
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8:59 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007
re: "Budget hearing held too late, violates code, activists say"
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Examiner Reader said:
At least someone is speaking out against the injustice that is occurring in DCPS. Where are the parents of DCPS students? These decisions affect your children and future generations. When are you going to challenge the conversations that take place behind closed doors, off the camera, etc. Are these not your tax dollars? Shouldn't you have a voice? When are you going to stand up for your children? Your grandchildren? When are you going to stop using the hand that's dealt to you?
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Lukas Halim said:
Roger Newell is a union organizer, and as such his job is to protect the interests of school employees, rather than doing what's best for students. Michelle Rhee is the one who's been "crusaded for school reform."
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