The country’s most valuable free agent doesn’t even play sports.
DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee resigned yesterday after a brilliant three-year tenure that drove test scores up and eased the teacher-union stranglehold on one of the nation’s worst school systems.
While chancellor, she successfully fought to rewrite teacher contracts to allow the dismissal of low-performing teachers — all in an effort to provide kids the best education, and parents the widest choice.
Rhee’s name has become a byword for reform — and for resisting the pernicious influence of teachers unions.
The unions noticed, and didn’t even have the grace to stab her in the back — they went straight for her throat instead.
They donated about $1 million to help run Rhee’s patron, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, out of office in a September primary. Fenty is history come January, so Rhee’s already hitting the road.
But where to?
DC’s loss could be New York’s gain, and it behooves city Schools Chancellor Joel Klein to scoop her up before she departs for another system.
What position should he offer her?
Whatever it takes to capture game like Rhee, who proved herself fearless, responsive and effective during her three years in Washington’s swamp.
New York’s students deserve such a proven leader, and there’s no better place for Rhee to shine a spotlight on her reform efforts than in the nation’s largest school district.