Summer school offensive in D.C.Summer school offensive in D.C.

D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray last summer battled Mayor Adrian Fenty over the nomination of his deputy mayor for education. This summer, Gray has delayed approval of renovation projects; he says Chancellor Michelle Rhee hasn’t explained to his satisfaction her plan to turn middle schools into facilities for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.  

Didn’t she submit that proposal in November? Why has he waited so long?

Gray and Fenty promise to resolve the dispute, part of a continuing disagreement over executive versus legislative prerogatives. Which means one is mayor and the other wants to be mayor, although he denies it.

Union officials last summer fought against changing the status of central office employees to “at will.” This summer, the Washington Teachers Union is sparring over a new contract that promises salary increases by as much as 50 percent for its members.

The contract negotiation is a victim of internal union strife. President George Parker’s authority is being challenged by General Vice President Nathan Saunders, whose aspirations are glaringly transparent.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I’d say that in French, but it would make what’s happening sound glamorous. It isn’t. It’s ugly and appalling.

The executive-legislative branch spat threatens a smooth opening of schools next month, particularly those being consolidated. Parents annoyed by this clash of egos may want to march down to the John A. Wilson Building to demand an immediate end.

The union leadership skirmish has meant teachers are being misinformed.  They have been told the proposed salary increase requires loss of seniority. Truthfully, seniority — the union’s delusion — went out the window even before Fenty took control of the system.

Teachers also have been told they will be fired willy-nilly. That’s not true. But, if they fail to meet annual goals, they should be terminated. That seems fair to me.

Despite the madness of some city leaders, education reform appears to be producing results. This week, Fenty, Rhee and Deputy Mayor Victor Reinoso announced significant increases in D.C. Public School students’ performances on the Comprehensive Assessment System. 

Elementary schools showed a combined increase in reading of 8 percentage points and 11 percentage points in math. The scores for high school students went up 9 percentage points in reading and the same amount in math.

“Our students performed incredibly well, and this is only the beginning,” Rhee said. “As we continue to make decisions in the best interest of kids, we will continue to see academic strength and growth.”

So far this summer, the interests of adults have prevailed, however. If District leaders want to turn that around, they can move ahead expeditiously with plans to renovate schools. They also can approve emergency legislation that gives Rhee the tools she needs to further improve the teacher corps — with or without a signed union contract.