New House Bill Would Give D.C. Mayor Power to Appoint Members of the Public Charter School Board

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/19/AR2008061903569.html

A bill introduced by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) would do away with the federal government's role in nominating members of the D.C. Public Charter School Board and put all the power in the hands of city officials. Since 1996, D.C's mayor has appointed members of the seven-person board, but his appointments are based on a list provided by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Norton said in a statement that the process is no longer appropriate given the phenomenal growth of the public charter system. She said there is resentment that board members do not have to live in D.C. yet are making decisions there. Two current board members reside outside the District. "The board cannot be appropriately accountable if its members are chosen from outside the accountable jurisdiction," she said. "Because the mayor is not permitted to select members other than those submitted by the secretary, the federal government inserts itself into critical decision making about an important local education matter."

Source: Washington Post (free registration required)
Date: 06/19/2008
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