Credibility Gap

The Growler was perusing Alexandrianews.org's site yesterday and discovered that two of the three representatives of School Board District A -- which includes our neighborhood -- are proposing to cut funding for all International Baccalaureate activities in ACPS, including the fledgling program to be initiated at Jefferson-Houston.

According to Alexandrianews.org, last Friday night Alexandria school board members submitted their adds and deletes to the FY 2013 budget, which will be finalized at a School Board hearing on Thursday, February 23.  Both School Board chairman Sheryl Gorsuch and member Mimi Carter have proposed deleting or "pausing" IB activities across the board in ACPS.  It appears from the article that their delete was submitted to balance their recommended budget add which would restore intersession funding for schools like Mt. Vernon Community School. 

Both Ms. Gorsuch and Ms. Carter are from Del Ray so Mt. Vernon is their backyard school, so to speak.  Alexandrianews.org implies that they are allied with District C's Ronnie Campbell and Blanche Maness, who are also concerned about intersession cuts at schools such as Samuel Tucker in the West End.  However, it was only Ms. Gorsuch and Ms. Carter who suggested the IB cuts to balance reinstatement of intersession funding.   

Many in this neighborhood have remained mildly skeptical that a change in curriculum at Jefferson-Houston would really be the academic salvation of the troubled school, which has not achieved AYP under No Child Left Behind since Rebecca Perry was Superintendent. 

But having allocated a whopping $40 million for a new Jefferson-Houston building, why would these School Board officials even consider slashing the one curriculum-related change that has at least pulled a few parents from the neighborhood (especially the Del Ray wedge section of the district) into the school again?

The actions of Ms. Gorsuch and Ms. Carter raise questions once more about what is the purpose of the new Jefferson-Houston School.  If they supported capital funding for a new building but are comfortable with having no viable curriculum alternative or even a real path for improvement for the worst performing elementary school in Alexandria, is Jefferson-Houston really being rebuilt to accommodate a coming enrollment tsunami? 

The Growler wonders if, instead, it is being built as a warehouse to remove "difficult" kids from George Washington Middle School so that school performance can rise and Del Ray can reclaim the historic school as their backyard junior high school.  Readers may remember that Cora Kelly School in Arlandria is also slated to have a PK-8 regime implemented in the future, complete with a new building.  Once book-ended like this on the north and south ends, dandy Del Ray will ultimately have a large contingent of the low-income minority children removed from GW.  That also serves the interests of the District B "Northridge" parents who are zoned to send their children there as well. 

If this is the case, then it's understandable that Ms. Gorsuch and Ms. Carter don't care about curriculum improvements that require further investment and consume resources that would otherwise available for their own school. 

Food for thought ...

The School Board must still act to approve the budget adds and deletes on Thursday, so nothing is a done deal yet.  But this latest development illustrates how the demure masks of concern for all Alexandria children worn by School Board members are slipping.  It also raises the question once again about whether anything we are told by ACPS and its elected officials on the topic of Jefferson-Houston can be trusted.

Besides what we were told about the transformative powers of a new IB curriculum, we were also told that much of Jefferson-Houston's problems stemmed from leadership turnover.  The implication was that this trend would cease under new Superintendent Morton Sherman. 

Then, after five years as Jefferson-Houston principal Kim Graves was suddenly transferred to the ACPS central office last summer and in December 2011 surfaced over at Minnie Howard.   

This was followed by the abrupt departure this month of Stephen Wilkins, the "CEO" of Jefferson-Houston, who wore multiple hats in his brief career at ACPS and is now history.  One may assume his appointment and his unique position were part of an attempt to change (or appear to change) the governance of the school, which conceivably could be considered a remediation measure under No Child Left Behind.  All that this churning seems to have done, though, is to create more doors that revolve faster than ever before at the school.

The community is currently in the midst of discussions about the new Jefferson-Houston school design, which will be some 50% bigger in square footage than the old school.  The building will be designed to accommodate over 700 students and we've been assured it will definitely fill up even though enrollment is currently only at 433, with most of the recent increase due to the addition of middle school classes. 

And if there is no curriculum change, and no gimmick left to give prospective parents enough hope to want to give this school a try, will the new Jefferson-Houston's capacity ever be utilized?  

Weekend Update

Jefferson-Houston Meeting Monday (February 6)

ACPS will hold another meeting to discuss design of the new Jefferson-Houston school on Monday, February 6 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the school's multipurpose room.

The burning question for the neighborhood is whether ACPS really believes that a scanty 15 minute at the last meeting and perhaps two hours at the upcoming meeting are sufficient to reach consensus on the design of a new and much bigger school in an established neighborhood.  

Second Arrest in Lenny Harris Case

The discovery of Lenny Harris's body in a Ft. Washington, Maryland well over the past weekend, months after his disappearance, has triggered a tide of arrests in the last few days.  Earlier this week, Linwood Johnson of Prince George's County was arrested on murder charges, and today we learn that a 20-year old, Ivan Newman of Waldorf, Maryland, has also been charged. 

