Last week's News and Analysis (Adrian Fenty: A mayor for everybody?) was on the money. Many charter opponents use D.C. zoning laws--including a current case relating to lot minimums and blatantly aimed at a charter school my organization planned to launch--to stymie the growth of charter schools in residential neighborhoods. New amendments currently being pushed through the zoning commission by D.C.'s Office of Planning aim to ban public charter schools and early childhood education programs in 70 percent of the District. If Adrian Fenty wants to do something positive for Washington's students, he should order the Office of Planning to halt its misguided crusade to limit charter growth through zoning. D.C. residents should not be subjected to education policy driven by Planning and Zoning.
Jack McCarthy
Managing Director
AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation