Panel Hears Pros, Cons of Tax Rise for Schools

The hearing was not without some theatrics.

Graham, who expressed concern about the cold temperature inside the auditorium, placed his beige trench coat over a nearby vent that was blowing cold air.

"It's cold in here because the heat doesn't work properly," he said.

And he complained about the bathroom he had just used.

"You'll see the ceiling is falling down," he said. "This is the best bathroom at Roosevelt High School."

A short time before, six students quietly walked across the auditorium's stage during the hearing, carrying a banner that read, "Millions for stadiums . . . peanuts for schools."

Graham expressed concern that some of the money allocated for school repairs is not being used.

A teacher from Roosevelt testified that his classroom is so cold in the winter and so steamy on hot days that it is difficult for children to learn.

"The kids were cold today," said Mike Hill, adding that children are being sent the message that the city does not care about their education.

Iris Toyer, co-chair of Parents United for the D.C. Public Schools, an advocacy group, voiced similar sentiments. "The conditions of our school buildings, with few exceptions, are deplorable," she said.

"We've got to find the money," Graham said after the meeting. "The schools are in pathetic condition. Until we fix the schools, we're not going to have people who want to [come] live in the District of Columbia."