The Chancellor's Private #

It should have been my first day of vacation, but there was no way I was going to miss Michelle Rhee's confirmation hearing before the DC Council on Monday. DC Mayor Adrian Fenty's young and inexperienced Chancellor designate "wowed them" for the most part with her composure, ability to call up details in seconds, and clear concise responses. In a word she was "smooth".

Student achievement is her number one priority. Holding Principals and Teachers accountable after she gives them the support to succeed might be a close second. Rhee refused to be baited into earlier witnesses predictions that she will have to "clean House". But she did make clear that people who don't perform won't be around.

The 37 year old former teacher looked good, dressed sharply and even seemed to win Ward eight Councilman Marion Barry over. He wanted to know the racial makeup of her transition team. To his surprise she had it written down. Three African American males, three African American females and one Hispanic--seven of the thirteen member team are people of color! Bam! And they're paid well ..up to $200,000 a year. Rhee said she's still negotiating her salary. Look for her to collect well over the $250,000 that her successor Clifford Janey earned.

In the one emotional moment, Ms. Rhee told Mr. Barry that she had spent a good part of Sunday evening touring his ward eight area and was clearly bothered by the conditions she saw although it was unclear if she meant the many kids in the streets or the state of the schools. She promised to give it her utmost attention.

The Chancellor designate easily knocked out of the ballpark questions about her lack of experience. She said when she meets with parents she tells them she just wants to help their children achieve-to have options when they graduate from High school. She is quick to point out that she has two daughters and wants the same things from them. By the way they'll be going to DC schools. Most city officials send their own kids to private or parochial schools.

Why is she taking the job? Rhee says she saw first hand "the missed opportunities" in DC schools over the years.

In what was probably her one big mistake, Michelle Rhee in an attempt to accommodate Ward Three Council member Mary Cheh, gave out her private cell phone number. If you were watching Cable TV Channel 13 like I was..you probably wrote the number down too...I did.

She'll have the kind of backup that no other superintendent in DC history has enjoyed; Only one boss, Mayor Adrian Fenty who now runs the schools; A partner in Allen Lew who will be responcible for the enire 2 point 3 billion in repairs and new school construction. She'll have a Deputy Mayor for Education, Victor Reinoso to help provide political cover. Michelle Rhee will concentrate just on improving student performances. She told the panel she won't won't be looking to create new models for student achievment..just execution of what's already working in some schools here and throughout the country..

I'm betting on unanimous confirmation from the DC Council. Then all eyes will point toward the third week of August when DC schools welcome some 55,000 students back.