D.C. public education experts Tuesday responded with a mix of optimism and skepticism over Mayor Adrian Fenty’s choice of 37-year-old Michelle Rhee to lead the city’s public schools.

Some said they are concerned that her experience leading a nonprofit with 120 employees will not easily translate to an agency with thousands of employees known for its cronyism, and as a Korean-American woman, she may face additional challenges leading a school system of which the majority is black.

Iris Toyer, chair of Parents United for D.C. Public Schools, said Rhee will have to work hard to connect with DCPS parents, especially those in some of the most disenfranchised enclaves east of the Anacostia River. Nearly 50 percent of the city’s public school students live east of the river in Wards 7 and 8. DCPS is about 85 percent black.

“I think folks will be open, but I think [Rhee’s race] will be a challenge,” Toyer said.

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Toyer said Fenty’s choice of Rhee continues a trend he started with the appointments of Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso, who had little school experience other than serving on the school board.

“I’m not sure whether it’s optimism or his young, energetic, ‘we want to do something different,’ out-of-the-box attitude,” Toyer said. “Perhaps you shouldn’t jump so far out of the box that you can’t actually see the box.”

Michael Casserly, executive director of the Council of Great City Schools, said he was happy with Fenty’s choice but “skeptical about the constant churning of leadership” of the city’s schools. Rhee will serve as the city’s seventh top educator in a decade.

“The leadership of the city can’t keep turning over its educational leadership and hope its schools get better,” Casserly said.

Fenty’s firing Tuesday of Superintendent Clifford Janey was not unexpected, but the mayor kept some of school leaders out of the loop. Board of Education President Robert Bobb said he did not know until Tuesday morning, shortly before the mayor’s news conference on the appointment.

Janey, who could not be reached Tuesday, did not appear at the school’s central offices. DCPS spokeswoman Audrey Williams said employees were clearing out his office Tuesday afternoon.

cmabeus@dcexaminer.com