Takoma DC Neighborhood Association, Inc. – General Membership Meeting

January 23, 2007 at 7:00 PM Promised Land Baptist Church

1. Welcome – Paul Schwartz. Mentioned that we meet every month except July and August, and that the Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Our next general membership meeting is February 27, 2007.

2. Schools Forum – moderated by Luke Turner (the TDCNA contact for school issues)

a. Dr. Mary Grant from Takoma ES – Dr. Grant gave an emotional presentation touching on numerous problems at the school, including problems with health care for a staff member, partitions falling down, sinks falling apart, lack of handicap accessibility, leaks, cold temperature in the gym, dirty carpets, children who get infections and requirements for constant testing. Her refrain was, “Nobody cares.” Her phone number is 576-6127.

b. Mrs. Aleta Alsop, Assistant Principal at Takoma ES – Ms. Alsop presented a letter from Dr. Grant outlining 14 specific needs: Restroom repairs; Roof repair/replacement; Lighting (interior and security); Handicap accessibility; Student lockers; Gymnasium; Window replacements; Carpeting; Supplies & equipment; Payroll; Hiring staff; Supply & Equipment Contracts; Technology; and On-going assessment of children.

c. Ms. Natasha Warsaw from Whittier ES – Ms. Warsaw, who is relatively new to the school, gave her personal background, stating that although she moved around quite a bit as a member of a military family, she has strong ties to the DC area, including teaching at Linden ES and working at Garnet-Patterson. She loves the staff and students at Whittier. She can be reached at 576-6159 and Natasha.warsaw@k12.dc.us.

d. Mr. Nelson Burton from Coolidge HS – Mr. Burton stated that while there are problems at Coolidge, the school is improving. The number of AP classes has increased from 3 last year to 10 this year, with 14 projected for next year. They have hired new math teachers and have smaller classes. He stated that they will make the Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) this year and next year. They are on the “Challenge Index” of best 1,000 schools. They are using the Takoma Recreation center for karate classes and other programs. They have had problems with the gym – such as lighting. They have a huge athletic program. If anyone is interested in helping out, please call Mr. Jason Lance at 576-6143. Mr. Burton asked residents to come out on their porches and say hello to children who pass by on the way to or from school.

e. Coolidge PTSO President Terry Goings – Mr. Goings began by mentioning that the Washington Interfaith Network won $10 million from DCPS for 5 schools, with $2 million allocated to Coolidge. They plan to add lights. Make a multi-purpose field, add a new track and a new scoreboard. They need a building committee and would like TDCNA to be on the committee. Mr. Goings can be reached at 486-3646 or terrygoings0019@yahoo.com. He also aurged attendees to contact Cornell Brown regarding the needs of Coolidge at cornell.brown@k12.dc.us.

f. Cathy Reilly – Local School Restructuring Team (LSRT) – The LSRTs meet with principals and can strengthen schools. Ms. Reilly can be reached at 202-723-3310 or cathy.p.reilly@verizon.net.

3. Questions & Answers.

a. TDCNA Board Member Nancy Smith asked what proportion of students are out of boundary. Coolidge is 56%, Whittier is 40%, and Takoma is 25%.

b. Valencia Mohamed introduced herself as a former school board member and asked how the LSRT system was working. Dr. Grant expressed frustration that there are too many restrictions on how money is used, and that if money is not used for a specific purpose, the money is taken away. There are too many bureaucratic layers and problems lie not with DCPS but with the city. Ms. Warsaw stated that schools need autonomy. Teachers need training but there are delays in approving attendance at teacher conferences. Requests for supplies are not handled in a timely manner. Mr. Burton stated that parental involvement is low but improving.

c. TDCNA Past President Dodie Butler stated that the schools can reach the community through the newsletter.

d. Ms. Warsaw expressed frustration about infrastructure problems. She has to go downtown at least once a month to take care of administrative business. Staff in come cases are demoralized. For example, after a snowstorm, school openings were delayed two hours, but many of the teachers are in Maryland, so they could not get to school.

e. Mai Abdul Rahman, a candidate for school board asked where all the money was going. Ms. Warsaw pointed out that a lot of money is being wasted in the system.

f. ANC Commissioner Faith Wheeler asked about collaboration between Whittier and Coolidge. Ms. Warsaw stated that they are still defining the partnership. They are trying to reduce suspension rates. Whittier has a community service program. Kids are reading to students.

g. ANC Commissioner Sara Green asked how the schools are reaching out to the community for those who are considering local schools. Mr. Burton stated that the school does not have an open house and that there is no longer a city-wide school fair. There is a program where middle school students can be paired with a student for a day. Ms. Warsaw stated that Whittier does not have an open house.

h. Gina Douglas from the Friends of Takoma Recreation Center spoke of the importance of maintaining the center. Whittier does not even have a gym – they use a classroom for a gym and they also use Coolidge’s old gym (which has no lights).

i. Jeff White asked the speakers about the proposed school takeover. Ms. Warsaw stated that there have been 5 acting superintendents in 7 years, that there has been too much change. Mr. Burton stated that he has mixed feelings about the plan, but agrees that there has been too much change. Mr. Goings stated that something needs to be done.

j. Lou Lieb asked about the Coolidge librarian. Mr. Burton stated that there is no full-time librarian, but that they do have a librarian 3 days a week that they share with Roosevelt (Betty James). Ms. Warsaw stated that Whittier has a half-time librarian. They got a grant to re-do the library. They threw out furniture, but then were told that they would not get new furniture. They have only one table in the library and need help re-shelving books.

k. Sean Gough, the Community Outreach Manager for Ward 4 spoke in favor of Mayor Fenty’s plan to streamline the system and cut the bureaucracy. He can be reached at 340-7133 or sean.gough@dc.gov.

4. Approval of minutes from 11/06 meeting

5. Introduction of candidates running for Ward 4 council seat

a. Renee Bowser

b. Reverend Hagler

c. T.A. Ookta

d. (Michael Brown and Muriel Bowser were in attendance at the beginning of the meeting, but had left by the time introductions were made.)

6. Announcements – Sara Green announced the next ANC 4B meeting on Thursday January 25 at the 4^th District Police Station. Faith Wheeler announced the Community Walk Through scheduled for 1/24/07 at 1:30 pm, and the ANC Single Member District 4B02 meeting on Wednesday January 24 at 7 pm.

Attendance: 35 people

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.

FOLLOW UP – On 2/6/07, Luke Turner issued the following statement:

From the TDCNA meeting of Tuesday, January 23, 2007 that was dedicated to the conditions of Takoma Educational Center, Whittier Elementary and Coolidge Sr. High Schools, the Principals are requesting help from the community. They need resources, donations, tutors and volunteers for their respective schools. Whittier Elementary also is in urgent need of children's books, chairs and tables for the school's library. Please contact the principals for more information and to help out. If there is difficulty please let me know and I will facilitate.

Also, the Coolidge Sr. High Parent Student Teacher Organization (PTSO) and Local School Restructuring Team (LSRT) are in search of community members to join their organizations. For more information about these organizations, contact Terry Goings, Coolidge PTSO President at 202-486-3646. With your help we can improve the learning environments of these educational institutions.