School Takeover Opposed In Vote

D.C. Board Opens Fight With Fenty

The D.C. Board of Education launched a political battle last night against Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, officially opposing his campaign to take over the public schools and announcing plans to offer an alternative proposal.

In their unanimous approval of the resolution, board members essentially put themselves in a head-to-head battle with Fenty (D) and the D.C. Council. This morning, the council is to hold its first hearing on Fenty's proposal, which would remove significant power from the school board.

It was not immediately clear what kind of schools plan the board will propose. Board members said they will complete their plan by Jan. 26 and then hold public hearings on it in February. After a vote March 7, the school board would submit its proposal to the council.

But the school board appears to have little power to block Fenty's proposal. Any alternative would have to be approved by council members, a majority of whom have said they support Fenty's effort.

Their opposition, members said, is aimed at raising the board's profile in the debate and rallying support for the board, which is comprised of elected and appointed members.

"I think it's important the board presents its alternative to the public and community," said school board President Robert C. Bobb. "The board looks forward to participating in the public discussion."

Bobb publicly announced his opposition to Fenty's plan last month. He said then that he would push city officials to introduce a school-readiness program providing health and other services for children from birth to age 5.

"The Board of Education is not on recess while these large conversations take place in the community," Bobb said.

Under Fenty's proposal, authority to oversee the superintendent and the 140 schools would shift from the board to the mayor.

Functions typically handled by states but administered in the District by the city school board, including setting learning standards and student assessments, would be shifted to the State Education Office, which is under the mayor's authority. Under Fenty's plan, the school board would perform only the functions usually overseen by states. At this point, it is unclear whether the board's decisions would be binding or whether they would be considered recommendations.

Fenty's proposal also calls for shifting administration of school construction projects from the system to a newly established entity. The construction authority would carry out the system's $2.3 billion school modernization program.

Fenty also would give the council line-item control over the school system's budget.