Photo by pnzr242.Good morning, Washington. The big news this morning: 660 D.C. Public School teachers and support staff — slightly more than ten percent of the district’s educational staff — have been told that their jobs will be eliminated for the 2011-2012 school year due to enrollment fluctuations and the financial state of the school district. Excess notices were sent to employees this week and the school district is working hard to spin the news as anything but traditional layoffs. But, as Bill Turque notes, it will likely be far more difficult for many to find new full-time positions in the annual redistribution of labor and the Washington Teachers’ Union and parents are making the conclusion that this is just the latest method for DCPS to lay off teachers. No school was spared — the Examiner reports that the successful Duke Ellington School of the Arts had 13 positions cut, despite an additional 60 students and $674,000 in funding coming into the school next year. Teachers who cannot find a position have the option of a $25,000 buyout, a year at salary to keep looking, or, if eligible, early retirement. The contract brokered by Michelle Rhee and the Washington Teachers’ Union in 2010 shifted the criteria for excessing to performance; WTU President Nathan Saunders is scheduled to meet with D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson to discuss the excess notices today.
Haynesworth To Be Arraigned: Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth will be arraigned this morning on charges of sexual abuse. Meanwhile, recently leaked court documents include a claim by Haynesworth’s alleged business manager that the player was involved in a “verbal altercation” with a waitress at the W Hotel “over the amount of gratuity defendant paid on the check,” during which she threatened to accuse him of harassment unless he tipped more. Of course, as we know already, several witnesses have said the two never spoke outside a food order. Haynesworth, who has already rejected a plea deal through his lawyer, A. Scott Bolden, faces up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine if he is convicted.
Kwame Brown, Fully Hipstered: “I’m part of the generation of families with young kids movement that’s happening in this city,” the Council Chair told the Examiner’s Freeman Klopott, while distancing himself from the Mayor. “I’m not the same type of person [as the Mayor] even from a generational standpoint.” Careful, Mr. Chairman — it’s a slippery slope from there to myopic little twit.
Briefly Noted: Inside the Library of Congress’ audio-visual conservation bunker…D.C. business leaders vehemently oppose tax increases in 2012 budget…With delays looming, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood steps in to Dulles Metro station debate…The cranes are back in town…13 injured in Dulles access road bus accident…Reserve ambulance catches fire…D.C. to regulate large commercial signs inside buildings.
This Day in DCist: Last year, then-candidate Vince Gray admitted that an election year was a “bad time” to raise taxes, members of the D.C. Council remembered slain intern Alonte Sutton, and the commentariat debated breakdancing on the Metro.
