The School Modernization Campaign:
Mission, Steering Committee, and Endorsers
(updated September 2006)
The School Modernization Campaign was launched on January 7, 2006 to realize a vision for full school modernization, as a vital part of improving education and a top priority in the District, within 10-15 years. The SMC vision is that every child in the DC public schools will be in a safe, sound, educationally appropriate, high-quality, 21st century school.
In March 2006, the SMC reached its first goal in attaining this vision when its efforts contributed to the City Council approving a sufficient, dedicated, and guaranteed source of funds to modernize public schools.
Now the SMC has turned its attention to citizen education and monitoring to ensure that the modernization program is properly managed.
Executive Committee
Our governance is currently through a small group of Steering Committee members. Through November 1, 2006, the following members make up the Executive Committee:
LaVensus Jones, parent, Dunbar High School graduate, lavensus@att.net
Andrea Rosen, parent, Wilson High School graduate, rosena@georgetown.edu
Lisa Schamess, parent, Hearst Elementary School student, lisaschamess@gmail.com
Steering Committee
School PTAs, Parents, Teachers and Students
HD Cooke ES: Steve Aupperle, teacher
Coolidge SHS PTSO: Terry Goings, president
Dunbar SHS PTSA: LaVensus Jones, former president
Watkins ES: Ed Lazere, parent
Spingarn SHS: Rosalind Lyle, parent coordinator
Wilson SHS: Andrea Rosen, parent &
Matt Weurker, parent
Hearst ES: Lisa Schamess, parent
Janney ES: Sczerina Perot, parent
Stoddert ES: Wendy Sefsaf, parent
Murch ES: Michael Siegel, parent
Eastern SHS: Brandon Wilkins, student
Ellington SHS: Sarah Woodhead, parent
Organizational Members
DC PTA: Darlene Allen, President, DC Chapter PTA
21st Century School Fund: Mary Filardo, executive director
Nancy Huvendick, D.C. program director
Save Our Schools: Gina Arlotto, co-founder; parent, Watkins ES
Critical Exposure: Heather Rieman, co-founder
DCPS Full Funding Coalition: LeRoy Hall, also with Save Our Schools
Ed Dixon, parent, Key ES:
DC for Democracy: Michelle Vanderhoff
DC VOICE: Erika Landberg
District One Schools Council: Bonnie Cain, founder
Fair Budget Coalition: Sczerina Perot, parent, Janney ES
Fight for Children: Ariana Quinones-Miranda, advocacy/policy director
FixOurSchools.net: Marc Borbely, founder
Gerasene Group: Raymond Blanks, founder
Jews United for Justice: Carolivia Herron, alumna, Coolidge SHS
League of Women Voters: Elinor Hart
Parents United for the
DC Public Schools: Iris Toyer, chair; parent, Francis JHS
Margot Berkey, interim director, parent, Deal JHS
Senior High Alliance of Parents,
Principals and Educators (SHAPPE): Cathy Reilly, director
Ward 6 Democrats: Jan Eichhorn, president
Washington Teachers Union: Nathan Saunders, general vice president
Organizational Endorsers (as of August 2006)
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3/4G
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A
DC for Democracy
DC Smart Schools
DC Statehood Green Party
DC VOICE
DC Young Democrats
District 1 Schools Council
FixOurSchools.net
Jews United for Justice
McKinley Tech Senior High School PTSA
Northwest Settlement House
Parents United for the DC Public Schools
Senior High Alliance of Parents, Principals and Educators (SHAPPE)
21st Century School Fund
Ward 3 Democrats
Ward 4 Education Council
Ward 6 Democrats
Yes. I want to support the School Modernization Campaign:
please copy this form to an e-mail and send to Lisa Schamess at lisaschamess@gmail.com or print out and mail with your contribution to SMC c/o 1349 Newton Street NW Washington, DC 20010.
Name___________________________ Affiliation (optional)______________________
Address________________________________________________Zip:_____________
Telephone:_________________________________Email:________________________
Please add me to the campaign's Listserve.
I would like to contribute $___________ to the Campaign (please make checks out to
______________________________________).