Mary Froning 
Notes on a meeting on Wilson High School Autonomy
December 12, 2006

DCPSWatch Home

Major Areas
DC Public Schools
Mayoral Takeover
Special Education

State Education Agency
State Education Office
Vouchers
WTU
Wilson S.H.S.

Calendars
Board of Education
School Year

Columns
Elizabeth Davis
Ron Drake
Erich Martel
Nathan Saunders

Directories
Schools

Letters

Links

Organizations
DC Education Compact
Parents United
Proposition 100%

Press

Search

DCWatch Home

INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON DR. TARASON’S MEETINGS ABOUT WILSON TAKING ON RESPONSIBILITY FOR FACILITIES AND NEGOTIATIONS ON OTHER ISSUES 

Dr. Tarason was called downtown last Wednesday (12/6/06) for a meeting with Dr. Janey and his staff about proceeding with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Superintendent and the Wilson community. Dr. Tarason has been informed that all communications about “self-management” would be with and through him.

On Friday (12/7/06) Dr. Tarason asked several people to meet with him to discuss the results of that meeting. He has authorized us to share the information imparted in that meeting with the LSRT for informational purposes. Besides Dr. Tarason, present at the meeting were Chuck Samuels, Mary Froning, Bob Zugby, Jim Leonard, Greg Bargeman, Doris Spruell, and Ginny Callanen. .

Dr. Tarason made it clear that Dr. Janey was very active and very interested in making discussions and action move forward without further impediment. He said it was time to move away from Byzantine ways of operating to something more creative. He reportedly also made it clear that with increased flexibility would come expectations for a higher level of results from Wilson. If needed, these points might be incorporated in a School Board resolution

The DCPS group made clear to Dr. Tarason that in working toward and implementing Wilson self-management, they would not be working with the LSRT. Ms. Hairston (DCPS General Counsel) said she would be writing an opinion arguing that LSRT’s have no legal mandate to perform such a function. Instead, the plan would be to work through Dr. Tarason and a group of authorized representatives (more about that later in the memo). In addition, Dr. Janey removed Wilson from the list of 10 schools that were designated in the WTU contract as pilot or innovative schools. According to Dr. Tarason, the Superintendent described Wilson as ahead of that curve, saying the process developed with Wilson would undoubtedly be the model for the innovative schools. 

The first area to be turned over to Wilson would be the repair/maintenance responsibilities. Cornell Brown (DCPS Facilities head) reportedly gave the dismal assessment that in DC the repair/maintenance budget is woefully low, allowing only 10 cents per square foot per school for materials (Wilson’s allocation was estimated at $5000). The downtown people mentioned that it was hoped that the 501(c)(3) organization that would be used to funnel the money would also do fundraising to increase the funds available. [At this point in the Wilson-only meeting, Chuck Samuels reported on a meeting he, Doris, and Jack Koczela had attended on Monday (12/5) with representatives of Building Hope.* This was being explored by the Wilson committee on forming the Wilson non-profit 501(c)(3) as a resource for helping manage funds and projects such as facilities, repairs and renovation. The firm is made up former accounting firm employees who are willing to help get the requested audits underway.] The downtown people were positive in their response to the idea of working with Building Hope, while noting that it would also be necessary for Wilson to have its own 501(c)(3). The model for this part of self-management would be Duke Ellington and Bell Multicultural, which also have formed 501(c)(3) arms to do repair/maintenance. DCPS Central would provide funding to hire a senior business officer at Wilson who would interact with the nonprofits. It was hoped that personnel funding for a repair/maintenance person also might come with the shift to self-management. 

On the aspect of the turnover of facilities (besides repair/maintenance) there are three major prongs—i.e., the pool, the feasibility study for modernization, and the roof. Cornell Brown said in exchange for the others, he wanted Wilson to allow the roof replacement to go through. [In the Wilson-only meeting Ms. Callanen said she would continue to work with DCPS to ensure that the materials are appropriate and that the work is done while school is not in session. In addition, she indicated that some long delayed repairs were being undertaken (e.g., an electrical upgrade that would allow air conditioning in the library, installation of doors that have been onsite for two years, etc.).] Besides the money in this year’s budget for repair/maintenance that would be given to Wilson, Dr. Janey is asking for an additional $15 million for repair/maintenance for the system next year, which could mean increased funding for materials for Wilson next school year.

Next steps include:

(1) Dr. Janey and George Parker (head of the teacher’s union or WTU) must meet immediately to iron out any differences they might have about this approach. Dr. Tarason stated that he reiterated to the DCPS people that the plan going forward was to honor all WTU contract provisions with regard to staff.

(2) Ms. Hairston will determine what action is needed with the School Board. She also will write an opinion concerning the need for an authorized group outside the LSRT to negotiate the details of self-management and may address the definition of “consensus” in LSRT rules.

(3) Dr. Tarason will hold a meeting or meetings with the faculty concerning this issue. In addition, Jim Leonard suggested that following that meeting, a series of collaborative meetings be held to ensure full participation of faculty in the process going forward.

(4) Following those three steps, Dr. Tarason will create a group that is authorized to negotiate with the Superintendent. There are no firm plans on how to do that, but it will be Dr. Tarason’s decision.

Submitted by Mary L. Froning, Wilson parent