Judy Licht Photography

On a cold December day when Matt was beginning his campaign, he drove me around in his car showing me pockets of the city that are in transition.  If I were alone driving, I would have been curious about the neighborhoods, noticing the scaffolding and cranes, construction sites and hard-hatted workers, but I would have missed a valuable history lesson.  Matt’s tour gave me perspective.  Historically, DC has been a divided city in many ways.  Changing demographics have shifted school populations.  Rebuilding the school system so that it serves every student equally by providing a high quality education for students in all wards of the city is one of Matt’s high priorities.  I realized the depth of his investment in city’s future when we stopped at Cardozo High.  Looking through the fence at the school renovation, here’s what Matt told me…”This is the old Central High School, which was part of DC’s old segregated system.   It’s a magnificent and historic structure undergoing a major renovation that will preserve its very special character.  It also sits on the crest of the hill, commanding the best views of the city anywhere, so it should be a beacon both in terms of the building itself and the learning going on within its walls.”  But future plans are not yet optimized.

“With the renovation,” he explained, “We are making the significant bricks and mortar investments, and that is good, but we need to accompany the construction with bold moves on programming, and that is not on the table yet.”

A council candidate who has such a broad perspective is what we need in DC.  As a leader of the modernization of Wilson High, Matt rolled up his sleeves and worked to rebuild the school to meet the structural and educational needs of students for decades to come.  He is passionate in his resolve to bring renewed educational opportunities to students in every corner of the city.  A vote for Matthew Frumin is a vote for better DC schools.