Council of the District of Columbia

Committee of the Whole

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

MEMORANDUM

TO: Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

FROM: Phil Mendelson, Chairman

DATE: April 1, 2021

RE: Request to Place Emergency Measures on the Agenda for the April 6, 2021 Legislative Meeting

Please place the following measures on the agenda for the April 6, 2021 legislative meeting:

§ Interim Term of the State Superintendent of Education Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2021

§ Interim Term of the State Superintendent of Education Emergency Amendment Act of 2021

§ Interim Term of the State Superintendent of Education Temporary Amendment Act of 2021

On October 16, 2020, Hanseul Kang stepped down as the State Superintendent of Education, resigning from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Since then, Shana Young, who was OSSE’s Chief of Staff under then State Superintendent Kang, has served as the Interim State Superintendent. However, according to D.C. Code § 1-523.01(a)(1), if the Mayor does not nominate an individual to serve as a head of a subordinate agency, such as OSSE, within 180 calendar days of the position being vacated, no District funds can be used to compensate any individual serving in the position. Ms. Young’s 180^th day as Interim State Superintendent will be on April 13, 2021.

The Executive is actively involved in a national search to fill the position. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Executive has not been able to identify an individual to fill the State Superintendent role permanently at this point. To ensure continuity and stability at OSSE, the Executive would like for Ms. Young to remain as the Interim State Superintendent until the Mayor nominates an individual to fill the permanent role. Thus, legislation is needed to ensure that Ms. Young can continue to be paid while serving as the Interim State Superintendent. Additionally, the legislation includes a conforming change to ensure Ms. Young’s continuity regardless of residency. This is time limited and specific. Notably, the legislation only applies to an individual serving as the Interim State Superintendent from April 6, 2021 to December 31, 2021 and has an applicability date of April 6, 2021.

The measures are attached. Please call me or Ms. Christina Setlow if you have any questions at (202) 724-4865.

cc: All Councilmembers

Council Officers

Christina K. Setlow, Deputy Committee Director

Committee of the Whole, Chairman Phil Mendelson

Council of the District of Columbia

1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 410

Washington, DC 20004

Ph: (202) 724-4865

Fax: (202) 724-7139

www.chairmanmendelson.com