D.C. Official To Quit Job in Bid to Lead School Board

Bobb earns $195,000 as city administrator and said he will soon begin looking for a new full-time job. He has bought a home in Ward 4, where he lives with his wife. He has three adult sons, including one who attends Howard University.

The five major candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor, including council member Adrian M. Fenty (Ward 4) and Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp, have indicated that they approve of the job Bobb is doing and would consider keeping him as part of a new administration. But Bobb said he wants a career change that could have a lasting impact on the lives of children.

He said that reforming the school system is "the most challenging issue facing the District" and that he would like to turn the board presidency into a powerful position. "I'm not there to be a pawn of politicians," he said.

Last year, Bobb was recruited to attend the Broad Superintendents Academy, a 10-month executive management program in Los Angeles designed to prepare senior business executives to become school superintendents.

Bobb is a veteran city manager who has held positions in Richmond, Kalamazoo, Mich., and Oakland, Calif. Once in Washington, he began trying to resolve complex issues, such as crime. He is the architect of the city's "hot spots" initiative, in which law enforcement efforts are concentrated in crime-ridden areas.

D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), who talked to Bobb before he made the decision, said Bobb has a management style that would lend credibility to the school board and reform the school system.

"He knows the role and relationship between the mayor and superintendent and will not micromanage the school board," Barry said. "He brings that kind of leadership and credibility. He knows what the major issues are. He's passionate about these kids."

Staff writer Debbi Wilgoren contributed to this report.