PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 22, 2014
Contact: Andre Strickland
202-332-6832

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 2015-16
school year. As I stated several times previously, I had asked for these plans to be delayed so that the
new Mayor could have greater input on these decisions. However, I understand Mayor Grays desire to
move 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 into
multiple schools, causing instability both for them and the school system as a whole. I also feel that the
boundary changes just authorized by the Mayor yesterday are much better than the first proposed
changes and somewhat better than the last ones. In addition, I want to acknowledge the hard work and
effort 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 this
plan. I always feel that all government actions that need some tweaking, slight revision, or even more
significant change can be effectuated. My first goal, if I am elected, is to ensure that every neighborhood
school in every area of the city would be of such high quality that all students and their families would
want to attend them. Although were 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 an
elementary school who are in third grade or above can stay in place and can go onto their currently
assigned middle school and high school. Younger students (below third grade) will have family stability
as well if they have a sibling attending their currently assigned school at the same time they are--or
would be--there.
I am also encouraged to see that yesterdays proposal sets aside at least 10% of seats in every
elementary school for out-of-boundary students as well as 15% for middle school and 20% for high
school. The proposal also says that at-risk students should have the opportunity for 25% of those seats
in more affluent schools. This does take away some of my worry about the plan moving us towards a
more segregated school system. When my own kids went to the DC Public Schools, a major part of the
CAROL SCHWARTZ FOR MAYOR
appeal was that they were integrated schools. I want all students to have that opportunity to learn with
a 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 were
invited to the table, but that they dropped out. With the ratio of charter school versus traditional public
school attendance nearly approaching 50/50 in this city, the need for planning and coordination is a
growing imperative. Charter schools provide a role as competition, which can help make traditional
public schools better. Yet we are all part of one system with the same goal: best serving students of the
District and providing excellent schools for all.


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