Proposed changes to school attendance zones in Washington, D.C., have parents and politicians alike urging district leaders to focus on improving schools instead.
The Washington Post reports that critics, which included some District of Columbia Council members and dozens of parents, voiced their disapproval of the proposal to redraw attendance lines during a six-hour hearing Thursday.
While some called for further study of the District of Columbia Public Schools plan, others asked for delays to give struggling schools more time to improve before increasing their enrollment. With 44 percent of its students attending charter schools, the district also was urged to consider how to include charters in the proposed boundary changes.
Still others pointed to the city’s changing political landscape as cause for delay. According to the story, Democratic Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s term ends in January, which would leave the implementation of his boundary plan to his successor. Gray is expected to release a boundary plan in September.
Deputy Mayor for Education Abigail Smith told the Post that the city cannot wait to fix a system left “irrational and inefficient” by years of school closings and demographic shifts.