WASHINGTON — There is a growing debate among some DC Public School parents that cuts straight through issues of race and class. It asks the question: What is the best way to make our schools more diverse and equitable?
There is a proposal on the table to combine two nearby elementary schools on Capitol Hill that some parents said are highly segregated. Maury and Miner Elementary Schools are one mile apart on Capitol Hill. Many school families are neighbors. The proposal to combine the two schools is part of the boundary restructuring process DCPS undergoes every ten years.
The once-in-a-decade debate to combine the schools would create a PreK-2nd grade school and another for grades 3 through 5.
“This is an opportunity to address a persistent pattern of segregation that has been allowed to exist for too long,” said Jeff Giertz a parent from Miner Elementary who authored a petition in support of the move. “Pairing the schools would eliminate the differences between the schools anything less than that would essentially be nibbling at the edges.”
“I do think things should be more equitable but has DCPS or central office even bothered looking at other things to help Miner before they decide to merge schools?” asked Maury parent Amadi Hemphill.
Unlike the long-time principal of Maury, leadership has changed several times at Miner. The school receives Title 1 federal funding because 64% of its students are considered “at-risk,” 80% are Black, and 13% are white. A few blocks away, Maury’s demographics are drastically different with 12% at-risk, 21% Black students, and 58% white students.
Deputy Mayor of Education Paul Kihn said the boundary process aims to address enrollment and diversity issues across the city.
“We know from research, diverse schools is where all children thrive and flourish,” said Deputy Mayor Kihn. “We have patterns of housing segregation still in D.C. as the legacy of city so that still remains true in our public schools as well.”
Maury parent Jonathan Rothwell opposed the pairing and signed a petition against the move.
“I and most Maury parents welcome diversity,” explained Rothwell, “what I and a lot of other parents would like to see them prioritize is boosting the achieving of economically disadvantaged children from across the District.”
“I’m not opposed to combining the two schools but I think there needs to be more discussion about what would bring about best results for both schools and all students involved,” added Laura Dunn. “These concerns have been expressed for a long time and I feel like the sudden rush to condense it in boundary process rather than taking longer approach I think they should have started this process earlier.”
The boundary discussions and panels began convening in November. DME Kihn said he and the team plan to meet with Maury and Miner parents in the coming weeks. He said questions about Miner’s Title 1 status and the fate of teachers and administrators have not been ironed out yet, but he said if they approve the move those issues will be addressed.
“It’s a multi-year process,” said Kihn, “we understand it takes very intentional planning. You have to resolve implementation issues that have come up, you have to have very stable leadership at schools, and you have to have very dedicated and ongoing community engagement.”
The boundary recommendations will be presented to Mayor Bowser in March.
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