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| | | Southeast Capitol Hill commission (ANC 6B) unanimously doesn't support IGU charter application | | March 12, 2010 | | | | Staff Writer | | At a March 9 meeting:
The commission voted unanimously to oppose the University High Charter School’s application to become a charter school or a provisional charter school. The application, which will be heard before the D.C. Public Charter School Board on March 16, proposes a 240-student high school in the current International Graduate University facility at 1325 D St. SE. In its vote, the commission largely referrenced the same concerns that nearby residents had voiced: the school’s links to the International Graduate University, which had lost its accreditation and license in recent years; apparent plagiarism in the application’s description of its proposed curriculum; and its wide-ranging definition of the “at-risk” students it intends to admit.
Terry Shelton, the executive director of the proposed charter school, said at the meeting that he defined “at-risk” students as students who have “problems associated with not being able to graduate.
We are in this field because we recognize the need. It’s bigger than me; it’s bigger than the IGU issues you’ve been raising.”
Commissioner Ken Jarboe said he regretted voted to support the zoning change that the International Graduate University initially needed in 1999 to move into the old Buchanan School.
“They came before us in 1999 with a wing and a prayer. What I see before us now is another wing and a prayer,” he said.
Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg, referencing a sentiment in the commission’s resolution, said though the mission of the school was commendable, the commission didn’t believe the school could accomplish it.
“We recognize the need in the District of Columbia [for programming for at-risk students]. However, we don’t recognize that this group would be able to fill this need,” she said.
The commission voted unanimously to support the inclusion of the federal triangle park at 15th Street, G Street, Potomac Avenue and Kentucky Avenue SE in the commission’s application to designate the Barney Circle neighborhood as a historic district. Historic Preservation Office staffers have indicated they are moving ahead with the application and will present it to the D.C. Historic Preservation Board soon.
The commission voted unanimously to exempt Roland’s of Capitol Hill, 333 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, from the Ward 6 ban on small single containers of liquor and beer. The commission also voted 7-0-2, with commissioners Neil Glick and Carol Green abstaining, to exempt Gandel’s Liquors, 221 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, from the same ban. The commission refused Gandel’s first request for an exemption last year because it had an allegation of selling to a minor pending against it. The charge has since been dropped.
Scott Kubly, the director of the District Department of Transportation’s streetcar program, discussed the possibilities for a streetcar route that is currently planned to run up 8th Street NE and SE, and answered questions.
“Before anything is designed and built, it’s going to have to go through design review,” he said, adding that it’s possible the route will be moved east to another north/south thoroughfare, an option Hill East residents seem to desire.
Kubly said an 8th Street streetcar line would likely cause a reduction in service on the popular 90 bus line, but not knock it out completely.
The commission voted unanimously to support the National Police Week 5K Race. The race, scheduled for May 8, will come up Independence Avenue, loop around the east side of the Capitol, and return on Independence. Road closures will begin around 8:45 a.m. and begin to reopen around 9:30 a.m. Organizers said they expect around 2,000 runners.
The commission voted unanimously to support the 31st Annual Capitol Hill Classic 10K/3K Race. The race, a Capitol Hill Cluster School PTA fundraiser scheduled for May 16, will start at Stanton Park, come up Massachusetts Avenue SE, loop around RFK Stadium, and go down East Capitol Street and Independence Avenue to 3rd Street SW. The racers will return to Peabody School on Independence. Road closures will begin at 8:30 a.m. and most streets should be open by 9:45 a.m., organizers said. Last year, about 3,500 runners participated. | | | | | Log in to comment on this article |
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