DC Charter School Alliance Recognizes Equitable Funding Progress in Budget Report, Calls on Council to Close the Funding Gap for 48,000+ Students

WASHINGTON, DC – Half of DC's public school students remain at risk of being significantly underfunded — even after the DC Council Committee of the Whole approved recommendations today aimed at correcting long-standing funding inequities.

"We recognize that balancing DC's budget is a difficult task, especially in a challenging fiscal environment, and we are deeply appreciative of Chairman Mendelson’s steadfast leadership in helping close the equitable funding gap for public charter school students,” said Ariel Johnson, DC Charter School Alliance Executive Director.

The Committee's recommendations include gradually rerouting DCPS IMPACT teacher bonuses through the UPSFF — DC's nationally recognized formula that ensures per-pupil dollars follow students based on need, restoring the 3.1% annual facilities allotment increase, and expanding resources for St. Coletta Special Education PCS's work with students who have the greatest level of need.

“We see progress in the report, but the Council still has a choice to make: ensure that DC’s 48,000+ public charter students, who are predominantly Black and Brown and come from families who are furthest from opportunity, are equitably supported by the city they call home — or continue down the Mayor’s proposed budget path of shortchanging their education funding and their futures,” Johnson said.

"Our students need more than policy statements calling for equitable funding. They need action,” urged Johnson. “We need public charter school families, students, staff, and advocates to continue calling, emailing, and tagging Councilmembers on social media to remind them that public charter school students are not worth less than their DCPS peers. And we need our lawmakers to listen.”

The Council will present an updated budget on June 9 and take a final vote on June 23 — the deadline for doing right by DC's 48,000+ public charter school students.

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About the DC Charter School Alliance

The DC Charter School Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization that advocates for DC charter schools and their students. Learn more at www.dccharters.org.