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D.C. Schools Considering Unusual Deal With Nonprofit
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School officials said they did not pursue competitive bidding because EdBuild is the only contractor that could provide both academic and construction services. They said they view the proposal as a way to help turn around the decline in enrollment at city schools.
"We saw this as an opportunity for us to reclaim student population . . . through a combination of facility improvement and academic enhancements. It's a very unique partnership," Superintendent Clifford B. Janey said. "We wouldn't have come this far if we thought it was a bust."
Cunningham, EdBuild's chief operating officer, said that although the company is young, staff members have extensive experience in improving academics and managing construction projects. Cunningham managed the design and construction of the SEED boarding school.
"Each of us brings a track record in our careers," she said. "Individuals here have a terrific track record in academics and facilities."
As part of its plans, EdBuild envisions creating space that could be leased to outside groups -- an arts program at MacFarland and a charter school at Rudolph.
Cunningham said EdBuild and system officials have not calculated the price that would be charged to manage the construction projects. She said the academic services would cost about $60,000 a school. She added that participating schools could make money by leasing space to charter schools and other outside organizations.
Currently, EdBuild is training teachers without charge at four schools, including Backus, as part of its effort to obtain a contract. The others are LaSalle Elementary and Thomas Elementary, both in Northeast, and Walker-Jones Educational Center in Northwest.
Leonard P. Massie Jr., principal of LaSalle, said the school has benefited greatly from EdBuild's help. If the board approves EdBuild's proposal, he said, LaSalle would seek a construction partnership. He said he thinks that EdBuild could speed up modernization of the building.
"We are making nice gains in the percent of students becoming proficient and advanced" on practice tests, Massie said. "We are making some grand strides."
