CHANGE MY LOCATION
Jonetta Rose Barras: Bobb announces his candidacy for D.C. school board president
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Right at the top of the agenda for the majority of residents — even those without children — is the transformation of public education in the District. That’s been an unrealized goal for more than a decade.
In the mid-1990s, the financial control board stripped the school board of its power and installed as Superintendent Julius Becton, a retired army general. Arlene Ackerman came next, followed by Paul Vance and Elfreda Massie. Remember her and that huge bonus she received — for nothing?
Two years ago, without the congressionally appointed panel, the city selected yet another superintendent. This was after it went to a partially appointed school board, rejecting Mayor Anthony Williams’ attempt to gain control. None of this produced desired results. Recent reports about sliding student test scores serve as proof. School officials blame the new test.
Timid leadership is the real culprit, which is why so many people want City Administrator Robert Bobb to run for president of the D.C. Board of Education.
Bobb is expected to pick up his nominating petitions today. Then, this evening at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge at Fourth and E streets NW, he’ll rally the troops. On Sunday, he says he’ll be out on the streets, presenting himself as the right man for the job.
“I am not going to be a guardian of the status quo,” he says during an interview.
Bobb has gained a reputation as a no-nonsense manager. With more than 30 years of experience in urban governments around the country, extensive knowledge and training focusing on trends and best practices in public education, whipping him in this race will take more than a notion.
He has constructed an impressive campaign organization and conducted his own research. Some of it contradicts the chatter in the city, including a recent survey by Teach America, which identified teacher quality and student expectations of themselves as two of the top five challenges.
His opponents suggest that his dynamic personality and management style will mean he is destined to push out Superintendent Clifford Janey. Bobb pooh-poohs all of that.
“I have seen elected officials who have had a thirst to intrude. I have no desire to be superintendent. I intend to push policy and hold people accountable for the implementation of those policies,” he says.
As for the solutions being bandied about by current mayoral candidates, Bobb offers this: “There is only one leadership position with elected accountability for the school system.
“There is a lot of conversation about education. But, in the grand scheme of things, it still takes a back seat. I want to energize this race. I have the will, the desire and the interest.”
More than a few people think he’s the one.
Jonetta Rose Barras is the political analyst for WAMU radio’s “D.C. Politics Hour with Kojo and Jonetta.”
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:26 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 22, 2008 re: "Calling what you do in the classroom teaching"
Report as inappropriate
2:52 PM MST on Thu., Feb. 21, 2008
re: "Calling what you do in the classroom teaching"
Report as inappropriate
5:39 PM MST on Wed., Aug. 29, 2007
re: "Column: Drilling down in D.C. schools"
Report as inappropriate
3:01 PM MST on Mon., Aug. 6, 2007
re: "Column: Drilling down in D.C. schools"
Report as inappropriate
7:42 PM MST on Thu., Aug. 2, 2007
re: "Column: Drilling down in D.C. schools"
Report as inappropriate
5:36 PM MST on Thu., Aug. 2, 2007
re: "Column: Drilling down in D.C. schools"
Report as inappropriate
8:31 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 2, 2007
re: "Column: Drilling down in D.C. schools"
Report as inappropriate
8:14 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 2, 2007
re: "Drilling down in D.C. schools"
Report as inappropriate
6:57 PM MST on Wed., Aug. 1, 2007
re: "Drilling down in D.C. schools"
Report as inappropriate
11:36 AM MST on Fri., May. 25, 2007
re: "Jonetta Rose Barras: Dan Tangherlini: The wizard’s assistant"
Report as inappropriate
Lisa said:
Do a grammar check -- you have a who/whom problem in the first sentence of the 6th paragraph. Are there no editors around?
122 agree | 110 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Ms. Barras, Please stop straddling the fence!!! One minute you are heralding Rhee as the best thing since slice bread and now you speak the truth...A woman WITHOUT a Plan
113 agree | 125 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader SL said:
This article truly addressed the major issue that continues to cripple the school system and drive highly qualified teachers from educating in the district. There is an urgent need for accountability starting all the way from the top. Without significant changes, it we will only be like a bandaid being placed over an infected wound.
