From The Post
		• Candidate Cafritz Demurs on Mayoral Endorsement
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Peggy Cooper Cafritz

Age: 53.

Residence: Palisades.

Education: BA, political science, 1968; JD, 1971, George Washington University.

Occupation: Parent, education reform advocate, arts activist and fundraiser, arts reviewer for WETA's "Around Town," attorney.

Elected offices/related activities: Co-founder, Duke Ellington School of the Arts; board of trustees, University of the District of Columbia; vice chairman, President's Commission on the Arts and Humanities; co-chairman, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities (1979-1987); executive committee, D.C. Board of Higher Education (1971-1976).

Family: Divorced, two children; primary custody and guardianship of seven other children, two pursuant to court order.

Why should the voters elect you? "Voters should elect me because I will devote all of my considerable experience to attaining world-class public schools for our city. I will seek to recruit and retain teachers who are masters of the subjects they teach, and pay them whatever the market requires. I will undertake a Marshall Plan for the repair and replacement of our dilapidated school buildings and facilities. And I will demand that DCPS be an institution that exists solely to serve students and families. Our children are as bright as any in the world. They deserve for a change to be treated like it."

What is the school system's most urgent problem? "Its inability, as reflected by test scores and other indicators of student performance, to prepare our children to succeed in today's economy."

E-mail address: Z102684@aol.com

Robert G. Childs *incumbent

Age: 44.

Residence: Ward 4—Crestwood Community.

Education: BA, Bishop College in Dallas, 1978; master of divinity, Howard University, 1981.

Occupation: Minister; senior pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Washington (pastor since 1985).

Elected offices/related activities: President and at-large representative to the D.C. Board of Education; former graduate assistant to the dean of the chapel at Howard University; former assistant to the professor of Old Testament studies and a lecturer in Hebrew language at Howard University School of Divinity; lecturer and adjunct and professor in practical ministries at Howard University School of Divinity; president of the New England Missionary Baptist Convention.

Family: Married. Three children.

Why should the voters elect you? "I have been, and continuously remain, committed to improving the education of District of Columbia children. Four years ago, I ran and won my seat on the Board of Education on the merits of reforming the board. During the last four years, the only powers the board has had full responsibility for was charter school oversight. In my first year, while chairing the board's Committee on Education, we put in place procedures and guidelines for monitoring and holding accountable our charter schools, which were the first charter schools in the District. Today, those charter schools must at least meet or exceed the standards in traditional public schools.

What is the school system's most urgent problem? "Fine-tuning the student funding and special education transportation systems, improving the payroll and procurements systems, and upgrading, renovating and/or totally replacing school facilities.

E-mail address: chlds140@aol.com

Lawrence A. ‘Larry' Gray

Age: 52.

Residence: Capitol Hill.

Education: Portland State University, Portland Community College, Portland, Ore.; Antioch Center for Basic Human Problems, Washington, D.C.; U.S. Navy, Vietnam era.

Occupation: Full-time PTA education activist.

Elected offices/related activities: Legislative chairman, D.C. Congress of Parent and Teachers Associations. Co-director, "Just Vote No" school referendum campaign, June 2000. At-large member, Committee of 21, long-term DCPS facilities management planning team. Community representative, Miner Elementary School and Spingarn Senior High School local school restructuring teams. Chairman, school governance and management subcommittee, Mayor Williams transition team.

Family: Married, one child.

Why should the voters elect you? "A PTA advocate of children first; seeking accountability, budget integrity and competence measures for teachers and students. I work with parents city-wide, the mayor, Board of Education, D.C. Council and Congress to find consensus. Academics, facilities, health and nutrition, special education, music arts and technology upgrades are my emphasis. I support superintendent's efforts to improve resource procurement, attract and retain highly qualified teachers and principals, and improve basic student learning skills. I pledge continued efforts for secure neighborhood schools, smaller class size, career vocational training, adult education and holding charter and regular public schools to achievement goals. I oppose privatization and school vouchers."

What is the school system's most urgent problem? "Special-education costs for private placements and transportation, academic curriculum and food safety standards, misdirected control board contracting, inadequate federal grants management."

E-mail address: liberal47@juno.com