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	Saez politicizes the school board (Published January 14, 2002) By DIANA WINTHROP

Two years ago, Mayor Anthony A. Williams sought and won a hotly contested referendum to drastically alter the make-up of the D.C. Board of Education by giving him the power to appoint four members.

Education, he said, was his number one priority if he was to improve the quality of life for District residents. The referendum issue barely won. Williams took months to decide on his four appointments, whom he said were chosen because they were the best individuals to help improve conditions for the District’s children. The mayor said his appointments were made without political consideration. With the election of Peggy Cooper Cafritz as school board president, Williams thought he would have a majority to do his bidding on the nine-member board.

However, to the surprise of his critics, Williams’ appointees turned out to be independent -- and Cafritz was more independent than Williams anticipated. Suddenly, the mayor did not have his way. For the first time in years, the D.C. Board of Education, the school system and the parent community – which were often at one another’s throats -- are speaking with one voice. Unfortunately for the mayor, it is not the voice he wants to hear.

Last week, Williams nominated Mirian Saez to fill out the term of Robert Peck, who resigned from the school board last fall to head the Greater Washington Board of Trade. Saez is a high-profile national Democratic Party activist who was recently elected president of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, a political organization that focuses on gay civil rights issues. From all reports, she is extremely bright, innovative and an expert in public housing administration. Saez was a Clinton appointee to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She also is Puerto Rican, which is of special interest to the Hispanic community, the fastest growing community in the District.

Unfortunately, Saez is wrong for this job. Considering the mayor’s track record on low-income housing issues, Williams desperately needs her -- but not in this job.

In making the nomination, the mayor ignored groups such as Parents United and the DCPTA. He even ignored his school board appointees, who begged him not to politicize the board with the appointment of a high-profile Democrat.

The mayor wants citizens to believe that he chose Saez over Paul F. Ruiz, a principal partner with Education Trust, a nonprofit group working to improve achievement among low-income and minority students, because Ruiz was not up to his standards. Ruiz, a long-time resident with ties to the District’s Hispanic community, has devoted 25 years to Latino and African-American students.

The mayor wants us to believe that a phone call from former vice president Al Gore had no influence on his decision. He wants us to believe that intense lobbying by members of the Gertrude Stein club in an election year and Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham had no influence on his decision because, after all, he believes in "children first."

And while a number of Hispanic activists have expressed pleasure that Williams seems to recognize the importance of the Hispanic community with this appointment, many of them too supported Ruiz over Saez. The mayor even told some school board members that he wanted Saez because he was tired of not getting his way. He wanted "his person" on the board.

Already, that may cripple Saez’s ability to be effective, even before she is confirmed by the city council. Councilman Kevin Chavous, chairman of the education committee, says that in general the council approves mayoral appointments unless there is something dreadful, which in the case of Saez is not likely. Chavous says he hopes to receive assurances from Saez during the confirmation process that she will not be "a puppet on the school board."

But what about her role during the upcoming election campaign? The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, which Saez now heads, screens candidates, gives political contributions, makes endorsements and provides much-needed volunteers who work for its endorsed candidates. The Stein endorsement is often the first one sought by candidates for mayor, city council and the school board during an election season.

By appointing Saez, Williams is attempting to widen his political influence over who will be elected to the council and school board. And as Stein president, Saez will be influencing who will join her as elected members of the school board. If she wants to serve on the school board, Saez should resign as Stein president.

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The writer, a native Washingtonian with more than 25 years in the news business, spends her nights toiling as an editorial producer for a network morning news show. Contact her at diana@thecommondenominator.com with your news tips.

Copyright 2002, The Common Denominator