Statement from Education Reform Now DC on the FY22 Budget

July 21, 2021

Contact: Jessica Giles, Jessica@edreformnow.org

WASHINGTON, DC (July 21, 2021) — Today, following the DC Council’s first vote on the District of Columbia’s fiscal year 2022 budget and fiscal plan, Education Reform Now DC (ERN DC) State Director Jessica Giles released the following statement on the inclusion of ERN DC’s priorities in the FY2022 budget:

“Our students, families, and educators have experienced unprecedented challenges over the past sixteen months due to the coronavirus pandemic, racial inequity, and unacceptable gun violence within our communities. But with this vote, the DC Council sent a strong message that strengthening and investing in our public education system is essential and our students’ future matters. Thank you to Chairman Mendelson and the DC Council for supporting our students.

The fiscal year 2022 budget and financial plan includes many critical investments, including:

• • • An increase to the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula by 3.6 percent and new supplemental funding increases for over-age high school students and English Language Learners;
    • An investment in High-Impact Tutoring, which will help in academic recovery for students who’ve fallen behind in learning;
    • A fully-funded expansion of the school-based mental-health program to all traditional and public charter schools;
    • An increase in the public charter facilities allowance to 3.1% in FY 2024 and beyond so schools can have safe, well-maintained schools and enough space to learn;
    • Investment in one-time stabilization funding for schools in need during the pandemic; and
    • And a teacher pipeline development program.

As we finish out the summer and head into the fall, we must ensure the DC Council provides strong accountability and oversight over these investments so that our students have the resources they need to thrive. This means ensuring our investments are targeted to the students furthest from opportunity, and that students’ well-being and learning acceleration continue to be enhanced through smart, innovative policymaking.

We look forward to continuing to partner with the Mayor, DC Council, DC State Board of Education, our advocacy community, students, and DC-area families to ensure all our students—especially those too often overlooked—have a just and equitable recovery.”

The DC Council is scheduled to vote again on the Local Budget Act on Aug. 3 and the Budget Support Act on Aug. 10.

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