June 8, 2000
City Leaders Join Parents, Teachers And PTA Members to Urge "Yes on June 27th"
Mayor pledges vigorous campaign for "accountability, leadership and change"
(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams joined Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chairman Linda Cropp, Council Education Chair Kevin Chavous, other Council members, parents, teachers, and PTA leaders from across the city to launch the "Yes on June 27th" campaign to bring "accountability, leadership, and change now" to our school system. The campaign aims to make our school board more accountable by building a combined elected and appointed school board with a well-defined role of policymaking. The event was held at J.O. Wilson Elementary School in Northeast, on the front lines of the effort to improve education in the city.
"There is no more pressing issue in this city than making our schools work for our children," said Mayor Williams. "We need a school system that is dedicated to helping our children achieve their full potential and supports the hard work of our dedicated parents and teachers. I am calling on voters in this city to do the right thing for our students-vote yes on June 27th. Yes for accountability, yes for leadership, and yes for change now. Because our children can't wait any longer."
Mary Levy, a parent and long-time PTA activist, is chairing the campaign effort. "This is the change we need if we're going to get good schools," said Ms. Levy. "We can't keep our families in the District unless we show parents they can send their children to good schools here." Former DC Council member Bill Lightfoot is the treasurer.
Speakers joining Ms. Levy and elected officials at the launch event were: J.O. Wilson Principal Erma Fields and Wilson students Christen Greene and Isaac Marsh. The campaign is supported by a broad range of parents, teachers, principals, clergy, business leaders, elected officials, and PTA members.
