D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has staked his reputation on a successful public schools takeover, will continue to send his children to a private school in the District. As classes resumed this week, some community members renewed criticism of Fenty’s school choice, emphasizing the need for members of D.C. government to keep their children in the public school system.

“Yes, he’s putting his political career at risk by taking over the schools,” said Crystal Sylvia. “But that’s different than sending your kids to these schools that need to be fixed. ... He kind of needs to feel what a parent feels in these situations.”

Sylvia, a parent of a prekindergarten student at West Elementary School, where the mayor’s children would go if they attended public school, started a petition over the summer demanding Fenty enroll his 7-year-old twins in public schools.

When she submitted the petition to officials in June, 80 parents, teachers and community members from West had signed on.

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Sylvia said she got a message that Fenty would meet with the concerned citizens when his schedule opened up, followed by a notice that he wouldn’t have time to meet, she said.

Carrie Brooks, Fenty’s spokeswoman, said she had no knowledge of any petition.

The mayor said his children will attend public school starting next school year. They have been attending the private school since they were 2 years old, Brooks said.

When asked about his choice by The Examiner Wednesday, Fenty said he addressed the issue during his campaign, and wouldn’t elaborate.

Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso both send their offspring to Oyster-Adams Bilingual School in Northwest D.C., part of the public school system.

dlevitz@dcexaminer.com