Fenty, Rhee Look for Ways Around Union

City wants U.S. to declare "state of emergency" for its schools to ease way for system-wide overhaul. Above, D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee at work in her office. (Sarah L. Voisin - The Washington Post)

According to an account of the forum, written by Post Editorial Page Editor Fred Hiatt and published on Monday's op-ed page, Rhee said a "vast majority" of teachers want to be judged on how they perform and that some are saying, "Just let us secede."

Rhee, who was wearing a sheriff's badge at the Halloween meeting, said that making some schools independent could set up an "incredibly interesting" experiment. When an audience member asked if she would consider declaring a state of emergency, Rhee said, "We're researching all of our options."

Weingarten declined comment on the matter Friday. "We're not going to get involved in a public negotiation," federation spokesman George Jackson said.

Union President George Parker said he was not aware that Fenty and Rhee have such ideas under consideration. But he said any attempt to weaken the union would be vigorously fought.

"Any effort to circumvent collective bargaining will be met with serious opposition on the part of WTU and its members," he said.

Obama's election has triggered intense speculation in education policy circles about the future of education reform in the District, and the impact a new administration might have. In the closing moments of the final presidential debate, Obama praised Rhee as a "wonderful new superintendent" working with Fenty to overhaul the school system.

At the Aspen Institute forum, which occurred before the election, Rhee said the fate of her reform efforts could "depend on the fortitude of the administration."

Privately, union leaders said they regarded the chances of the District securing a New Orleans-style state of emergency from the federal government as remote, given Obama's victory and the heavy Democratic margins in congressional elections Nov. 4.

There is also scant evidence that Fenty and Rhee have attempted to build support for the idea with potential allies. A spokeswoman for Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, said he has had no discussions on the matter with District officials. A spokeswoman for Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings also said she was unaware of any talks.

A phone message Friday to Stanford University professor Linda Darling-Hammond, one of two leaders of Obama's education transition team, was not returned.

Union leaders said the proposal to revive the District's chartering power, now held exclusively by the Public Charter School Board, is of more concern. Tom Nida, charter board chairman, said he had no objection to the idea in principle but that it needed careful study.

"It's a logical step for her to take," he said of Rhee's idea.