From Washington D.C. to
Washington High School

By David J. Foster

Staff Writer

He's advised mayors and governors, even presidents. But last week Donald Rappaport, chief financial and chief information officer for the U.S. Department of Education, returned to the classroom.

Rappaport went from Washington D.C. to George Washington High School.

"No, I'm not nervous," Rappaport said. He shouldn't be. Before joining the accounting firm Price Waterhouse, Rappaport was the Deputy Superintendent of Schools in Philadelphia under superintendent Mark Shed, bounced in 1972 by newly-elected Mayor Frank L. Rizzo. "When he went, we all went," Rappaport said.

He then became the State Chairman of the Board of Education during the gubernatorial reign of Milton Shapp.

A University of Pennsylvania graduate, class of 1949, Rappaport set up residence in West Mount Airy and stayed until accepting a position with the mega accounting firm Price Waterhouse. He joined the Clinton administration in 1996.

Rappaport's visit to Washington High School was part of the latest Clinton administration's public relations blitz.

"The U.S. Department of Education is encouraging parents and the community to return to school," Rappaport explained. "So the senior officers were asked to go out and visit schools. Back in Washington, we never really get to see what's going on in the classroom."

So this is a fact-finding tour . . . ?

"No. We just want people to know the U.S. Department of Education, which seems remote, but does provide about six percent of public school funding is interested in what's going on in the schools. This is your government trying to help you.

"It's a two-way street. We want to show the flag, but we get something out of it because you get so isolated unless you go out and see classrooms and teachers."

Washington High School principal Harry Gutelius wasted no time in reminding Rappaport that his school needed more computers. Rappaport listen politely, but promised nothing.

His job this day was to stand before the 10th grade math and science class and give the students a 20-minute lesson in basic accounting.

Though the talk of debits and balance sheets appeared roll off the students, Rappaport did offer critical advice: Perfect your English and math skills, the languages of business.