Washington - Some District leaders have been asking some personal questions about D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee.

Just two years ago, Rhee was an up-and-coming star in the Sacramento, California schools, working in the St. HOPE charter school organization, led by fellow educational reformer Kevin Johnson.

Former NBA star Kevin Johnson is now the recently-elected mayor of Sacramento, and the Sacramento Bee reports that Rhee has been in Sacramento almost every weekend since, aiding in the selection of his staff and appearing with him at events.

The Sacramento Bee reports that Rhee went to Sacramento for Johnson's mayoral debate, his election night victory, his transition team press conference, and at Thanksgiving for a event to feed the hungry. She even screened candidates for Johnson's chief of staff.

"I've been friends with him a long time, and we want to be as helpful as I can to him," Rhee explained to ABC 7 / NewsChannel 8 reporter Sam Ford. "That's all done on weekend and vacation time."

And the relationship is reciprocal: when Rhee was nominated for D.C. Schools Chancellor, Johnson came to the District to testify on her behalf in confirmation hearings.

Questioned about Rhee's trips by Sam Ford, Mayor Adrian Fenty said that he has no problem with Rhee traveling on her own time. Mayor Fenty notes, "Chancellor Rhee is doing what can only be described as a marvelous job."

D.C. Councilman Kwame Brown, though, expresses concern about the trips, considering the large scale effort it will take to fix the District's school system. Brown argues, "When I see the amount of times being out of town -- we have an educational crisis here in the District of Columbia." 

And State Board of Education President Robert Bobb added, "It doesn't bother me at all."

The reaction among parents at schools like Watkins Elementary is mixed. Parent Thurnell Outlaw wondered, "Are we paying her to run the schools?" Parent David Johnson, though, said, "I think it's great that she's trying to help other communities."

Rhee reiterated to Sam Ford, "Obviously, my full professional committment and focus is on D.C.P.S. and I think that that people can attest to the fact that I work extraordinarily hard and I work really long hours."

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