About OPEFM DC Education Reform & School Modernization The Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization (OPEFM) was created by the historic DC Education Reform Act of 2007 to undertake large scale capital projects as well as the construction and modernization of DC Public School facilities. The estimated cost of the 15-year modernization campaign is approximately $3.5 billion. The office also will now manage all maintenance for the school system. The struggles of DCPS have been well documented. Concerns about the alarming decline of facilities, more than anything, moved newly elected Mayor Adrian M. Fenty to seek control of the school system. The DC City Council approved the Mayor's school reform legislation that included the creation of this independent entity within city government that has its own contracting, legal and financial operations to speed necessary reforms. Since its inception in June 2007, OPEFM staff have moved quickly to create a start-up operation based on a private sector management model. In preparation for the start of the FY07-08 school year OPEFM managed summer repair initiatives and is in the process of assessing and reorganizing the various new construction and ongoing modernization projects. OPEFM Led by Allen Y. Lew OPEFM is led by Executive Director Allen Y. Lew. He was recruited by Mayor Fenty to oversee the massive effort to transform the design, construction and maintenance of District of Columbia public schools. From 2004 until 2007, Mr. Lew was Chief Executive Officer of the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission where he oversaw the renovation of historic RFK Stadium and the construction of the new $611 million Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium-which will be the first LEED certified professional sports facility when it opens next April. From 1996 until 2004, Mr. Lew served as Managing Director of Development and later Acting General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Convention Center Authority from where he oversaw development and construction of the award-winning, $850 million Washington Convention Center in the heart of the nation's capital. Prior to coming to Washington, DC, Mr. Lew's reputation as an innovative developer and builder was well established. From 1992 to 1994 he served as Vice President of Capital Programs for the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation; from 1988 to 1990 he was Vice President of Rose Associates, Inc., a private commercial and residential development company; and from 1983 to 1988 he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Mr. Lew is a product of the New York City public education system having graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the City College of New York School of Architecture. He earned a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture and Planning.