8/11/2019 Carol Schwartz School Boundary Statement

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 22, 2014

Contact: Andre Strickland202-332-6832

Carol Schwartz Provides Some Thoughts on Newly Authorized School Boundary Plan

Mayor Vincent Gray has authorized the new school boundary plan to go into effect for the 2015-16school year. As I stated several times previously, I had asked for these plans to be delayed so that thenew Mayor could have greater input on these decisions. However, I understand Mayor Grays desire tomove ahead on what is and would be difficult choices for any Mayor at a time when he, as a non-returning Mayor, could take politics out of it.

I recognize some changes were necessary because of school closings which led to students feeding intomultiple schools, causing instability both for them and the school system as a whole. I also feel that theboundary changes just authorized by the Mayor yesterday are much better than the first proposedchanges and somewhat better than the last ones. In addition, I want to acknowledge the hard work andeffort made by the Chancellor, the State Superintendent, all of the community volunteers and others

who helped in this tough task.

I am certain that any newly elected Mayor can create the opportunity to make some changes to thisplan. I always feel that all government actions that need some tweaking, slight revision, or even moresignificant change can be effectuated. My first goal, if I am elected, is to ensure that every neighborhoodschool in every area of the city would be of such high quality that all students and their families wouldwant to attend them. Although we re not there yet, I will speed the arrival of that day.

There are aspects about the proposal which I think are good. I am glad that students already in anelementary school who are in third grade or above can stay in place and can go onto their currentlyassigned middle school and high school. Younger students (below third grade) will have family stabilityas well if they have a sibling attending their currently assigned school at the same time they are--orwould be--there.

I am also encouraged to see that yesterday s proposal sets aside at least 10% of seats in everyelementary school for out-of-boundary students as well as 15% for middle school and 20% for highschool. The proposal also says that at-risk students should have the opportunity for 25% of those seatsin more affluent schools. This does take away some of my worry about the plan moving us towards amore segregated school system. When my own kids went to the DC Public Schools, a major part of the

CAROL SCHWARTZ FOR MAYOR

8/11/2019 Carol Schwartz School Boundary Statement

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appeal was that they were integrated schools. I want all students to have that opportunity to learn witha diverse student body. I certainly dont want to turn back the clock on Brown vs the Board of Education,nor would I allow that to happen.

Additionally, I would like to have more coordination with charter schools. I do realize that they wereinvited to the table, but that they dropped out. With the ratio of charter school versus traditional publicschool attendance nearly approaching 50/50 in this city, the need for planning and coordination is agrowing imperative. Charter schools provide a role as competition, which can help make traditionalpublic schools better. Yet we are all part of one system with the same goal: best serving students of theDistrict and providing excellent schools for all.

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