Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

That observation, often attributed to poet and philosopher George Santayana, needs to be heeded by policymakers in the District of Columbia.

Today, thousands of D.C. students stand on the brink of academic failure—and a future at risk of poverty and diminished opportunities. Yet the city’s adults are squabbling among themselves.

City council members complain they weren’t properly consulted about planned school closings, and parents jeered school officials at a recent public meeting. Meanwhile, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty is alienating potential political support for school reform with a combative leadership style.

In a democracy, everyone has a right to debate public policy. But the tone of debate in D.C. has me worried that city leaders have forgotten their history. Political infighting and turf battles have sabotaged every serious school reform effort in the city for the past two decades, leaving the schools to languish and creating a revolving door of school leaders and dashed hopes.

I’m not saying that common sense won’t win out in the nation’s capital. But I think it’s worth pointing out that D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee confronts a daunting task, and quite frankly, she needs to wield a political and administrative sledgehammer if she is to succeed.

The Washington Post had it right in a recent editorial: “Ms. Rhee does not need 13 people telling her which schools to close or whom to hire and fire; rather she needs partners who have a stake in her success and will give her the necessary tools and support.”

That’s good advice—and a similar-worded message should be delivered to community leaders everywhere. Don’t argue about the job—work together to get it done. Our children’s futures are at stake.

Del Stover, Senior Editor