Contact: Joshua Hodge, Jhodge@edreformnow.org
WASHINGTON, DC (May 10, 2022) — Today, following the D.C. Council’s first vote on the Fiscal Year 2023 Local Budget Act of 2022 and Budget Support Act of 2022, Education Reform Now DC (ERN DC) State Director Jessica Giles released the following statement on the inclusion of ERN D.C.’s priorities:
“We are grateful to Chairman Mendelson and the D.C. Council for prioritizing and supporting our students,” said Giles.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted our students, families, educators, and entire D.C. community, particularly those furthest from opportunity. To address these challenges, our communities told us they wanted elected officials to fix school funding inequity; invest in safe, stable, and positive learning environments for all students; and ensure all educators receive high-quality teacher preparation and support. The D.C. Council unanimously approved a budget that takes decisive steps toward these goals.
The D.C. Council increased funding for students designated as ‘at-risk’ and provided targeted resources to help our students read on grade level, catch up on unfinished learning, and receive behavioral health support. With these critical investments, our educators and school leaders will be able to help our students recover from the COVID-19 pandemic more effectively.
We look forward to partnering with the D.C. Council to ensure that the final passage of the budget reflects student-centered policymaking.”
The Fiscal Year 2023 Budget and Financial Plan include the following:
- Additional funding for students designated as “at-risk” – two new concentration weights in the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF) for a total of $10.4 million in recurring funding;
- A one-time, $300,000 adequacy study to ensure the UPSFF increases adequately for all students;
- A 5.9% increase to the foundation of the UPSFF for FY 2023;
- An increase to the public charter school facilities allotment from 2.2% to 3.1% in FY 2023 to keep up with rising costs in the District;
- Structured literacy training for D.C. Public School teachers, a $2000 stipend for those who complete the training, and a task force;
- An increase in CBO grant sizes in the School-Based Behavioral Health program and a commitment to fund the cost study; and
- Continued funding for restorative justice, dual enrollment, and High-Impact Tutoring.
The D.C. Council is scheduled to vote a second time on the Local Budget Act on May 24 and the Budget Support Act on June 7.
About ERN DC
ERN DC is a non-profit organization fighting for a just and equitable public education system for all students in Washington, D.C.
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