WAMU 88.5 : News

Filed Under:

Head Of D.C. Teachers' Union Reserves Judgment On D.C. School Closings

By: Kavitha Cardoza // November 14, 2012
Play associated audio
comments
Washington Teachers' Union President Nathan Saunders is take a measured approach to the proposal to close 20 District schools.
WTU
Washington Teachers' Union President Nathan Saunders is take a measured approach to the proposal to close 20 District schools.

Nathan Saunders, who heads the Washington Teachers Union, says he is neither for nor against a D.C. Public Schools proposal to close 20 schools. He first wants time to do an analysis of the schools affected.

Saunders says he understands the structural pressures on the school system: "At the government expense, you cannot operate and finance a mansion for a three member family."

Having said that, Saunders says he's concerned about possible overcrowding in classrooms if schools are consolidated, especially if there are closings.

"The first thing we want those dollars they save to be earmarked for is resources immediately to secure the art, PE, music, library and media specialists — the programs as well as the teachers," says Saunders.

Saunders also wants teachers who might lose their jobs because of the closings to be re-hired to replace the teachers DCPS loses every year to retirements and resignations.

A decision on the school closures is expected in January.

Arts & Culture

NPR

Dan Brown: 'Inferno' Is 'The Book That I Would Want To Read'

Dan Brown, author of the blockbuster The Da Vinci Code, is back with his first novel in four years. Inferno follows academic hero Robert Langdon on a chase through Italy as he attempts to avert a biological catastrophe.

Food

NPR

'Picture Cook': Drawings Are The Key Ingredients In These Recipes

Designer Katie Shelly's upcoming cookbook offers 50 illustrated recipe "blueprints" for basic meals — from simple snacks to more hefty dishes like eggplant Parmesan. She hopes they'll inspire any level of cook to improvise in the kitchen.

Politics

NPR

Tesla Rides High, But Faces Formidable Foe: Car Dealers

The Model S from electric car manufacturer Tesla has been named Motor Trend Car of the Year. But the company's business model is under attack by a formidable foe: the National Automobile Dealers Association, one of the most powerful lobbying groups in Washington.

Technology

NPR

Book News: Amazon May Be Called Before Parliament Over Taxes

Also: AARP and The Nation join a growing list of ebook publishers; Hilary Mantel on Jane Austen; Anne Applebaum on Sheryl Sandberg.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.