Lew Seeks Control of Maintaining Schools

Last year, Superintendent Clifford B. Janey proposed closing 19 schools with low enrollment on a staggered schedule until 2019. Reinoso testified yesterday that enrollment in the D.C. system is projected to drop by 3,700 students this year.

Enrollment in the city's charter schools continues to rise, and education leaders are looking at how to best accommodate the space needs of the independently run public schools.

Reinoso's office has circulated a questionnaire to charter schools, which is due back Monday, asking them about their space requirements and leasing preferences for the 2008-09 school year

Lew said the Master Facilities Plan, which outlines the timetable for school construction projects over 15 years, was prepared before the mayoral takeover and doesn't reflect $75 million in summer repairs and upcoming maintenance, at a cost of $120 million.

Lew said he needs a year to study the plan, make changes and hold community meetings to solicit feedback, which he said could result in faster construction of some projects.

Also yesterday, D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) asked Reinoso about yesterday's deadline for the school system to certify to the council that students had received all "textbooks, workbooks and adequate instructional material in each core subject," as required by law.

Reinoso told Gray that officials would miss the deadline but pledged to provide an update by Monday.