Call for Emergency
Legislation on School Closures
Council Members Barry and Thomas are considering introducing emergency
legislation that would require community and council input before any
school closures occur. PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL THEM URGING THEM
TO
INTRODUCE THIS EMERGENCY LEGISLATION ASAP!
mbarry@dccouncil.us 202
724-8045
hthomas@dccouncil.us,
202 724-8028
For more information: www.SaveOurNeighborhoodSchools.org
Click here to see
the Coalition's Statement and Demands
The
levees are breaking here in Washington D.C. Our city is being
flooded with developers and gentrifiers as long-time residents are
forced out. Charter schools, convention centers, hotels,
condominiums and a baseball stadium threaten our public spaces and
access to a quality life. Our traditional public schools have been
undermined by the political meddling of Congress, chronic
under-funding, low expectations and shocking disregard for our children.
This has set the stage for privatization
of our school system – which means that our schools are being gradually
handed over from our local government to private non-profits and
corporations in the form of charter schools and vouchers. The
privatizers would have us believe that our only choice is between an
overwhelmed, neglected traditional public school system and
unaccountable charters.
In the Spring of 2007 Mayor Adrian Fenty took over DC Public Schools
and almost immediately appointed Michelle Rhee as DC School
Chancellor. There was public outcry over the non-democratic
process during both of these moves, but Fenty ignored community
concerns and went right ahead with his plans.
Now Fenty and Rhee have announced the closing of two dozen DC public
schools, a move they made with no community input and without the
involvement of the DC City Council.
Click
here to read SOS's
response to the school closures.