One mom, in her school drop-off uniform of sweats and no makeup, did a happy dance under the oak trees, fingers wiggling in the crisp, morning air when I told her the news.
Another, with equally snazzy dress except for an added dash of breakfast smeared on her sleeve, went the other way: "I should put the house on the market and move to Montgomery County."
This sums up how divided the District is about the news that yes, Superman has officially left the city. Michelle A. Rhee is outta here.
"The thought of not being in this role anymore is heartbreaking. To put it mildly," Rhee said at a news conference Wednesday morning at the Mayflower Hotel, announcing the end of her tempestuous, three-year tenure as D.C. schools chancellor.
Heartbreaking for her, sure.
But for parents?
Puh-leeze.
It is unconscionable to give one person so much power over our children's futures.
School reform is bigger than Michelle Rhee, no matter how much attention she got from her ardent admirers in the media and the Obama administration.
She said it herself at the news conference when she explained the "mutual decision" between her and presumptive Mayor-elect Vincent C. Gray that led to her resignation: "In short, we have agreed - together - that the best way to keep the reforms going is for this reformer to step aside."
It is no longer relevant or useful to categorize Rhee as good or evil. That's a serious waste of energy, and smart people know it's not that simple.
Change had to come to D.C. schools. It is no secret that some of our schools have long been shamefully ineffective for the thousands of kids stuck attending them.
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