VOTERS GUIDE An Expanded Online Edition from The Current Newspapers ■ APRIL 26, 2011, SPECIAL ELECTION About the April 26 election
About the Voters Guide
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26. You may also request an absentee ballot by mail through April 19. Early voting will start April 11 at One Judiciary Square, 441 4th St. NW, and will continue daily through April 25 except Sunday, April 24. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., except for April 25, when voting will end at 4:45 p.m., and April 17, when voting will take place from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Voters registered as of April 4 are eligible to vote; if you are not registered to vote, you may register at an early voting location or on Election Day and cast a special ballot. More information can be obtained by visiting dcboee.org or calling 202-727-2525.
The Current interviewed the major candidates in races within our coverage area in the April 26 election — the contests for an at-large D.C. Council seat and the State Board of Education seat for Ward 4. The interviews provided the basis for profiles combining biographical information and a discussion of candidates’ priorities, as well as charts offering brief positions on a host of specific issues. A version of this Voters Guide was published in The Current’s April 6 issue. This expanded version, available at issuu.com/currentnewspapers, includes additional questions and answers in chart form, as well as profiles of the Ward 4 board candidates not included in print due to space limitations.
AT-LARGE D.C. COUNCIL SEAT
Sekou Biddle
Joshua Lopez
Vincent Orange
Sekou Biddle has been an interim at-large D.C. Council member since January. The Democratic State Committee selected him to fill the seat temporarily when Kwame Brown was elected council chairman. A former D.C. Board of Education member, Biddle previously worked as a regional executive director for Jumpstart for Young Children and directed community outreach for KIPP DC (Knowledge Is Power Program), which runs three city charter schools. If elected, he said, he plans to concentrate most on education, employment and the city’s budget. “Our ability to prepare young people for college and the world of work, as well as to support adults trying to get jobs, has to be our highest priority.” He said the city needs to align its education resources — from pre-k through the University of the District of Columbia, as well as libraries and job-training programs, “to support our residents’ success.” To measure the progress of D.C.’s public schools, he said he would look at test scores, how many parents are enrolling their children, and whether teachers are leaving for charter or suburban schools. See Biddle/Page VG5
Joshua Lopez, recently a project manager for a Georgia Avenue community development nonprofit organization, is a former advisory neighborhood commissioner in Brightwood. Lopez, also a former vice president of the Ward 4 Democrats group, worked in various capacities for Adrian Fenty, including serving on the Commission on Latino Community Development. If elected, Lopez said, he would focus most on education reform, public safety and government accountability. “The education reform efforts started under Chancellor [Michelle] Rhee must continue,” Lopez said, and D.C. should continue the IMPACT teacher-evaluation system. “The system measures people on results,” he said. “Some may feel uncomfortable with it. You have people going into classrooms looking at how teachers are educating young people.” But he said such a close look is necessary in a system that was “graduating students who could not read or write.” Parents, fellow teachers and students — even those in elementary grades — should help with evaluations, he said. The District needs to “reach out to parents by See Lopez/Page VG3
Vincent Orange, D.C. Democratic National Commiteeman, served as the Ward 5 D.C. Council member from 1999 to 2007. Most recently, he was vice president of public affairs for Pepco. A lawyer, public accountant and auditor, he was chief financial officer for the National Children’s Center. If elected, Orange said, his highest priorities would be fiscal responsibility, education reform and elimination of fraud and abuse. “We must balance our budgets, keep our bond ratings and manage the cap on our debt service,” he said. Orange said D.C. can produce new revenue without raising tax rates by encouraging tax-generating projects like the convention center hotel and those at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, St. Elizabeths Hospital and the Anacostia and Southwest waterfronts. He doesn’t think major cuts are necessary to close the city’s $320 million deficit. Agencies must be ordered, “pursuant to the law, to spend 50 percent of their budgets with our registered local businesses, as we can then collect profits taxes and employment taxes that we would not otherwise collect.” See Orange/Page VG3
Dorothy Douglas
Patrick Mara
Bryan Weaver
Dorothy Douglas, a native Washingtonian, has represented Ward 7 on the D.C. State Board of Education since 2008. Previously, she served as an advisory neighborhood commissioner in Northeast for 12 years, including four as chair. Before retiring, she worked as a case manager for the D.C. Department of Corrections, and she describes her job as having been “similar to a social worker.” If elected, Douglas said, she would concentrate most on education, housing and employment. She said she would ensure that D.C. has “the bestquality teachers” in its public schools. To judge teacher effectiveness, she said, “there needs to be an evaluation panel — not just the principal, but also parents and other teachers. Many of our teachers are unprepared.” Student-teaching experience is essential for new teachers “so they will know how to service our children,” she said. “It is on-the-job training, so they will be sure it is the kind of job they would like to continue with.” Experienced private school teachers should be See Douglas/Page VG4
Patrick Mara was recently elected the Ward 1 member of the D.C. State Board of Education. Mara heads his own political consulting group, which deals with small businesses and political and nonprofit fundraising. In the past, he worked as a contractor for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, working on clean transportation tools and electricity restructuring. If elected, he said, he would concentrate most on education, fiscal responsibility and congressional relations. Mara said he would “be able to do far more to advance educational reform as a member of the council than I can from the school board.” He said his major education goals are to ensure that IMPACT, a teacher-evaluation tool, “is continued in the way that was envisioned by former Chancellor [Michelle] Rhee”; to continue “building in-house capacity for special education in the District”; and to “emphasize workforce development.” He said the city government needs to “work with the employer community to determine needed skill sets over the next several years,” and then help unemployed adults develop those skills. “Many of the See Mara/Page VG3
Bryan Weaver served on the Adams Morgan advisory neighborhood commission from 2003 to 2010. He runs Hoops Sagrado, a nonprofit he founded in 1996 to take at-risk D.C. youth to Guatemala every summer for basketball clinics, language and cultural exchange and community building. He previously worked as assistant press secretary for the Democratic National Committee. If elected, Weaver said, his top priorities would be open government, youth issues and city solvency. “The District government ... has been secretive for decades,” he said, creating a “feeling of backroom deals.” Weaver said he would target the city’s extensive use of non-bid city contracts and earmarks. “Why are we picking one group over another? Right now, an organization with a connection gets the contracts.” Those connections can include political campaign contributions, said Weaver. Currently, companies with subsidiaries and sister LLCs can contribute to campaigns, making it difficult for citizens to trace ownership, he said. “So in essence, it becomes blind checks from unnamed companies.” When the same companies later win non-bid city contracts, it forms the See Weaver/Page VG5
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WARD 4 D.C. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
D. Kamili Anderson
Bill Quirk
D. Kamili Anderson is a freelance editor, writer and publications consultant whose work has involved education-related topics. She is also active in her neighborhood, having served as president of the Brightwood Community Association for five years and now serving as chair of its busi-
Bill Quirk works as an attorney for the Children’s National Medical Center. He has been an advisory neighborhood commissioner in Petworth since 2008 and became chair of his commission this year. If elected to serve on the school board, he said, he would concentrate
An Almquist
Andrew Moss