Living the Small Life

The Growler recommends a new exhibition of African-American dollhouses at the Alexandria Black History Museum.  Longtime Parker-Gray resident Sharon Frazier and Linwood Smith constructed more than a dozen buildings and rooms – most inspired by real places in Alexandria – in miniature. This exhibition runs from February 9 through May 1.

The two artists, both lifetime residents of Alexandria, began working together on their collection in 1994, combining their talents and drawing on their memories of places and people in Alexandria. Mrs. Frazier, a retired registered nurse, developed skills in miniaturization while Mr. Smith, a retired automotive mechanic, used his skills as a craftsman to construct dollhouses to scale. They first exhibited at the Alexandria Black History Museum in 2008 and the Growler found the dollhouses utterly charming.

New models include include the Carver Nursery School (the former American Legion building), the Robert Robinson Library, and the Hayden Photography Studio. Several of the buildings from the earlier and very popular exhibition also return, including a barbershop and hair dressing salon, a medical building, an attorney’s office, and a florist, all patterned after actual businesses in the Parker-Gray community.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, February 9, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and guests will have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Frazier and Mr. Smith. The reception is free and open to all. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by calling 703.746.4356.  The Alexandria Black History Museum is located at 902 Wythe Street. 

Friday News Bombs

We live in interesting times, readers. Take a look at some of the breaking news from the last few days ...

Reorganization

On January 23, the board of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA)  elected a new chairman and vice chairman.  Derek Hyra will serve as the new chairman, replacing Melvin Miller who has served since 2000, while Merrick Malone will fill the vice chairman's spot. 

Recovery

Alexandria police were called yesterday to an abandoned home in Ft. Washington, Maryland as Prince George's County law enforcement officials investigated a tip about a body found in a well.

According broadcast news reports, it will take some time for local police to shore up the well, which is sited in a remote location, so the body can be retrieved and identified.

News reports and the presence of the Alexandria police suggest that these might be the remains of missing activist Lenny Harris, whose car was found last year in PG County after his disappearance.

Revolving Door

Alexandria City Public Schools announced yesterday that Jefferson-Houston Chief Executive Officer Stephen Wilkins will be leaving soon to take another job.

Mr. Wilkins, who wore multiples hats at ACPS -- including Transformation Officer for T.C. Williams High School and Project Director for the Total Compensation Review -- will serve as Chief Operating Officer at the DeKalb County, Georgia school district.

Curious how ACPS officials blamed constantly reshuffling leadership at Jefferson-Houston for the school's academic woes under former Superintendent Rebecca Perry but have the same turnover problem on their hands now. Readers will remember that former J-H principal Kimberly Graves also departed last year, taking a post in the ACPS central office.

Recriminations

ACPS Chief Financial Officer Jean Sina announced his resignation at Tuesday's School Board meeting, telling them he had accepted a position with the City of Alexandria to help implement an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

However, Mr. Sina then sent ACPS staffers a letter informing them of his departure due to health issues which he blamed on an allegedly hostile work environment and issues with his supervisor, Deputy Superintendent Margaret Byess.

The Growler has no idea what to make of this. Could Mr. Sina's departure have anything to do with recent reports about lax controls over ACPS capital expenditure processes which have already cost two unnamed ACPS employees their positions? And is it ever a good idea to blast your former boss publicly as you are walking out the door?

The Alexandrianews.org article reports that the City is now reconsidering its job offer.

The Other 2012 Race

For the first time in decades, Alexandrians will go to the polls in  November — rather than May  — to vote for the Mayor and City Council.  Many suspect that the Council changed the election date to coincide with the Presidential race to ensure better (or perhaps more partisan) voter turnout. 

This fall's local elections promise to be rather more interesting than usual.  In 2009, the big news was the Republican Party's promotion of a "plunking" strategy.  This technique, which involved casting votes only for the alternative candidates, successfully broke up the complete Democratic hegemony on Council by bringing in Republican Frank Fannon and independent candidate Alicia Hughes.  (As a then-federal employee Ms. Hughes could not affiliate with a party due to the provisions of the Hatch Act.)

Last year Democratic Councilman Rob Krupicka announced this was his last term, regardless of whether he won the State Senate race or not. (He didn't, and lost to Adam Ebbin.)

Not surprisingly, former Democratic Council members Tim Lovain and Justin Wilson, who were ousted by the newcomers in 2009, announced they were tossing their hats in the ring for 2012. Originally they seemed to be hoping they could fill Mr. Krupicka's chair and perhaps knock off Ms. Hughes if not Mr. Fannon, whose popularity and long-time family ties to old Alexandria give him an advantage. 

However, just last week the challengers were handed another opportunity when Democratic Vice Mayor (and former Mayor) Kerry Donley announced he will not seek another term. 

