D.C. Council Set for 'Big Risk' on Fenty's Takeover Proposal

The D.C. Council is prepared to authorize placing the District's public education system under the control of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty as early as next month, but members acknowledge some public opposition and describe the takeover as one of the biggest gambles the city will have taken.

"It's a big risk," said council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D). "This is probably the toughest issue we'll face." He said it is not clear that mayoral control will guarantee improvements in school performance.

Although the council is expected to craft several amendments to the takeover proposal this month, including one that could require the mayor to show improvements in the failing system within a certain period, Gray indicated Fenty (D) will probably win an easy majority when the council votes.

"If you think you are going to be successful, put it on the line," Gray said. "My thought is to give him five years."

As a result, members are discussing addition of a "sunset provision," which would allow the council to withdraw mayoral control of the schools or authorize a referendum on the issue.

Gray plans to schedule a vote on the plan for next month, and Fenty could take control of the 55,000-student system, charter schools attended by 19,700 students and the University of the District of Columbia by summer.

The council began formal consideration of the takeover proposal after more than 60 hours of public hearings and testimony from at least 300 witnesses. The council heard students complain about the crumbling school buildings and education specialists describe successes and problems in cities where mayors have taken over the public schools.

Mayoral aides said Fenty is open to minor amendments to his legislation but is adamant that the council maintain the core tenets of his bill. In particular, he opposes the sunset provision, saying it is unnecessary because the council would be free to change the governance structure at any time through regular legislation.

Under the bill, the school board would be stripped of its authority over the school superintendent and budget. However, the board would continue to have input on predominantly educational functions usually handled by state boards, such as teacher certification and standardized testing.

Another proposed amendment would allow the Board of Education to retain some administrative powers, such as the right to hire the chief state education officer and a school ombudsman.

Robert C. Bobb, the president of the Board of Education, said some proposed amendments were a "step in the right direction," but he questioned the five-year timetable described by Gray.

"The pace of reforming this urban system is going to take longer than five years," Bobb said.