215 agree | 217 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Right...tell me another one said:
You know this is not going to be popular, but although Janey had the rights ideas on curriculum, you swear he was a paid consultant and never managed staff. He did not set a mission, did not review employees based on if they lived up to the mission even his own Declaration of Education and for that reason did a disservice to those who are/were talented in central office. Because he failed to set the tone. After awhile the bullies would take hold. The people who were in their cars at 5:01pm, and took Friday's off as they "worked from home" all week. He fired maybe one person--whose work was such an embarassment --she was barely literate and was asked not to return by a parents group. Her position Head of Communications. (I could not make this up). But who were talented, head of accountability, deputy business officer, community liaison all left when they were great talents.
254 agree | 235 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Unfortunately Assistant Superintendent Francisco Millet's story is common in the District of Columbia Public Schools. I can name another Assistant Superintendent who shares his style and attempts to intimidate teachers.
252 agree | 249 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Karen Dickerson said:
The earnest attention being paid to the current state of the DCPS is long overdue and much welcomed. Many residents undoubtedly applaud the sweeping reforms Chancellor Rhee and the Mayor plan to institute and recognize that not everyone in the system is inept, an idiot, or even a crook. Going beyond simply making it “look pretty” will be a drastic cultural change and a tragic blow to those comfortable with the status quo, as well those unaccustomed to be held accountable –not to mention being charged with the task of actually having to think. Being “progressive” is daunting and yes, even “troublesome” for some, but when one takes into account the increase in the number of charter schools in the District (only a few of whom actually meet federal student-performance benchmarks), Fenty’s and Rhee’s initiatives represent a unique opportunity (if not a noble undertaking) to improve student performance rates and provide students in the District—the Nation’s Capital—with a world-class educat
276 agree | 229 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
When will Ms. Rhee announce the leadership team that she has assembled. There are people showing up but no one has been formally introduced, at least, to the employees in the trenches. Ms. Rhee couldn't tell the council what the duties of her transition team would be but she could give you the salary "range" not even the job title so I guess they will just "do what their supervisor tells them to." Millet is a whole different creature but he isn't the only parasite in the school system. Building moral is not a concern of these people even though Leadership 101 dictates a collaborative environment for effective change.
238 agree | 258 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Mike Licht said:
>Re: Drilling down in D.C. schools< Anonymous Examiner Reader: it is not that everyone in the central office of DCPS is an idiot or a crook but that the lack of rational structure wastes the talents of any of those people with experience and credentials you cite, so they cannot possibly serve as assets and help students. If an agency with so many Budget Analysts cannot spend Federal Grant funds legally or purchase textbooks on time, and a system with so many Curriculum Specialists cannot teach children, it is indeed time to clear out the central office and start over. The sooner the better.
749 agree | 228 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Frankly I am sick and tired of the media portraying everyone in central office as an idiot or a crook. There are people at Central with experiences and credentials who are assets to the system and help students. In fact, due to the lack of communication from the Rhee administration to the current central office staff (perhaps based on their mistaken belief that all are incompetent) many excellent people who ARE employable in top jobs in the area are leaving. When will that story be told?!
257 agree | 240 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader Ms. Betty Lewis said:
Why don't we let the court seperate the lies from the truth. Lanier moved to fast on her personal vendetta against the Commander. Bauman from the FOP is an idiot, Lanier assigns police and the cars and the bikes, not the Commander. We know that all the trashing of the Commander's reputation is coming out of Lanier's office, maybe the investigators that are working on the Commanders case will uncover the true reason that Lanier was picked for Chief, knowing that she is not the brightest star in the sky . Why has Lanier surrounded herself with Commanders and Assistant Chief that had domestic charges filed against them ?
570 agree | 343 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree