ANC 3/4G-05 Updates: zoning meeting, schools, and more, 4/23/24
Hello ANC Folks,
I hope you are well and enjoying the good Spring weather.
One of the most important issues before us are the looming budget cuts to DCPS.
As background, DCPS—our traditional public schools—are run by the Mayor, Chancellor Ferebee, and Deputy Mayor of Education Paul Kihn. Each has a history of receptiveness to privatization and tension with the Washington Teachers' Union.
Former Ward 3 State Board of Education representative Ruth Wattenberg would often say that when Ward 3 schools (Have you ever wondered why there are no charter schools in Ward 3, but city wide they account for nearly half of the student population?) catch a cold, the rest of the city schools get the flu. In other words the cuts across the city will be devastating, our schools will feel the impact, but it will be worse in places where kids need good teachers and consistency the most.
The good news is that Chairman Mendelson has committed to pushing back against these cuts. See part of his newsletter from last week here.
ANC 3/4G also passed budget testimony written by Commissioner Zeldin and Gore, though well intentioned, I thought was too tepid. While raising "alarm" about the budget the strongest demands in the "solutions" section were only made for Lafayette, Murch, and asked the Chancellor to explain city wide budget cuts to the ANC. You likely have not seen this testimony, and it almost wasn't sent in time, which is another issue the ANC is working to fix.
DME Paul Kihn has already addressed parents at the Ward 3 EdNet Meeting and told them that even with increased enrollment at some schools and less teachers their budget study found the cuts to be "adequate." There was a differing opinion from concerned parents.
Many of those same parents signed this petition I helped develop with now over 1,300 signers from across the city. Please add your name and join those that reject the cuts to teachers and schools. I hope we continue to support schools across the city and not just in our backyard.
This is your city, please contact your friends, family, neighbors and urge them to email, call and make your demands of the Mayor and all our elected officials. It is wholly unacceptable to place the burden of tight budget year on the backs of our kids. Unfortunately, city leadership has a track record, based in part on this bus fiasco, of disregarding the students that need help the most. Please raise your voice. Council Chairman Mendelson is clearly listening, others will too, but they need to hear from you.
Office of Planning Zoning:
ANC 3/4G has a special meeting this Thursday at 7pm on zoom to discuss the Office of Planning proposed zoning for both the Connecticut Avenue corridor from Livingston St. to the Circle, and for the civic core space. Commissioner Gosselin's resolution which will serve as a point of discussion. Comments from anyone interested in this zoning need to be made to OP by April 29.
Send your comments to zcsubmissions@dc.gov, dcoz@dc.gov, planning@dc.gov, and use the subject line "Zoning Changes in Case 23-25," or sign up to testify live here.
For reference, please refer to the summary of proposed changes here and in a slideshow here. A helpful gauge on height was explained by OP's Joel Lawson here.
Please let me know if you have ideas or suggestions based on this zoning. My general draft ideas are here.
Bio-Retention Bed Update
DDOT officials have said that the bio-retention beds plans are not finalized. We also learned from ANC 3D, the Spring Valley ANC dealing with the same implementation, that the budget does not have the funds to support the upkeep of the beds. Without proper maintenance they won't work as intended. This has not caused a cancellation of the bioretention beds, but it does complicate the matter, and I'll keep you updated as best I can.
A Call to Potential Apartment Resident Commissioners
Currently I'm the only commissioner on ANC 3/4G who lives in an apartment. We often think of this neighborhood as predominantly single family homes but in reality it's nearly split between apartment residents and house dwellers. The voice of people in the apartments is often overlooked. If you are thinking of running for an ANC seat and live on the Avenue, please connect and I'll be happy to help with any questions you may have. We need you.
Undesign the Redline
The interactive exploration of how our communities came to be is underway and there are some interesting discussions coming up. The student led talk this Thursday will be excellent.
-Thursday, April 25, 6:30pm-7:30pm
-The Reno Community
-How student engagement of local history has become a catalyst for action. Presentation and discussion by Assistant Principal Principal Marc Minsker and Jackson-Reed High School students.
-Location: Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave NW
Thank you and please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Peter