Christopher Swope was GOVERNING's executive editor.
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Fenty v. Bobb
Here comes the next battle royale for control of a big-city school system. And it's happening right here on the streets below the 13th floor. Given the size of the names and the egos involved, it's likely to get just as juicy as the recently concluded Villaraigosa v. Romer in L.A.
Here in D.C., it's mayor-in-waiting Adrian Fenty (left) who is making sounds about seizing control of the schools. I don't recall Fenty talking much about this on the campaign trail. In fact, his website still talks about supporting the superintendent. Whatever. Fenty has caught the same school control bug that hit Mayors Daley, Menino and Villaraigosa before him. He's even made the required pilgrimmage to NYC to meet with Mayor Bloomberg to find out how mayoral control is going there. (Fenty also seems smitten with Bloomberg's "bullpen" offices).
Meanwhile, Robert Bobb (right) is running for president of the very school board the Fenty wants to abolish. Bobb is an accomplished government manager and more importantly, a onetime Governing coverboy. For the last few years, Bobb has worked as Tony Williams' top administrator. Why he wants to get into the hurly burly of school politics is beyond me, but I suspect Bobb is experiencing the same late-career give-me-a-challenge feeling that Roy Romer went through.
It's too early to say how this one will play out, but it'll sure be interesting to watch.
Twitter: @governing
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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