An Almquist is a visiting professor at the University of the District of Columbia’s National Center for Urban Education. She instructs on how to facilitate literacy development in urban classrooms and presents case studies in effective teaching and learning. If elected, she said, she would concentrate most on higher academic achievement, teacher effectiveness and school safety. “We need to set high rigorous standards for all students,” Almquist said. “I believe all students can achieve, regardless of their social economic backgrounds or any disabilities they might have.” Schools must be aware of students’ interests, preferences and abilities and challenge them to the peak of their abilities, said Almquist. “We must look at test scores and other data to see if this occurs.” Almquist said the school system should offer a greater variety of programs to meet students’ differing needs, including more Advanced Placement courses, vocational programs, life-skills classes and bilingual immersion programs. “For special-needs students, we must ensure post-secondary-outcome goals are in place to help them find employment, independent living, selfadvocacy or post-secondary training,” she explained. For students interested in highlevel science and technology courses, the system should explore partnering with local universities, said Almquist. Younger students should be able to take high school courses if they have the skills, she added. About teacher effectiveness, Almquist said, “We need to use best practices in the process of recruiting, retaining, developing and rewarding our teachers. They must have the proper credentials.” While charter and private schools can hire teachers without standard credentials, she said, the public schools must demand them. “Recruitment must be based on references, educational background, accomplishments, professionalism and a proven ability to adapt and lead,” she said. She added, however, that private school teachers who want to work in public schools should be able to get See Almquist/Page VG4
Andrew Moss works for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he monitors and evaluates funds awarded by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. If elected to the school board, Moss said, he would concentrate most on continuing education reform, establishing core curriculum and implementing “Race to the Top.” “I’ve seen firsthand what is necessary to see that our students are competitive in higher education or in the workforce,” Moss said. He said parents are “the primary stakeholders” in their children’s education, and reform must be geared more toward involving them. At one school where he worked, he said, there was 70 percent parental involvement, and “parent appreciation events” celebrated their contributions. “This was a disadvantaged community; 80 to 85 percent of the students were on the free lunch program,” he said. Moss believes the school board should hold hearings on how to increase parent involvement “where there are problems.” He said his “only critique” of former Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee was that “the communication efforts of her reform could have been presented to all stakeholders in a better way.” He said “communities with affluent minorities were given the opportunities to provide input and feedback,” but not all communities had the same opportunity. Moss also emphasized that the District must “make sure we have a more rigorous curriculum to prepare students for higher education or employment.” Mastery of the fundamentals is essential, he said: “As a carpenter, you have to know how to measure and to understand geometry.” He believes schools must establish firm grade-level standards that students are required to meet before advancing to the next grade. “This will make our students on par with those in states with higher performance levels and make them more competitive when it comes to applying for colleges.” Currently the District has implemented standards for math and English, but “science is an area where we need to have more of a See Moss/Page VG4
ness improvement committee. She is also a board member of the Brightwood Beacon Business Association. If elected, Anderson said, she would concentrate most on the teacher evaluation process, renovating and building new facilities and improving students’ workforce preparation. Anderson said she approves of the IMPACT teacher-evaluation process but sees areas that need improvement. “I agree with the way it was developed and vetted,” she said. Among the improvements she suggested is a greater emphasis on a teacher’s significance to a school “as a whole.” Teachers who are helpful outside the classroom, she said, can be “very significant.” She also said evaluations should not include personal elements. “External evaluators in a subject matter should be more important” than evaluators within a school. Anderson believes in the power of testing, saying, “Test scores should have more emphasis, as they are good, objective measures.” Still, she thinks No Child Left Behind “was a step backward,” because of its rigidity in mandating a certain level of performance. She thinks teachers should be rewarded for making strides, even if students remain below grade level. “We should argue the case for special recognition and rewards for teachers producing major improvements,” she said. Anderson thinks teacher seniority receives far more weight than it should, as student progress is far more important. Parents’ views on teacher performance should also be considered, as “they are the consumers.” On renovating and building facilities, Anderson said school structures have a major impact on student performance and should therefore get more attention than they do now. Budget cuts might be made in other areas, with the savings chanSee Anderson/Page VG4
most on implementing grade-level standards, coordinating the city’s educational services and encouraging community participation. Quirk said the goal of establishing core educational standards for D.C. students “is to prevent children from dropping out of high school due to a lack of earlier preparation.” The city “should pick a date at which every child … should be at or above grade level,” he said. “I think it’s practical. … You could do it with benchmarks for different years.” He said schools must “implement the pre-established standards at an ever-younger age so that when our children reach middle school, they have mastered the material contained in the standards.” But for children younger than prek, core standards would “be too difficult to implement,” since parents have different goals for the development of their young children. “All pre-k programs should be educational, but I don’t think you can quantify educational standards at that young age,” he said. A key to implementing standards, Quirk said, is ensuring teachers “do not promote kids who have not mastered the material in the standards” even if they stay in a grade for several years. Students from other areas who enter into the D.C. school system “should be admitted to their old grade level, but should not be promoted until they have mastered the standards,” he said. Quirk said the school system should be responsible for remedial measures for students who aren’t meeting goals. If students are held back for several consecutive years, they should enter a special-education program and then be “held to a different standard,” he said. To coordinate city educational services, Quirk said, school board members “should work with the deputy mayor for education’s office and ward See Quirk/Page VG4
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MARA From Page VG1 unemployed are ex-offenders, or have never graduated high school or earned a General Equivalency Diploma,� he said. For D.C. schools, Mara believes more arts, music and extracurricular programs could help decrease truancy and dropout rates. He said once a universal pre-kindergarten system is implemented fully, the
city must “make sure our data systems are in place to properly identify areas for improvements among children — where we can improve learning and curb any behavioral problems.� To put the city on a path toward fiscal responsibility, Mara said, the District needs to “look for ways to reduce spending, rather than looking at individual taxpayers and small businesses as a revenue-raiser like the council currently does.� “During the Fenty years, we
LOPEZ From Page VG1 funding the parental involvement office,â€? Lopez said. “Employees should knock on non-participating parents’ doors to tell them what support is available.â€? He said schools need a standardized curriculum, which the council can help develop along with the chancellor and school board. The school system also needs more vocational education programs, Lopez said. “Some unions,â€? he said, referring to a D.C. electrical association, “are willing for free ‌
ORANGE From Page VG1 He said the city can increase revenue by managing its real property tax lien portfolio, investing in Medicaid reimbursement systems, and “marketing our state-of-the-art communications system to the federal government and others.� On education, he said the city needs to continue “adequate funding, investing in quality teachers, upgrading facilities, and [providing] opportunities for principals to
overspent, with council approval,� he said. The council “consistently has approved increased spending budgets to the point now that we have almost a $10 billion budget.� Mara said the city must also reduce its government workforce of more than 30,000, “over half of whom live outside the District.� He suggested more furloughs and reducing salaries of legislators and political appointees who are paid more than $100,000 per year. Mara stressed the importance of
to provide training courses ‌ .â€? To improve public safety, he said, the city must do more to engage ex-offenders. “We must help ex-offenders with adult education if they are illiterate. There is a program paying the unemployed to go to training programs. Most are not looking for high-level jobs. They just want to support themselves.â€? Lopez said the D.C. Council could increase efficiency and trim funds at the Metropolitan Police Department by more closely monitoring officer deployment and “wastefulâ€? overtime spending. “High-crime areas should have more officers assigned. We have to look where there is a need,â€? he said.
create environments for learning.� With the IMPACT teacher evaluation, the city must “secure buy-in from the teachers union, teachers themselves, parents, students, and the legislative and executive branches,� said Orange, advocating for hearings on the system. Parents should play a role in the teacher-evaluation process, he said, and, as the Washington Teachers’ Union has suggested, teachers’ peers should be included. Teachers should be rewarded, he said, for keeping students at grade level when they come to them at
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011 more carefully tracking the use of District-funded credit cards, which he said are not monitored if the charges are below $20,000. Mara, who would be the sole Republican council member if elected, said this distinction would improve the District’s relationship with the U.S. Congress. He said he has been meeting with congressional Republicans. “My message has been clear: Leave us alone,� Mara said. “Our District Democratic leaders are not
He said communities that can afford it should be able to tax themselves to fund additional private security. The police and fire departments should try to hire more D.C. residents, he said. On government accountability, Lopez said he has always “admired city councils in the past for asking tough questions.� “The last thing we need,� he said, “is a council that won’t challenge the executive and government agencies.� He said the city must be cautious about its hires, making sure to avoid nepotism. “The mayor has the freedom to put people into jobs that he wants, but they should be
grade level and for advancing students who come to them more than a year below grade level. Above all, said Orange, there must be “professional development for minimally effective teachers� and “clear criteria for dismissal of unsatisfactory teachers.� He said the city needs more Advanced Placement courses, more vocational training and more local facilities for special education. To prevent fraud and abuse, Orange believes the D.C. Council should establish an ethics committee. “We have to lead by example.�
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effectively communicating this message.� Mara said he would meet with 86 members of the House and Senate during his term, one member per week, to advocate for D.C. Mara, 36, was born in New York and grew up in Rhode Island. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental and political science from Marist College and a master’s in business administration from Babson College. He has worked for Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I.
qualified,� Lopez said. Lopez, 27, is a native Washingtonian who attended Maya Angelou Public Charter School. He earned a world-history degree from the University of the District of Columbia. During college he started attending public safety meetings, which led to work with then-Ward 4 Council member Adrian Fenty and then Fenty’s first mayoral campaign. Lopez also worked on Fenty’s 2010 re-election bid; after the primary loss, he helped a write-in campaign that drew more than 30,000 votes. Recently he worked for the Gateway Georgia Avenue Community Development Corp.
If elected, he said, he would focus on internal controls. “Our independent auditors have reported that our internal controls are inadequate to prevent another round of stealing at the Office of Tax and Revenue, where a low-level employee stole $50 million.� He detailed other abuses: “Individual refunds have been stolen. Department of Motor Vehicles tickets have been taken care of through bribery.� The city should make better use of its inspector general and auditor, he said.
Orange, 53, grew up in Oakland, Calif., before attending a Colorado boarding school on “A Better Chance� scholarship. He earned bachelor’s degrees in business administration and communications from the University of the Pacific and a law degree from Howard University. He received a master’s of laws in taxation from Georgetown University. Orange is a certified public accountant and attended two executive programs at Harvard. He ran for mayor in 2006 and for council chairman in 2010.
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DOUGLAS From Page VG1 allowed to teach in public schools if they seek full certification, she said. “Title I has the funds available at no expense to them.” Parental involvement is essential for improving schools. “If you service the entire family, you will service the child,” said Douglas. “Schools should have monthly parent meetings like Cesar Chavez does, with light refreshment.” She advocated partnering with businesses on such events. Lack of proper housing, Douglas said, is a problem that “exists all over the city for both
ALMQUIST From Page VG2 three-year provisional licenses. During this time they should be required to enroll in a full certification program, she said. Almquist said the school system is continually studying its IMPACT evaluation system to look for improvements, but overall, she supports the program. “IMPACT is doing its job, but we should listen to the union to see if we can negotiate some changes to produce a
win-win situation,” she said. “If the union will not come to a reasonable agreement, we should keep it.” She noted, however, that teachers’ evaluations shouldn’t be so dependent on test outcomes. “In grades where students take the District’s comprehensive assessment tests, 50 percent of a teacher’s effectiveness scores are based on test outcomes,” she said. “It should be much lower, between 25 and 30 percent. Teachers should not be held so accountable for students who take these high-stakes tests, because other factors affect
ANDERSON From Page VG2 neled into buildings, she said, suggesting possible reductions in the school bus fleet as an example. She pointed to Coolidge High School as an example of an unwelcoming — and unsafe — school building. “The low attendance at Coolidge is being invited by poor facilities,” she said. Yet she said schools with declining populations should be closed only if there’s no way to turn them around.
MOSS From Page VG2 focus,” Moss said. “The fields of technology and medicine are advancing more than any other profession. Our students need to have the training and instruction to prepare them for these fields.” He suggested that D.C. coordinate with the National Science Foundation to “try to establish our standards in the sciences,” as well as create public/private partnerships with companies engaged in
the elderly and younger people, especially for those with disabilities.” To improve housing opportunities, the city needs to make better use of unused properties, she said. “We have all these vacant buildings. We need to utilize them.” She said she would encourage partnerships with other housing groups. “Get them to donate empty buildings as a tax write-off.” The city also needs to “see what services we could cut back to finance more housing,” she said. In terms of employment, Douglas said there’s a “hole” in the “First Source” agreement, which requires city contractors to hire D.C. residents for at least half their new
computer science. Moss said it would be “very tough” to compare the foreign language knowledge of D.C. students with those from other states. “There’s too wide an array of languages. … We have to ensure our children are skilled in English before they take written tests in foreign languages.” Given the city’s fiscal situation, he said, “we cannot afford to introduce expensive special programs.” The city should continue the program at Duke Ellington School for the Arts, “but must wait
QUIRK From Page VG2 council members to ensure that children most in need receive the wrap-around services to allow them to learn.” Quirk said all schools should be required to have a full-time social worker or school therapist. When students are unable to meet gradelevel standards, “we need to determine the why through social workers in the schools and school therapists,” he said. “The board should not be determining the evaluation standards for the social workers,” he said, but
employees for contract work. She said she needed to review it in more detail, but the agreement is “not a good” one and the city “needs to have someone in place to enforce” its provisions. She also called for more vocational education programs and on-the-job training. Besides community college workforce training, “we should use mentors to help” prepare residents for jobs, she said. Douglas believes welfare recipients should be required to take vocational training and literacy courses. She said job-training services must be available for ex-offenders, who should be monitored by probation officers to make sure they fulfill responsibilities.
scores that are not a result of the teacher’s ability to teach.” About school environment and safety, Almquist said violence has increased and truancy risen. “The school environment must be more conducive to learning,” she said. “We must have more engaging materials that promote learning.” School classrooms are becoming more diverse in terms of language, culture and sexual orientation, she said, and classes should respond to those differences. “There are curricula to teach students about tolerance. A student
“The idea of neighborhood schools is important,” but sometimes “combining schools can make sense if residents approve,” she said. “People move to areas based on the quality of the local schools. If you start closing a number of schools, people have every right to be concerned. They make a longtime commitment to a neighborhood.” Anderson also thinks that school buildings should provide social services and other resources such as hosting night courses for adults. She thinks the system isn’t doing enough to prepare students to hold jobs. “Not enough education is tied to tangible
circumstances.” Almquist, 31, was born in Malaysia and grew up in Pennsylvania, where she attended public schools. She has studied in Mexico, Spain, France and Australia. She majored in management and minored in Spanish, economics and the visual arts at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. She holds a master’s degree in teaching from American University and a master’s in special education from George Washington. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in
that graduates of D.C. schools “rather than just D.C. residents,” are favored, “as people can easily move their residency.” Anderson, 55, was born in South Carolina and spent part of her childhood outside of Denver. She came to Washington in 1973 to attend Howard University, where she majored as a pre-med student in human nutrition and biochemistry and received her degree magna cum laude. She served as an associate editor of The Journal of Negro Education, published by Howard, and as director of the Howard University Press, as well as the director of publications for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
disadvantaged communities. “I understand the requirements of the federal government and how to ensure that the public schools follow its guidelines,” he said. Moss, 40, is a fourth-generation Washingtonian who attended DeMatha Catholic High School. After graduating from North Carolina Central University, Moss worked for Dun & Bradstreet as a financial analyst. He later taught at Burrville Elementary School in D.C., which he attended as a child. He holds a Master of Education
advisory neighborhood commissions, parents … and the general public.” Quirk cited a need for community discussion to help people understand the connection between economic and educational success. “Better education will reduce our unemployment levels and help uplift our neighborhoods.” The message to families should “underscore the importance of college education,” he said, which would help “get our children more invested in their education early on.” Quirk advocates following the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) approach of displaying teachers’ college banners in classrooms.
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If ex-offenders in such a program “do not participate, return them to prison,” she said. “We should network with private programs and nonprofit organizations” to provide such opportunities, she said, adding that many businesses and churches already “have a lot of services available.” Douglas, 62, attended local public schools before attending the University of the District of Columbia, where she majored in elementary education and psychology. She is a director of Marshal Heights Community Development Organization, a member of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City and a board member of Sewall-Belmont House and Museum.
at Rutgers University committed suicide after two other students filmed him engaging in homosexual activity. His suicide could have been prevented if the other students had been taught to tolerate and respect diversity. We need more teacher- and student-training programs about diversity.” Almquist said a D.C. public school student with 10 unexcused absences gets an F. She advocates reducing that number to five unexcused absences, “although there should be flexibility for the principal and the teachers for extenuating
workforce and career success when students get out of school,” she said. “For those who don’t opt to pursue college, the schools need to provide sufficient avenues to prepare students to go directly into the workforce — not just for dead-end jobs, but so they can continue their training and education. … It’s a serious issue in this area.” She advocates programs within schools to help students see that their high school diploma is not an end-all to their education. She advocates establishing relationships with unions and various trade groups. Anderson said the school board should encourage the D.C. Council to alter its laws for giving preference on city contracts so
to introduce new ones,” he said. With federal “Race to the Top” funds committed to D.C., Moss said, “we have over $60 million from the federal government to implement education reform over the next four years.” The school board’s role will be “to have oversight” and ensure that use of the funding “is in compliance with the federal guidelines,” he said. Moss said he has extensive experience in this area; he currently oversees the community development funding for small business lending and other initiatives for
“as we begin to ascertain if it is something besides the educational system that is preventing learning, we can be sure children get the services they need.” He also advocates more encouragement of physical activity and nutritional education for students, and equality of sports facilities for both genders. “There is a role for the board to advise the chancellor and the public when physical fitness facilities or nutritional programs are inadequate or unequal by gender.” As for encouraging community participation in both public and charter schools, Quirk said, “the state board ought to play a prominent role.” Board members “should involve
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Administration degree from George Mason University and a law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. He attended Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business’ executive education program for minority business development. He has worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., where he designed and implemented training strategies; for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition; and for America Scores, a national afterschool program.
He also said the board can help “raise awareness by pointing out that the charter school system has grown exponentially in the past 14 years and now represents 38 percent of all District public school children.” That pace, he said “is unsustainable,” and many more people should know about it. Quirk, 33, was born in Wellesley, Mass., and attended public schools until he went to Villanova University near Philadelphia, majoring in Spanish language and literature as well as political science. He received his law degree at Catholic University and has lived in the District for 12 years.
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WEAVER From Page VG1 impression of a “‘pay-to-play’ system.� Weaver said the District “fails young people at every level.� He argued for stronger career programs for “kids who fall off the educational treadmill� and for an improved juvenile court system. He praised the administration of Mayor Adrian Fenty for “great efforts on education reform,� but criticized former Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee for poor commu-
BIDDLE From Page VG1 D.C. should be a place, he said, where all residents are competitive in the job market, businesses want to locate to access a talented employee pool, and residents want to raise their families because of strong schools. He said the city should view career training and business development as a joined goal. “We must integrate economic development policy with workforce development to simultaneously attract industries while preparing residents with needed skills.� A fundamental “piece of the employment puzzle,� he said, is to create a workforce of “skilled residents who get to work on time and get along with fellow workers.� Addressing the city’s budget deficit, Biddle said he opposes tax increases. “If we raise taxes, we won’t make the savings that will really solve the problem.� He said D.C. needs to trim 10 percent of its operating budget, not including debt service. “We must ask government employees to do more with less and consolidate
nication skills. “The ultimate goal is to close the achievement gap between black/Latino students and white and Asian students,� he said, and the answer is putting “the best teachers in the poorest or underachieving schools.� Weaver favors temporarily increasing tax rates for some income levels. The top personal income tax, now 8.5 percent, could rise to “perhaps 8.75 percent� for those making more than $150,000; 9 percent for more than $350,000; and 9.5 percent for over $1.5 million. The change should be only temporary, he said, so affected residents would be
functions and even agencies.� For economic improvement, spending priority should focus on solving problems rather than just treating them, he said. “Failing to support a family struggling to care for a child at a cost of $15,000 annually can result in children going into foster care at a cost of $46,000 annually.� There are about 2,000 children in the city’s foster care system. “If we could reduce that number by 10 percent, we would save about $6 million.� Biddle suggested increasing special-education resources in D.C. to save funds that are now going outside the city. He also said he would give serious consideration to merging underenrolled high schools, such as Ward 4’s Roosevelt and Coolidge, which are in “terrible physical condition.� Biddle, 39, grew up in Columbia Heights and attended D.C. public schools. He earned a business administration degree from Morehouse College and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Georgia State University. He taught school in the Bronx, Atlanta and D.C. He also worked for Teach for America.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
unlikely to relocate their legal residences to states with no income tax. Welfare spending should be “reduced after five years and eliminated after eightâ€? except under “special circumstances.â€? The city could cut costs by closing a $20 million to $30 million corporate tax loophole, said Weaver. He said “national companies charge local stores for their names, thereby shifting profits ‌ to Delaware, which has no corporate profits tax.â€? He said D.C. spends “too much on capital programs, even though they might be wonderful.â€? For example, Roosevelt and Cardozo
high schools both need renovations, but it’s important to keep in mind that “the schools’ population has dwindled dramatically.� Meanwhile, he said, there’s a need for stronger penalties for firms that fail to fulfill their contracts with the city. Weaver, 40, came to the District two decades ago from Oregon to attend Howard University, where he majored in political science. He previously worked as an organizer for the Service Employees International Union. Weaver ran against incumbent Jim Graham last year for the Ward 1 council seat.
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VG5
VG6
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
THE CURRENT VOTERS GUIDE
AT-LARGE D.C. COUNCIL
Sekou Biddle
Dorothy Douglas
Joshua Lopez
Patrick Mara
Vincent Orange
Bryan Weaver
What are three areas you would concentrate on most if you are elected?
Education, employment and the budget.
Education, housing and employment.
Education, public safety and government accountability.
,K\JH[PVU ÄZJHS responsibility and congressional relations.
Financial responsibility; education reform; and government fraud, waste and abuse.
Open government, youth issues and city solvency.
Should D.C. increase taxes for incomes over $250,000? $500,000? $1 million?
No.
Can’t make a sound decision until I see all the facts.
Temporarily, 1 percent for over $200,000.
No.
No.
Yes, gradually, but for $150,000, $350,000 and $1.5 million incomes. Any increases must be sunsetted.
The mayor and council face a $322 million budget problem preparing [OL ÄZJHS `LHY budget. What areas, if any, would you look at for cuts? What taxes, if any, should be increased?
Reorganize government around functions rather than agencies to save $30 million to $40 million. Recruit D.C. foster-care providers to reduce school busing and “out-ofstate” education costs. Cut council budget. Reduce salaries and introduce furloughs for high-salary employees. Have residents do leaf collection. Reduce tax abatements that get businesses to locate here. Combine public works, transportation and environment departments. Combine deputy mayor for education, state superintendent and ZJOVVS MHJPSP[PLZ VMÄJLZ Oppose tax increases.
No concrete feelings. Want to see all evidence before deciding.
Percentage cuts for all government agencies, progressive tax increases with a sunset clause (1 percent on individual income over $200,000), eliminate corporate tax loopholes.
Across-the-board cut of at least 3 percent. We should consider furloughs, layoffs and other reductions of District workforce. No tax increases.
No tax increases, but can get up to $347 million from Medicaid reimbursement; sell our portfolio of real estate tax liens for up to $100 million; lease excess JHWHJP[` VM V\Y ÄILY optic communications system to federal government for up to $50 million; beef up outstanding individual sales and real estate tax collections. Look for cuts in procurement for cars, trucks, travel expenditures, publications.
Scale back capital projects such as Cardozo High, which has under 1,000 students due to poor academics; introduce employee furloughs; try to save Unity Medical Center (formerly Southeast Hospital), but we can’t afford the losses. Overhaul entire tax code for individuals by creating new levels at $150,000, $350,000 and $1.5 million, but have the increases sunsetted. Consider closing loophole for tax-exempt bonds from other jurisdictions. Raise $20 million by forcing national corporations to pay WYVWLY ZOHYL VM WYVÄ[Z taxes to District as do most states.
Should the city dip further into its reserve funds, as it has for the last four years?
No. I would vote against it. Most funds are obligated.
No. It is not an emergency.
Only if there is no other option.
No.
No.
Only to save job training and low-barrier family shelters, but we must preserve 90 percent of our reserves.
Tax receipts went up from the very wealthy after we cut our rates to below Maryland’s. Would higher income taxes for the wealthy mean less revenue, HZ HMÅ\LU[ LTW[` nesters might be less likely to live in D.C.?
We don’t want to take the risk.
It has happened.
No.
Yes. Numerous people I have spoken with have moved to Florida and Virginia.
Uncertain, as there are other factors, such as empty nesters not wanting [YHMÄJ ;OL` ^HU[ public transportation, restaurants and theaters.
We probably would lose some, but studies ZOV^ YPJO ÅPNO[ KVLZ not occur to levels often stated.
If there have to be tax increases, would you increase residential property taxes?
If there must be an increase, which I doubt, we should exempt people over 65.
No.
No. Look just at spending.
No.
No.
Only at a very, very slight level. It would be a burden for working families.
What, if any, should be D.C.’s three top priorities in terms of new spending, once we can afford it?
Transportation infrastructure, education from birth, workforce development.
Education, housing and employment.
Public schools, transportation and public works.
Education, education and education.
Education, infrastructure needs, cleaning up the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
High-quality teachers, WVSPJL HUK ÄYLÄNO[LYZ safety net including career-path training and homeless shelters.
What, if any, should be the three top priorities for reductions in spending, given the enormous budget crunch we face in the JVTPUN ÄZJHS `LHY&
Deputy mayor for economic development VMÄJL Z[HMM HZ WYVQLJ[Z have already been reduced; employees earning over $100,000; look at buying vehicles or using Zipcars instead of leasing.
Cannot answer until I see detailed budget ÄN\YLZ
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, police.
It should be across the board affecting everything.
We can generate adequate revenue to balance the budget without increasing taxes or cutting major services.
Streamline Department of Transportation, delay capital projects and locate more juvenile offenders here to lower costs.
THE CURRENT VOTERS GUIDE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
VG7
AT-LARGE D.C. COUNCIL
Sekou Biddle
Dorothy Douglas
Joshua Lopez
Patrick Mara
Vincent Orange
Bryan Weaver
Should D.C. offer tax incentives such as [H_ PUJYLTLU[ ÄUHUJing for super-luxury rental and condominium apartments in Georgetown and downtown to attract more high-income empty nesters?
No.
It could well be helpful, but others should get them, too.
No.
It should be considered.
No.
Only if there is a report of its effect on the city and if developers lose it if they fail to meet the threshold for local hiring.
Should developers get tax incentives to bring high-end stores into D.C. (as is done in Tysons Corner as well as in Maryland just across the District line)? If so, what incentives?
No. It’s hard to justify when other communities don’t have the basics.
Yes. It would bring us more revenue.
No.
Yes. It should be considered, but it would take at least two years to get any sales tax revenue.
No. We don’t need to do it to attract retailers, due to our high disposable income.
We could consider property tax breaks for those agreeing to hire District residents.
Given that department stores normally do not pay rent when they anchor shopping centers, should D.C. give tax incentives to “anchor-tenant” retailers?
Not unless it is to attract a tenant into a community without much retail.
It would be helpful.
No.
Yes, if the community wants it.
No. We don’t need incentives.
Yes. Target has brought other retailers to Columbia Heights.
Should the city oppose or encourage Walmart’s efforts to locate here?
Neither. Opposing it would set a terrible message about our openness to businesses.
Encourage.
Encourage.
Encourage but also work to help small independent businesses. Walmart would provide unskilled jobs for many unemployed, and the sales tax revenue would be enormous
Encourage if Walmart signs an appropriate JVTT\UP[` ILULÄ[Z agreement.
Encourage, if they have a livable wage requirement, green buildings, and if health care for spouses includes same-sex couples.
What approaches, if any, should be taken to decrease the likelihood of lower-income, long-term D.C. residents from being forced from their homes because of increasing real estate values and taxes, or are current policies generally adequate?
Look at property tax caps for lowincome residents who have lived here at least 10 years. And consider unintended consequences for young people who inherit and live in homes their families have had a long time.
Current policies are adequate.
Unsure of details, but would be willing to explore programs MVY ZLUPVYZ VU Ä_LK incomes after speaking with experts.
Unfortunately, due to ÄZJHS WYVISLTZ ^L cannot afford to do much.
Generally speaking, they are adequate, but when economy recovers, we should consider increasing homestead exemption for everyone.
We need to look after seniors who’ve lived in the District for say 30 years and for individuals gainfully employed in lower-paying, stable jobs.
D.C.’s commercial real estate and corporate business taxes are by far the area’s highest. In future years, should D.C. reduce them? If yes, how?
Yes, but not now. Lower tax rates for smaller businesses.
Yes. The higher taxes push them out.
No.
Eventually, yes, but we’re $300 million away from being able to do anything.
No. There need not be a major effort. We should have a comprehensive study of our revenue sources and then balance the tax burden.
@LZ LZWLJPHSS` MVY ÄYTZ hiring District residents and for locally owned businesses. Landlords should be forced to pass on any tax breaks.
Should the sales tax include services such as gym memberships?
No.
No.
Yes.
No.
5V [V ÄNO[ VILZP[`
It should and does include sodas, but I oppose an extra “sin tax.” Oppose gym membership sales tax.
Do you support D.C.’s plan for creation of an extensive streetcar network over the next 20 years in areas other than the H Street corridor, where construction is already under way?
Yes. Streetcars are the catalyst for economic development.
Yes, with increased population, we need them.
Yes.
Yes. We must connect east of the river to H Street.
>L ZOV\SK ÄUPZO ^OH[ PZ in progress, and delay the rest until economy is better.
Yes, but only in areas where the streets are being worked on for other purposes and work can be done economically.
VG8
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
THE CURRENT VOTERS GUIDE
AT-LARGE D.C. COUNCIL
Sekou Biddle
Dorothy Douglas
Joshua Lopez
Patrick Mara
Vincent Orange
Bryan Weaver
Is the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services overall doing a good job? If not, what should the council do?
I have not made a thorough evaluation of the department. We don’t have the capacity to supervise young violent offenders.
Management is really the issue. We should look at other programs that would help that department.
It has improved dramatically over the past decade. The council should continue tough oversight and look at best practices elsewhere.
Most teenage juveniles charged with violent crimes with a gun should be charged as adults.
