They say school officials often misspend or fritter away capital money on ill-conceived projects. But she acknowledged that this begs the question of council oversight. The school facilities are grossly mismanaged, and that's given a lot of people an excuse to not pay attention to anything beyond tomorrow. The mayor has not been entirely confined to the sidelines. His city administrator, Michael C. Rogers, has lent workers and equipment to the schools.
Politicians say that gives the mayor little interest in propping up the school board.
No explanation of the latest crisis is complete without noting the peculiar political history and governmental structure of the District. That invested the board with a political significance far in excess of its powers. Some current council members and Barry used the school board to launch their political careers. So a natural tension arose as school board members ever vied for council seats. In the Sept. 10 Democratic primary, for instance, council member Kevin P. Chavous is being challenged by school board member Terry Hairston, both from Ward 7.