WASHINGTON (Map, News) - D.C. school facilities czar Allen Lew has promised to break ground on a new Woodson High School by early summer after nearly a decade in which local residents have sought an alternative to the poor conditions at the Eads Street school, officials said.

The construction project is beyond critical, said D.C. Council Member Yvette Alexander, Ward 7, who compared the dilapidated conditions at the existing high school to those seen at the D.C. Jail.

“It’s very important because this is the only public high school in Ward 7,” she told The Examiner in explaining that Lew had committed to a spring groundbreaking. “I’m going to hold them to it.”

Lew spokesman Tony Robinson would not comment on plans for the school and said Lew would formally make an announcement during a news conference today.

According to Lew’s Modernization Projects Status Report released Oct. 1, the school overhaul was originally scheduled to cost just over $34 million and be completed in 2005. Now, budget figures are closer to $78 million, with the new school not likely to open to students until 2010.

Alexander said that from now until the groundbreaking, the city will seek input from the community on the design of the facility.

A big question remains as to how much will be invested in facilities upgrades at the existing school considering it will be torn down a short time later.

Alexander said she’s confident Lew will settle on the correct balance.

William Wilson, of the Ward 7 Education Council, said his group is sorely concerned about the state of Woodson High, a school he described as being in disrepair for years.

That’s why many citizens fired off a series of questions to school officials last week about the status of the school, he told The Examiner.

“This is something that should have been done yesterday,” Wilson said of the construction plans.

dlevitz@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

2:27 PM MST on Wed., May. 14, 2008 re: "Schools czar promises Woodson High groundbreaking"

Examiner Reader said:
As a alumni of class of 83 it really hurts to see a academic institution to go to such dispare. We were proud of the academics ad the world class instruction that we received. Being a director of post secondary education. Woodson Sr. High prepared me with skills that will last for a lifetime. I was very active in the following organzations such as: The Female Chorus, Swim Team, Cheerleading, and Homeroom President to name a few. Faculty at HD stress the importance of accountabilty among the students, staff, faculty and the community. What happen? Well, I plan to the final farwell of The Tower of Power. It will be always in my heart an memories. My husband and I are products of the Dc Public Schools System and we are proud of it. From Inez, Kentucky.....

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1:39 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 21, 2008 re: "Schools czar promises Woodson High groundbreaking"

Examiner Reader said:
Out of all the articles i read about woodson why is woodson the youngest high school with the most problems

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8:53 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 31, 2007 re: "Schools czar promises Woodson High groundbreaking"

Examiner Reader said:
The DC Fire Department did show up and put 1000 gallons of water on the field on October 17. That field needs much more work that some water though, and unfortunately 1000 gallons of water did not help at all. Matt Engine Company 27

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7:03 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 16, 2007 re: "Schools czar promises Woodson High groundbreaking"

Tower of Power said:
It was planned in 1965 to build a new high school in the Deanwood area with the grand-opening in 1968...then political delay games began...and the school did not open until 1972...and with political games still being played the school lapsed into chaotic failures of maintenance and repairs. Then decades later...someone said tear-it-down and rebuild-it...and here it is a decade later and the CZAR is making promises to start building it in the summer 2008... Well I will not believe it until I see bulldozers and constructions trailers at 5500 Eads Street, NE. It's a shame it is taking over 40 years to get it right!! Big Will of SE...there are only two high schools in this city that have formidable nicknames that is the Tower of Power (HD) and the Pride of Capitol Hill (Eastern)...and ironically both schools have fallen into desrepair...don't ask yourself how...but let's ask the system why????? One might say...better late than never

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5:30 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 16, 2007 re: "Schools czar promises Woodson High groundbreaking"

BIG WILL - SE said:
I'm glad that FINALLY something will be done about HD WOODSON. Its really sad how the DC School system seems to forget about this school. While their at it, how about building a new football field too. I went to their first home football game last week and the kids played on a dust bowl. The fire departement was supposed to come water the field, but never showed up. I've also been blessed to travel with the team to out of state games, and our kids see how other communities provide for their kids. Cant we do the same.

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