Michelle Rhee‘s central administration has thus far seemed to operate like a fortress atop a hill. It’s visible to all, but secured. Only certain people can come in and know what’s going on. Time and time again, activists have lined up to protest Rhee’s actions. Still, the inner sanctum is protected. But yesterday came news that a key figure in DCPS has left the building.

The Washington Examiner broke the story: Pamela D. Graham, head of the DCPS budget office, has resigned. D.C. Financial Chief Natwar Gandhi immediately named Noah Wepman, an education program director with city administrator Dan Tangherlini, as a temporary replacement. According to a mid-February brief in the Post, Rhee planned to submit her budget today to Mayor Adrian Fenty. He is then scheduled to submit the budget to the D.C. Council on March 20. I’m sending a request into the Office of the Chief Financial Officer to see if that’s still happening. Stay tuned.