Well, we here in DC may not have our trash picked up or even the ability to walk one block without traversing icebergs, but never fear! Performance oversight season is upon us (in fact, it is so upon us that I entirely missed putting this blog post up early enough to note the public witness hearing for DGS, which was on January 29–many apologies but one can still submit testimony).

Here is a current roster:

February 9, 12:30 pm: PACE Act oversight and clarification. Technically, this is not a performance oversight hearing. That said, it is the only oversight that DCPS modernizations are having besides the DGS hearings. One of the subjects of this hearing is legislation to ensure that all school buildings, not just those that remain unmodernized, are part of the ranking for capital improvements. (One can hope that this will eventually include a shout-out to preserving swing space, something that DCPS has thus far been rather silent about.) 

Although sign up to testify live is now technically over (my bad again–many apologies), in past practice if one showed up at the Wilson Building during the hearing and/or pleaded with committee of the whole staff to testify virtually, one could be admitted to testify live. (If it helps, blame this author’s lateness.)

February 18, 9:30 am: DCPS and DC charter board public witnesses

February 19, 9:30 am: DCPS government witnesses

February 25, 9:30 am: Charter board government witnesses plus state board of education and deputy mayor for education

March 4, 9:30 am: OSSE (office of the state superintendent of education)

March 5, 9:30 am, DGS government witnesses