D.C. Gun Ban Is Out, But Regulations Stay

Lew's office said it had been forced to issue "stop work" orders to nine construction companies working on 30 schools.

Both officials later backed away somewhat from that declaration.

A spokesman for Lew said yesterday that the council's action will allow work to resume, and that all renovations "related to classroom instruction" will be ready at the start of school.

Other kinds of work, on roofs, boilers and other infrastructure, will continue as classes begin, the spokesman said.

Rhee's push for the pre-K-to-8 configuration involves academic and pragmatic goals. Some experts contend that traditional middle schools (grades 6 to 8) have not met the emotional and academic needs of adolescents.

Big urban districts, they say, have not had the funds to provide sufficient teachers or specialized training. Consolidating pre-K, kindergarten, elementary and middle grades could make it easier to provide those resources, as well as ensure more continuity for students during a turbulent developmental stage.

The pre-K-to-8 format is also an attempt to staunch the traditionally heavy flow of students away from public schools after the fifth grade. Having the option of remaining in a familiar environment, proponents say, might lead more families to remain in the system.

"We've lost a lot of our children at the middle school level," said Council member Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4).

But many parents are reluctant to place young children and the often unruly older ones in the same building.

Referring to his own grade school-age daughter, Council member Mendelson said, "I'm not sure I'd want her in school with adolescents."

Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) was the lone dissenter. Earlier in the day, he issued a news release about the transfers and school construction contracts that were also approved last night.

Though the council voted on the contracts last night, work had started. The contracts were retroactive, giving the council vote little power.

"The Fenty administration is jamming the Council with this last-ditch effort," Barry said in the release.

"The mayor's office should understand that retroactive contracts cannot be awarded. . . . I personally urge my colleagues to vote against all of them."

Before the vote, Barry said on the dais that the council's lopsided relationship with Fenty must end, referring to frequent fights over the mayor initiating contracts without council approval.

"I'm disturbed because it follows a pattern of Mayor Fenty," he said.

The day-long legislative meeting was the council's last before summer recess, which ends in September. The council will tackle permanent gun legislation when it returns to work.

The marathon meeting also ended a legislative session in which the council approved its version of universal health care, mandatory paid sick leave for all workers and energy-conservation legislation.