In Need of Repair
A power struggle between the mayor and the Council can only hurt the District's schools.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

BEFORE IT recessed for the summer, the D.C. Council approved millions of dollars in contracts to fix up city schools. Needed work can now take place in time for the start of classes in the fall. Still in disarray, though, is the relationship between council and mayor that -- if left unrepaired -- threatens to undo the District's noble effort at education reform.

Some $50 million in repairs at 29 schools got caught up in the dispute between Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and the council. Thankfully, the council gave way, albeit reluctantly, in reprogramming money so that the work could proceed. The incident was the latest -- and most troubling -- sign of the tug of war between Mr. Fenty and council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) over schools.

Mr. Gray was instrumental in the council's historic decision to give the mayor control of schools but, of late, he seems unwilling to give Mr. Fenty or Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee freedom to do the job. How else to explain his demand that Ms. Rhee provide minute details about her judgments not to reappoint principals? The council has oversight responsibilities, but the scrutiny being applied to Ms. Rhee is more meddlesome than helpful. The chairman's office prepared and circulated emergency legislation to launch an investigation, with subpoenas, into the mayor's reform efforts. Quickly withdrawn, the measure nonetheless provides unsettling insight into the frayed feelings between mayor and chairman.

The mayor is hardly blameless. It's almost as though he goes out of his way to aggravate the chairman. Instead of treating Mr. Gray as a partner in school reform, Mr. Fenty is dismissive of the chairman's concerns. The controversy about the contracts might well have been avoided if Mr. Fenty had been more forthcoming with information or given the council more time.

One of the things we admire about Mr. Fenty is the sense of urgency he brings to city government. Still, he must be mindful of concerns that the council -- and by extension the public -- are being bulldozed and shut out. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) cast the only vote against the school repair reprogramming, but the mayor should listen to his warning that others could join Mr. Barry in opposition. At risk is the chance to really fix the schools.