Rossford native picked as head of D.C. schools

6/13/2007

WASHINGTON - A Rossford native yesterday was named acting chancellor of the public school system in the nation's capital.

Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty, hours after officially taking over the 55,000-student District of Columbia Public School system, appointed 37-year-old Michelle Rhee as the new educational leader.

Ms. Rhee founded the New Teacher Project in 1997 to recruit new teachers - often professionals seeking new careers - to mostly urban districts with shortages.

Ms. Rhee holds a bachelor's degree in government from Cornell University and a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University.

She grew up in Rossford and attended Maumee Valley Country Day School.

Ms. Rhee taught elementary school in Baltimore for three years.

Washington council members must confirm the appointment.

She replaces Clifford Janey, who was hired in 2004.

Former Toledo Public Schools Superintendent Eugene Sanders was a finalist in August, 2004, to become superintendent of the Washington school system.

The nine-member Washington Board of Education instead unanimously voted to offer the job to Mr. Janey.