FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Education Reform Now-DC
Contact: Ramin Taheri, State Director
Ramin@edreformnow.org
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Education Reform Now-DC (ERN-DC) State Director Ramin Taheri released the following statement in response to ERN-DC’s budget priorities included in the District of Columbia’s fiscal year 2021 budget following today’s final approval by the DC Council:
“Today, the DC Council passed a strong budget for fiscal year 2021, prioritizing students during a global pandemic and while faced with plummeting revenues. The FY21 budget increases per-pupil funding by three percent, marginally increases funding for students considered “at-risk,” expands the school-based mental-health program, and creates smart, innovative policies that maximize the use of our publicly owned buildings for the benefit of public-school students. While we applaud the DC Council for putting students first, we acknowledge that these investments fall short of our initial asks, especially when it comes to serving students that have been historically disadvantaged. As we head into the fall, we look forward to continuing to partner with the DC Council to advance policies that will ensure all of our students, particularly students of color and students from low-income families, receive a high-quality education.”