Dena Levitz, The Examiner
2007-10-30 07:00:00.0
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WASHINGTON -

A number of prominent D.C. schools activists and dozens of community members sent a letter Monday to Michelle Rhee accusing the chancellor of dodging public involvement in the schools budget cycle that is required under city law.

According to information provided by the office of Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso, Rhee intends to submit her proposed fiscal year 2009 schools budget to the mayor on Nov. 28.

That schedule, though, would not leave enough time for a public hearing as dictated by D.C. code, the activists told The Examiner Monday.

The code stipulates that a hearing be held 45 to 90 days before the budget submission and that the public be alerted about the hearing 15 days before that.

Marc Borbely, of the group Fixourschools.net, said the point of the letter — which was signed by 99 community members and went to other high-ranking D.C. leaders — was to spur the chancellor to immediately involve the public.

“At the latest, the hearing should have happened in mid-October; we’re a month late if we’re trying to follow that timeline,” he said. “We’re trying to say, ‘Please hold it now.’ Of all the decisions, the budget is the most important. It really encompasses all of the plans for the year.”

Rhee spokeswoman Mafara Hobson said a hearing will take place, but she was not privy to the details.

What’s at stake, said some education advocates, is much more than just a technicality.

Roger Newell, who helped start the DCPS Full Funding Campaign and has crusaded for school reform for 30 years, said Mayor Adrian Fenty’s tenure thus far has systematically lacked community involvement in deciding how to run the schools.

Not holding a public hearing within the standards of the city’s code is another example.

“Fenty didn’t run on taking over the schools. After elected, he sprang it on the residents, and he didn’t put it out as a referendum that they could vote on,” Newell added. “It’s as if he’s telling us, ‘Public be damned, I know what’s best for the schools.’ ”

dlevitz@dcexaminer.com