WASHINGTON — One D.C. leader wants answers about a construction project that could mean no outdoor green space for students for years.
D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) has plans to establish a "swing space" for Drew Elementary School during planned renovations. A swing space is a series of trailers meant to house the entire school while construction takes place.
That swing space is planned to be in the field outside JC Nalle Elementary School.
After WUSA9's reporting on parents whose children attend Nalle Elementary, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson is calling for more clarity surrounding the DCPS plan.
He sent a letter DCPS Chancellor Lewis Ferebee demanding answers and strongly encouraging a pause on the project and construction.
"This loss is unacceptable and the lack of notice to the community is worse," Mendelson said in the letter.
Nalle parents say if the project moves forward, students from Drew Elementary will be housed in trailers that will take away the field, playground and garden space of Nalle students.
They would move into those trailers for two years, later followed by students from Anne Beers Elementary when their school is slated for renovation.
Parents say they were blindsided by the plan to utilize the field and playground during renovation at Drew Elementary and other elementary schools in the area.
"Black people, poor people like Marshall Heights, always get infantilized," parent Tine Elie said.
Mendelson asked Ferebee to provide a timeline of communication and engagement with the community, and asked for details about how oversight occurred.
The council chairman said, "What we've seen in other Wards when we need swing space, there's much more dialogue between DCPS, different school communities and Ward council member."
Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray has stepped back from public appearances as he recovers from two strokes. While his office insists the Councilmember is still engaged, some constituents feel his absence has left them vulnerable.
"We're truly outraged," said William Smith during the community meeting last week.
"They failed to meet with the stakeholders, the teachers, the parents, the students – even the community members to share their plain," said Janice Parker. "The space will be consumed for at least seven years. That means that a child who comes to this school at 3 or 4 or even 5, they will be here all of those years and not have a field, a playground or anything to get any exercise or to participate in any kind of outdoor sports because that will be consumed with modular trailers."
Parker said she was frustrated following the meeting, and that school officials failed to take the community's concerns seriously.
"It's unacceptable and it's disrespectful to the people in this community," Parker said.
Tina Elie said, "Mayor Bowser will cater to whoever donates. She can take this community's votes for granted, but white folks, she can't. I'm sure if this was Lafayette, she would have engaged with the community earlier."
I'm not going to speculate if it was a different school or different ward, but I think to take advantage of the Nalle community like this is unconscionable, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said.
"Nalle serves a community that is often failed by systemic institutions and thus disengaged from them. Given Nalle's high at-risk population I cannot help but view DCPS' actions and plan in the poor light of equity," Mendelson said.
Mendelson asked Ferebee to pause construction activity until a plan is established that details how students will have access to outdoor recreation space.
WUSA9 reached out to the Chancellor Ferebee's office and we told they were working on a "comprehensive plan" for Nalle and will get back to WUSA9 by the end of Tuesday. Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray's office said they will get back to us. We are still waiting, and will inform you as soon as we hear back.
>Read Mendelson's full letter to Ferebee below:
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