No, it is not. Judges should determine whether a convicted offender is returned to the community or placed under JVUÄULTLU[
The New Beginnings facility in Prince George’s is working well. It should have many more than 60 beds, as many serious offenders are put in neighborhood group homes with limited supervision and services.
How can the youth administration resolve any JVUÅPJ[Z [OH[ HYPZL between protecting public safety and rehabilitating young offenders? Which is more important?
Public safety must JVTL ÄYZ[ 4\Z[ expand more heavily supervised housing for them rather than putting dangerous youth in the neighborhoods. Also, we need a facility for dangerous female youth offenders.
Use partnership with other organizations that offer public services.
;OL VUS` JVUÅPJ[ 0 ZLL PZ transparency.
Must ensure wraparound services, and especially workforce development and education programs. Public safety is more important.
Community safety is more important. The agency should design its rehabilitation program in a manner that ensures public safety while addressing inmate’s needs.
For violent offenders 16 and older, there must be blended sentence, a longer incarceration or probation term for over age 18. Less violent offenders should receive mental-health services, career path training and counseling.
Should penalties for crimes by juveniles be substantially increased?
Uncertain.
No. They need other services.
It depends on the offense.
Yes, if the crime is with a gun.
No. The laws are adequate. They need to be imposed.
For murders and very violent assaults, yes; for less violent offenses, more oversight.
Should juveniles who commit felonies be treated as adults in most cases?
No. We need to correct their lives.
No.
It depends on the offense.
It depends on their age.
Yes.
It should be a case-bycase issue.
What steps should be taken to improve education?
The key is differentiation. If students need mental-health services or more hours in the classroom, they should get them. We must be competitive with the best schools, public and private. We need more great teachers, engaged parents.
.L[ X\HSPÄLK [LHJOLYZ partnerships with businesses for vocational training.
Continue reform efforts started under former Chancellor Michelle Rhee.
Bring special-education programs into the District, have magnet schools, more arts and music, more afterschool activities.
Continue investment in early childhood education and vocational training.
.L[ TVZ[ X\HSPÄLK teachers to work in lowest-performing schools by offering supplemental salaries.
Some educators say that per-pupil spending in areas where there is a great deal of poverty ought to be higher than in areas where students come from welleducated families. Do you agree?
Yes, and it should be differentiated within the District by need.
No, it should be equal across the board.
Yes.
It should be considered.
Yes.
Probably yes, as we are taking on responsibilities that TVYL HMÅ\LU[ MHTPSPLZ do at home.
What line items, if any, should be reduced, deleted or added to the school budget?
Right now we can’t afford additions. Can reduce specialeducation costs by providing services ourselves.
I would have to review the budget to decide.
Provide more specialeducation resources in the city. Add only based on chancellor recommendations. Would increase bilingual education.
Reduce special-education transportation, look at special-education private placements and build up the District’s in-house capacity for special education that would produce future savings.
3VVR H[ JLU[YHS VMÄJL to ensure salaries are in line with national averages.
While fabulous buildings are helpful, great teachers are far more important to academic success.
Should there be funding for prekindergarten for very young children shortly after birth?
Yes, but we can’t now afford it.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes, for kids 3 and older, but it really doesn’t differ from structured child care for younger kids.
Would D.C.’s perpupil public school spending be adequate if it were properly managed?
I believe it would.
0 ^V\SK ÄYZ[ OH]L [V study the budget.
Yes, overall.
Yes, but improving schools is a complex problem.
Generally, yes.
Yes. The programs must be more focused and streamlined.
THE CURRENT VOTERS GUIDE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
VG9
AT-LARGE D.C. COUNCIL
Sekou Biddle
Dorothy Douglas
Joshua Lopez
Patrick Mara
Vincent Orange
Bryan Weaver
Should funds above the regular per-pupil spending be allocated to vocational education and to magnet programs such as the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and School Without Walls due to their additional costs?
Yes, but we should use facilities where appropriate for adults in the evenings.
No, it should be equal.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes, if we have adequate revenue available.
We should look for partnerships, but it’s worth it for more taxpayer money to be spent on successful special schools.
Do you favor establishing a math/science magnet school aiming to send graduates to colleges like the Massachusetts and California institutes of technology, even if it means a higher cost per student than in other public schools?
Yes.
Not if it results in higher costs.
Yes.
Absolutely, yes.
No, we cannot afford it. It would be great if we could. We should evaluate how many Z[\KLU[Z ^V\SK ILULÄ[
Yes, but it requires partnerships with places like the National Institutes of Health similar to what Maryland’s Montgomery Blair High School does.
Do you favor increases in the school budget to allow gifted and talented programs for our brightest students? If yes, should the goal be to offer them an education equal to that of the District’s best private schools?
We can’t afford any increases right now. But we should offer an education for all of our students equal to that of the best private schools.
As long as spending is equal for everybody.
It’s worth exploring.
Yes.
We could not afford it now. But the longterm goal is to help all children perform at their highest level.
Yes, but the issue is how do we get kids to that academic level. It would be a draw for people who would otherwise leave the District due to the schools.
Charter school advocates say the city has violated the law givPUN [OLT ÄYZ[ JYHJR at closed school buildings. What, if anything, would you do about it?
The D.C. Council should not approve the sale of buildings if they were not made available to charter schools unless the proceeds are made available to support a charter school.
I’m not sure that is the case now. It was under Fenty. I would have to see what the new administration does.
We should determine their use based on what is most needed by the city and the immediate community.
,UZ\YL [OL` OH]L ÄYZ[ crack at all closed school buildings.
They should have YPNO[ VM ÄYZ[ YLM\ZHS VU all unutilized school buildings, unless the real estate is exceptionally valuable.
;OL` ZOV\SK OH]L ÄYZ[ crack at all school buildings, except in truly exceptional circumstances.
Charter school advocates also say that charter schools do not receive as much per pupil as the public school system does, as most charter schools have to fund their own buildings. Do you agree? If so, what should be done about it?
They are given roughly equal operating dollars. 0[»Z KPMÄJ\S[ [V TLHZ\YL facility costs to make them equal. The chief ÄUHUJPHS VMÄJLY OHZ been working on a method of measuring them.
They receive the same amount of per-pupil funds as the public schools.
Generally, they do receive fair funding.
They should receive equal funding as is required by law.
I don’t agree. Charter schools don’t have [V ÄUHUJL [OL JLU[YHS VMÄJL HZ YLN\SHY W\ISPJ schools do.
It’s true, but they can raise money from private sources. The goal should be for a near-equal footing, but realistically it would be KPMÄJ\S[ [V OH]L [OLT H[ the same level.
The D.C. auditor claims the city has not been enforcing requirements that city contractors hire local residents. Do you agree? What if anything should be done about it?
I agree. We should withhold payments to noncomplying contractors and not give them future contracts.
I agree. Ensure we have H ZVSPK ¸ÄYZ[ ZV\YJL¹ agreement. Fine contractors if they do not follow the rules.
0 HNYLL 0TWVZL ÄULZ VU businesses that do not follow the rules.
We need more appropriate workforce development programs.
I agree. The council should hold oversight hearings requiring developers to prove compliance at least annually.
I agree. Incentives for tax breaks must IL JHUJLSLK MVY ÄYTZ that do not meet the standards.
Is the present level of enforcement for quality-of-life offenses generally adequate, too heavyhanded or not tough enough?
Don’t know.
Not tough enough. We need to use our parking ticket writers for such offenses.
Not tough enough, especially for noise complaints.
Not tough enough. We should look at PUJYLHZPUN ÄULZ
Not tough enough.
It’s a mixed bag.