Will it be a shoe-in for Mr. Lovain and Mr. Wilson?  Some around town are questioning Mr. Lovain's increasingly vocal calls for streetcars and the high-density development that they will bring in their wake.  Is this the key to winning hearts and minds in 2012?  As the Growler pointed out after the 2009 election, former Del Ray Citizens Association president Mr. Wilson rather surprisingly did not do as well in his home precincts as either Mr. Donley or Mr. Krupicka.  With those contenders removed, will he sweep his own neighborhood and others as well?

Other rumored Democratic candidates include Boyd Walker and Planning Commissioner Donna Fossum, who would undoubtedly hope to capitalize on the West End's dissatisfaction with BRAC, the handling of the Norfolk Southern ethanol issue and underinvestment in general.  Newcomers Sean Holihan and Charles Sumpter are also weighing in from the West End.  Both are 30 years of age or younger. 

No word yet on one intriguing possibility, which is that former Police Chief David Baker will put his name into contention.  Mr. Baker attended the Democratic candidate school, but has not confirmed that he will run.  Former School Board chairman Arthur Peabody is also rumored to be considering putting himself into the race.

Longtime Council member Del Pepper is seeking election to yet another term, as is Paul Smedberg. After 27 years on Council, many — including some in Democratic circles — privately question whether the 75-year old Ms. Pepper should retire. But only Republican contender Gordon has suggested in print that it was advisable.

In another departure from the past, the Democrats will determine their candidates at a June primary, rather than a caucus. 

On the Republican side, former Del Ray Citizens Association board member Scott Gordon has declared he is running.    No word on whether former GOP candidate Phil Cefaratti will run again.  Can we also expect that Alicia Hughes will formally align with the GOP, now that she has left the federal U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is no longer subject to the Hatch Act?It seems unlikely whether anyone will challenge incumbent Mayor William D. Euille. However, it's been rumored that former Democratic Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald may run against Mr. Euille, probably as an independent. In the last year, Mr. Macdonald has focused almost exclusively on fighting the City's controversial waterfront plan; is this enough to give him broad support across Alexandria and lead him to success?  Now that the Council on Saturday approved the waterfront plan, will this give Mr. Macdonald the impetus to finally announce?

So readers, what are your thoughts about the upcoming primary and elections? 

Monday, Monday

The Sounds of Silence

Readers who want to learn more about the troubled history of our perennially underperforming Jefferson-Houston School will want to read a new Old Town Crier column by local historian and resident Sarah Becker.  It sheds new light on Alexandria's segregationist past -- a subject frequently covered up and dismissed in fashionable circles but which informs every decision within the City, especially those relating to the schools. 

More Sounds of Silence

Alexandria City Public Schools will be holding a "community meeting" tonight from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in Jefferson-Houston's multi-purpose room to discuss the latest developments with the new K-8 building. 

However, it's now 4.5 hours before the meeting and neither the Growler nor the other West Old Town Citizens Association representative who sit on the "communications" committee for the new school have received an E-mail with links to key documents just posted to the ACPS Web site. 

But others have.  Word has come to the Growler that through non-official means School Board Vice Chair and new school advocate Helen Morris sent the Upper King Street Neighborhood Association a reminder over the weekend and an update again this morning.   

Given this fact, just what is ACPS's definition of "community"? 

The Rest is Silence

As readers may know, ACPS is "investigating" unnamed employees who made transfers of funds between capital improvement accounts without notifying the School Board or City Council, which must authorize these transfers.  No word yet on who was involved or how many highers-ups had knowledge. 

Linkage

Commonwealth Attorney Randy Sengel recently provided the Growler with a copy of a Washington Post article that discusses the growth in suburban crime and offers some surprising insights into the relationship between crime and density.

It may pique readers' interest as well.

For Sale: One "Shrine"

While browsing the City's Web site last week, the Growler almost fell out of the big comfy bear chair.

On the Planning & Zoning historic preservation site is a photograph of the old American Legion Building at 224 N. Fayette Street and an announcement that it is for sale for a mere $675,000. The property does not belong to the City; instead, it was purchased more than two years ago by local developer William Cromley, who proposed razing it. 

Though Mr. Cromley gained the Council's support for tearing down the American Legion building -- whose dwindling band of brothers let the place earn a notorious reputation as a violence-prone booze hall before they lost it in a foreclosure -- a lawsuit filed in Alexandria Circuit Court by Boyd Walker has brought his plans to a temporary halt. Instead, Mr. Cromley must wait two years (starting from March 2011) to see if a buyer will emerge who is willing to purchase the building at the stipulated price and preserve it.

City staff has gone overboard and the arrogance shows.  Readers should click on this link and read the City's flyer regarding the property's allowable uses.  Among the alternative uses:  (1) a convenience store; or (2) a grocery store.

We all know what the latter means:  an unregulated market, a by-right use, authorized by staff under the pretense that it is an okay contrivance.  Within a few weeks, the grocery or market's display of the five food groups, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, will disappear.  Meanwhile, the boozery begins operation in earnest.

P&Z staff will bat their not so delicate eyelashes and claim the City has no other choice.  After all, the building is historic and any use that saves it is justified.