Sixty-one DCPS schools are serving as polling places in the District today, in addition to following a normal academic schedule. (The Washington Teachers’ Union had asked schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee to close the schools for election day, but their request was denied.) According to a spokesperson for the District, additional security has been put in place to ensure the safety of students, and “guarantees” have been made for light and heat (although one would hope those things were in place already).

While you’re voting, don’t forget to connect those arrows for your state school board representatives. If you missed it, check out DCist’s preview of the school board races here and here.

Speaking of the elections, the WTU has made good on its promise to send a letter to Senator Barack Obama, chastising him for his “statement in the last Presidential Debate about the state of DC Public Schools.” Towards the end of the final debate on October 15, Obama, responding to a question on education and vouchers, said, “The D.C. school system is in terrible shape, and it has been for a very long time.” Somehow, the WTU found this offensive, rather than as we saw it – stating the obvious.

The full text of the letter is below the jump.

Photo by zeul