Unelected billionaire oligarchs to DC: No money for schools unless you do as we say

[Hannah Bell]

Foundations reserve right to pull funding if D.C. schools chief Rhee leaves

The private foundations pledging to help finance raises and bonuses for D.C. teachers have placed themselves in the middle of the city's mayoral race with one of the conditions for their largesse: If Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee leaves, so could the money.

The private donors have told the District that they reserve the right to reconsider their $64.5 million pledge if leadership of the school system changes, further complicating a proposed labor contract that has generated controversy since Rhee and union leaders announced it this month.

That clause, yet to be publicly discussed by D.C. officials, is a standard feature of private grants. But it comes at the beginning of a primary campaign that could leave Rhee out of a job. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) has staked much of his campaign on evidence of Rhee's success in improving schools. His opponent, D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray, has sent mixed messages about retaining Rhee, telling reporters after his campaign kickoff Saturday that school reform and Rhee's presence are "not inextricably tied."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/27/AR2010042702791_pf.html


The new oligarchy = Foundations, NGOs, & other UNACCOUNTABLE, NON-DEMOCRATIC, NON-TRANSPARENT PRIVATE PARTIES DIRECTLY MAKING PUBLIC POLICY.

Under the guise of "good works" & heavily relying on public relations LIES & manipulation.

[RandomThoughts]

1. So they are willing to let school children go without schools

if they don't get what they want. Hence why power through money is not the best way.

Besides, why do they think the money is theirs? There are arguments that say billionaires did not earn their wealth, but were given it by a money system.

If that story is true, then let them show there true colors, and see what happens, although I also think teachers should be able to show there true colors. I think it helps in many things.


And would you want a person to decide who teaches your children, if they can not unilaterally decide who that person is? Does not sound like they believe in ideals of democracy? Should they pick who teaches?



But on a more positive note, because that story might be an anomaly, I actually maintain hope that the people involved in these issues will do what is correct. I believe they have the interest of the education of the students, however I still think the more teachers are able to express their own methods, the less hierarchal the system would be, and that would be a push back on corruption.

But again, people are more good then bad, and that includes billionaires.

So a song. For teachers, students, and those trying to figure the best ways, an idea of many people expressing ideas to add to the richness of society, including those working on many ideas about education reform.

True Colors - Cindy Lauper.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xe15s_cindy-lauper-true-colors_life

[Sancho]

2. Let her go! It will save money!

Believe me...when the privates get into your schools they are only looking for a way to line their pockets!

[ejpoeta]

3. well here is as good a reason as any for public schools. tax the hell out of these jerks

and use it for education. because we DON'T fund education enough, and then bitch when it inevitably fails because it can't possibly do it's job when we won't fund it. uggh.

[unhappycamper]

4. We can save shitloads of money on books, too.

Dinosaur with saddle at a Creation Museum