Beltway Area Indymedia

On Tuesday, May 22nd, at 441 4th St NW, the DC Board of Elections and Ethics ruled that the referendum measure proposed by DCPS grandmother, and graduate, Mary Spencer was proper subject matter to be considered for a referendum. Ms. Spencer's proposed referendum would suspend Titles I, IX and X of the DC Public Education 'Reform' Act of 2007 (Mayor Fenty's School Takeover Bill), which would stop the power hungry Mayor Fenty from taking away the powers of the elected Board of Education.

At the Tuesday morning hearing, after reviewing the opposing arguments put forth by both the Office of the DC Attorney General, and the DC City Council (by way of attorney Brian Flowers, general counsel for the DC City Council), the Board sought comment from any members of the public present to oppose the referendum measure. In a sign of the dynamics of the school takeover controversy, no members of the public were present to testify against the referendum. Only paid lawyers, who had already submitted written arguments, were there to oppose it.

Next, the Board sought comment from any members of the public who wished to testify in favor of the proposed referendum. Several long time DC residents and education activists, including Ms. Spencer herself, Marc Borbely (of Fix Our Schools), a board member of the DC Congress of PTAs, and a former ANC commissioner all testified about the importance of DC residents having a right to make decisions about their own governance structure, a right Mayor Adrian Fenty is seeking to take away. They also highlighted the hypocrisy of the Fenty administration, that, while at the same time condemning Robert Bobb for 'going to Congress' to put the takeover bill on hold, sought (and seeks) to circumvent DC residents by asking Congress directly to amend our Home Rule Charter (instead of through a referendum).

After hearing arguments from the public, the Board heard from pro bono attorney Matthew Watson, former DC Auditor, and former general counsel to the DC Board of Elections (in the '70's), on behalf of Ms. Spencer. Mr. Watson highlighted the many ways in which Mayor Fenty and the DC City Council sought to leave DC residents out of the democratic process, and went to explain why the proposed referendum was valid subject matter for a referendum.

After a brief recess, and several minor delays, as the Board continued to deliberate, the proposed referendum measure was finally approved, thanks to the hard work of Mr. Watson and Ms. Spencer.

Per DC law, a 10-day challenge period, in which members of the public can challenge the Board's decision, began after the measure was approved. Mayor Fenty, continuing to seek to deny community input, has already vowed to challenge the Board's decision. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Ms. Spencer and supporters of public education will be able to begin gathering signatures on, or about, June 4th. They will have about a week to gather the approximately 30000 signatures of registered DC voters necessary to put the referendum measure on the ballot. To help collect signatures, or for more information, please visit, www.letmevote.org.

Supporters of the referendum measure will be meeting tonight, Thursday, May 24, at the offices of DC ACORN, at 739 8th St. SE, from 6-730 PM to further coordinate signature gathering. All who are interested in helping out are welcome to attend.