VG10 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
THE CURRENT VOTERS GUIDE
AT-LARGE D.C. COUNCIL
Sekou Biddle
Dorothy Douglas
Joshua Lopez
Patrick Mara
Vincent Orange
Bryan Weaver
Should police be able to write tickets with SHYNL ÄULZ MVY \UKLYage drinking and for quality-of-life offenses so they don’t have to take time to book the accused?
Not for underage drinking; would consider it for qualityof-life offenses.
First offense should be a ticket, later ones should require being booked.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Absolutely.
Should D.C. turn over citizenship information to U.S. PTTPNYH[PVU VMÄJPHSZ when suspects are arrested? When they are convicted? Just when convicted of a violent crime? Or not at all?
+LÄUP[LS` PM JVU]PJ[LK of a violent crime; probably for most felonies.
At the time of arrest.
Just when convicted of a violent crime.
Just if convicted of a violent crime. We must comply with any federal laws.
Not at all.
If convicted of a violent crime.
How would you get better enforcement of laws on jaywalking, bicycle riders ignoring moving vehicle laws, and drivers ignoring yield signs, using cellphones and blocking the box?
0UJYLHZL [OL ÄULZ HUK penalties to fund the enforcement effort.
Let ticket writers issue tickets, use more cameras.
Push police to enforce and actually follow these laws themselves.
It’s worth examining, but not if it would take police resources away from more serious problems.
Engage the chief and ask her to focus on them.
Bicycle and jaywalking need show-of-force enforcement. Cellphone offenders need more enforcement. Use meter maids for blocking the box and for yield offenders.
Do you think we have an adequate number VM WVSPJL VMÄJLYZ VU the force?
Uncertain, but some communities have serious problems. It may be the way we deploy them.
No.
Yes.
Yes, for the time being.
Yes, assuming we are at full strength.
We must keep our current numbers by YLWSHJPUN YL[PYPUN VMÄJLYZ more aggressively.
Do you support raisPUN ÄULZ [V MVY drivers and cyclists who do not yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks?
Yes.
No.
Yes.
Uncertain, but it deserves study
No.
Yes.
:OV\SK [OL ÄULZ MVY bicycle riders who ]PVSH[L [YHMÄJ SH^Z be substantially increased?
Yes.
Yes.
No.
Not at this time.
No.
Yes, up from $5.
Should adult bicycle riders be allowed on sidewalks?
No. We need to encourage them to use our bike lanes.
Yes.
No.
Not in high-density population areas. It’s dangerous.
No.
Not in high-density areas or where there are bike lanes.
Should allowable noise levels be reduced throughout the city for groups who chant or for speakers who use microphones?
Probably not. It’s not now a major issue.
No, unless it affects residents.
No. It should depend on the location.
Uncertain, but it should be considered.
No. The current law is adequate.
Only in strictly residential neighborhoods.
Is the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board generally too friendly to licensees, or to local residents, or is there a proper balance?
Uncertain.
Uncertain.
A proper balance.
It varies with the issue.
Proper balance.
0[ LIIZ HUK ÅV^Z" UV^ it’s more industryfriendly.
Should it be very difÄJ\S[ MVY HSJVOVSPJ beverage licensees to end voluntary agreements with advisory neighborhood commissions?
Yes.
Yes.
It should depend on the establishment’s history.
No.
Yes
Yes.
THE CURRENT VOTERS GUIDE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011 VG11
AT-LARGE D.C. COUNCIL
Sekou Biddle
Dorothy Douglas
Joshua Lopez
Patrick Mara
Vincent Orange
Bryan Weaver
How should the D.C. Council reduce the JVUÅPJ[Z IL[^LLU universities and their neighbors over 10year campus plans?
Foster more dialogue. Am uncertain the goal should be to decrease [OL HTV\U[ VM JVUÅPJ[
Council members should meet with the community.
Limit the universities’ ability to increase enrollment if it negatively affects their neighbors.
I’d defer largely to the affected ward council member and advisory neighborhood commissions and work more closely with university administrations.
By being more engaged in the process and creating a dialogue with the parties.
In commercial areas, university-owned properties should be taxed at a higher rate if they are not properly used. In residential neighborhoods, any use changes should be subject to voluntary agreements.
Should the city force universities to offer more on-campus undergraduate student housing? If so, how?
No.
No. It should not be forced.
Yes.
No, but it should be strongly encouraged.
Yes, by penalties such as fees or zoning restrictions if they don’t.
We should offer them height and density bonuses in exchange for more undergraduate student housing.
Is the present open-meetings law adequate?
No. The law needs to specify what constitutes a meeting.
Yes.
No. The council has meetings behind closed doors.
No. All breakfast and budget sessions of the council should be open. We should also look at all the boards including advisory neighborhood commissions.
No. It doesn’t include the D.C. Council or advisory neighborhood commissions.
No. It should be expanded to every city board, including advisory neighborhood commissions.
Do you support an elected prosecuting attorney for the District? If yes, how should it be funded?
Yes, but not at this time. Unsure how to ÄUHUJL P[
Yes, if we can afford it, but I doubt we can.
No.
Yes. We should seek federal funding.
Expand powers of attorney general, subject to getting federal funds.
Yes, but only if we can get the federal government to commit to its current spending levels.
Should D.C. allow residents to set up self-taxing districts where residents agree to pay extra taxes to receive more services, like the business improvement districts in D.C. and in Maryland municipalities?
Yes. If people want to pay more for greater services, they should be able to.
No.
Yes. If the community wants it, they should be free to do it.
Not at this time. We are already taxed enough.
No. It would increase disparities between the haves and the havenots.
Yes, on a limited basis for say a special recycling program or WVSPJL VMÄJLY VMM K\[` overtime. Oppose independent police force.
Do you support making emergency medical services its own agency, independent of the ÄYL KLWHY[TLU[&
No. We need to reduce the number of agencies.
Yes.
No.
No, unless savings would be realized and services would not suffer.
We should evaluate it.
There has to be a connection as there are so ML^ L_JS\ZP]L ÄYLÄNO[ers. Most have been cross-trained. It could be quasi-independent.
Should Klingle Road be reopened?
Yes, but we cannot afford reopening it now.
Uncertain.
Yes.
No. Keep it closed.
Yes.
I’d rather see it as a ballot initiative for wards 1, 3 and 4. I would prefer it to be for bikes and walkers.
D.C. Council members receive among the highest salaries in the country. Should their salaries be reduced?
Yes, by about 10 percent.
Yes, on a temporary basis due to the budget crisis.
Yes, by about 15 percent.
Yes. It should set the example during these tough economic times.
No.
Yes. It would be great symbolically in today’s economic crisis.
Should the council become a full-time job, with a ban on legislators earning outside income?
No. It would restrict the talent available to join the council.
No.
Yes.
No, but I would not personally take another job with outside income.
No. The three most productive council members all have outside employment.
Absolutely yes.
In 20 words or less, explain why voters should elect you to the D.C. Council.
I’m the only candidate with eight years teaching experience and MVJ\ZPUN VU Ä_PUN [OL budget and connecting residents with jobs.
(Did not supply.)
I will be an honest council member ^OV ^PSS ÄNO[ [V continue educational reform and hold the new administration accountable.
I will primarily focus on reducing spending, continuing Rhee-like education reform and engaging congressional Republicans on District issues.
(Did not supply.)
If you believe in a more accountable, transparent government focusing on access to quality education and smarter progress, vote Weaver.
VG12 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
THE CURRENT VOTERS GUIDE
WARD 4 D.C. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
D. Kamili Anderson
An Almquist
Andrew Moss
Bill Quirk
What would be your three major areas of concentration if elected to the D.C. State Board of Education?
Higher academic achievement, teacher effectiveness and school environmental safety.
Teacher evaluation process, renovating and building facilities and improving workforce preparation.
Continuing educational reform, instituting core curriculum and implementation of “Race to the Top.”
Implementing standards, coordinating city educational services and encouraging community participation.
What do you consider to be the most important responsibilities of the D.C. State Board of Education?
Holding schools and state superintendent accountable, setting standards, getting adequate data to make decisions.
Thoroughly analyzing and responding to proposals and their relevance to Ward 4.
Rule-making function of school board and ensuring all schools throughout the city meet the same standards.
Drafting and implementing educational standards.
Charter schools must have the same performance standards, assessments and accountability as regular public schools. What should happen if they are not met?
They should be held accountable. We must see why a school might be failing. After a reasonable amount of time to improve, the charter should be pulled if standards aren’t met.
They should be called on the carpet. Board should recommend if charter school should have its charter pulled after having opportunity to improve.
They should be reviewed as to why they are not performing. If it’s mismanagement, we should consider pulling their charter. If it’s just teacher standards, we should look at their licensing.
They should be reviewed by the charter school board.
Are “common core” subject standards that are being developed with various other states a good idea?
Yes. It allows English and math to be measured across states.
Yes.
Yes. It helps ensure our graduates will not lag behind others when they attend out-of-state colleges.
Yes.
0U ^OH[ UL^ ÄLSKZ PM HU` should there be the common core standards?
None at this time.
IT and perhaps some other ZJPLUJL ÄLSKZ
IT, computer science and biology.
Sciences and foreign languages.
Should a foreign language be required for high school graduation? If so, what languages?
Yes. Spanish, French, Chinese, German and Latin.
Yes. It should be. Choice between Spanish, Chinese and Arabic.
Yes. Choice between Spanish, French, Chinese and German.
Yes. Spanish plus a large number of options; unsure of Latin.
The two years of a foreign language that are required now need not be consecutive. Should that change?
The years should be consecutive. The requirement should be three years with fourth available.
Yes, with a three-year minimum.
Yes. They should be consecutive. We should consider a third year.
Yes. They should be consecutive. Third year should be available.
For subject areas that do not come under national standards, should the board develop standards that match those of other states so we can compare results? If yes, which?
Foreign languages and science already have standards; developing new ones in these ÄLSKZ ^V\SK IL YLK\UKHU[
We should consider matching standards at least with Virginia and Maryland.
We should consider it at a later time, as the board has so much on its plate at present.
Yes, for both sciences and foreign languages.
Do you approve of the truancy standards we now have?
Currently, 10 unexcused absences equal an F and three tardies equal one absence. The unexcused number should be reduced to six.
No. There are counterproductive limitations on when a child may be picked up by the police and truanJ` VMÄJPHSZ HUK YL[\YULK [V ZJOVVS
Yes.
Yes, but we need better enforcement.
What should be the state board’s role in administering the Race to the Top funds?
Ensure they are allocated as originally proposed, e.g., adopting international benchmark standards for recruiting, retaining teachers.
Look at materials in an advisory role. The board is to provide scrutiny to see what is best for the city and for the wards.
I approve of the current system where it works with the state superintendent.
It depends on the new chancellor’s plans.
Are there areas for which you believe the state board should take over oversight?
Turning around lower-performing schools and ensuring Race to the Top funds are going to lowerachieving schools.
Not at this time. I support the idea of the board having just an advisory role.
5V ;OL IVHYK»Z YVSL PZ Z\MÄJPLU[ PU policy-making.
No.
What elements of the reform effort over the past three years should be continued, and what areas should be reworked?
Continue raising achievement for all students and focusing on special education, vocational education improvements, modernization efforts and raising teacher effectiveness. Communications to teachers need improvement.
Evaluation system for teachers should be continued with some YLÄULTLU[Z ;LHJOLYZ ZOV\SK continue to be rewarded for taking on areas of responsibility. In Ward 4, we need to improve the feeder school system.
The reform needs to be implemented more collaboratively. I’m concerned about implementation of teacher evaluation system IMPACT. I fear it will create a disparity in the system.
Devising educational standards has gone well, but not their implementation. We need it in earlier grades.
Should the board be YLZWVUZPISL MVY OPYPUN HUK ÄYPUN the state superintendent?
It should have input and the right of veto.
No. Backgrounds of elective VMÄJPHSZ ZVTL[PTLZ HYLU»[ adequate for that decision.
No, but we should have input. Our role should be limited to rulemaking.
No. It should remain with the mayor.
Are school board stipends at $15,000 adequate? Should they be zero?
It should be zero.
$15,000 is adequate. It should not be nothing, but the amount might be evaluated.
They are adequate.
They should be reduced, but not all the way to zero.
Should preparation by thirdparty groups (like Teach for America) continue to count toward certifying teachers?
I approve as long as the organizations can show they are OPNOS` X\HSPÄLK
Yes.
Yes. It is providing needed training.
Yes, as well as other organizations.
THE CURRENT VOTERS GUIDE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011 VG13
WARD 4 D.C. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
D. Kamili Anderson
An Almquist
Andrew Moss
Bill Quirk
Should private school teachers be allowed to teach in public schools even without having taken education coursework?
No. A private setting is very different. We need more expertise.
Yes, depending on their X\HSPĂ„JH[PVUZ
Yes, if they have good evaluations and are willing to go through the JLY[PĂ„JH[PVU WYVJLZZ
Yes, but they must go through JLY[PĂ„JH[PVU
(YL `V\ ZH[PZĂ„LK ^P[O [OL QVI Chancellor Michelle Rhee did? Should she have been encouraged to remain?
She meant well, initiated a lot of good programs and showed she cared for students. But her communication was not effective for teachers, union members, parents and some students.
Yes to both.
Her efforts were needed. However, reform must be collaborative and include all stakeholders. She was not collaborative. She should’ve been asked to remain only if she agreed to be more collaborative.
@LZ 0ÂťT ZH[PZĂ„LK I\[ ZOL ^HZ personally too divisive.
Does the school system place too much, too little or the right amount of emphasis on test scores in evaluating teachers?
Too much. You may get all A’s, but `V\ JHU Å\UR SPML
Too little.
Probably too much. We must also look at critical thinking and writing skills.
The right amount, but they should not be penalized for one bad year.
Should early education be available from shortly after birth?
If we have the resources. Research shows that from birth to 3 years is critical in learning and developing.
Yes, but am unsure if public schools should take it on.
Yes, as early as possible. It helps provide needed skills to be successful.
Yes.
Should there be vocational education standards written by the state board?
They are not needed as standards already exist we can adopt.
They should be developed with the board’s input and consensus, but the board might not be the group to originally develop them.
We should have vocational educational standards, but I am not certain they should be developed by the board.
It should be considered.
What can we do to strengthen math and science teaching in the middle grades?
Incorporate more hands-on SLHYUPUN HJ[P]P[PLZ! SHIZ HUK Ă„LSK trips to appropriate museums.
Introduce science and math as early as possible and continue consistently; increase number of courses and teachers; and have extracurricular activities. Offer math and science to help students on career paths.
We are still using old approaches. Today students need to know how math and science apply to everyday life rather than rote learning.
Ensure standards are enforced at younger ages prior to the middle grades.
In 20 words or less, explain why voters should elect you to the D.C. State Board of Education.
By reviewing my achievements, proven leadership, scholarly research and educational experience, I’m prepared to lead with substance, not just style.
Working in education has been my day job for 30 years at the national level. I have some experience.
A vote for Andrew Moss means a vote for experience, commitment and leadership. Let’s educate our children together.
I’ve been an advocate for District children for nearly a decade, the chair of my ANC and an expectant parent.
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