DCPS Budget Hearing 11-16-22 Cathy Reilly

Thank you for this opportunity to testify on the FY24 DCPS Budget – November 16, 2022

My name is Cathy Reilly and I have the privilege and opportunity to facilitate and manage the Senior High Alliance of Parents, Principals and Educators,(SHAPPE) as well as the Ward 4 Ed Alliance and C4DC Coalition for DC Public Schools and Communities. 

We are very pleased that enrollment is up and strongly up in 9th and 10th grade.  DCPS will need to maintain high school funding as well as ensure the elementary and middle schools are invested in and stable to keep these students living in the District and enrolled in DCPS.  DCPS is in a competitive environment.

These are the items that rise to the top of the list now:

·         We need a contract with the WTU with issues of workplace flexibility and safety as well as salary addressed.

·         Safety – locks and alarms, protocols,

o   Buildings have to be secure.  This means alarms on doors in secondary schools; classroom door locks quickly repaired and most importantly front doors repaired to lock automatically upon closure.  Many of the issues are in modernized buildings. This just cannot be alright

o   Collaboration and training for safe passage workers and school staff at hotspots like bus stops and the metro.  Look into having students use their ID number if they do not have their card.  Reduce points of friction as much as possible.

·         The FY24 school budget allocations have to give schools the additional funds for salary and supply cost increases.  A constant budget with inflation and higher salaries is a substantial budget cut.  DCPS can do this regardless of what the Council does.

·         Whether it is XQ or ESSER funds, there has got to be a plan when outside money runs out. DCPS is a system, not a bunch of independent schools. There are advantages.  DCPS can leverage central office and the resources of a whole system.  It is not only about accountability and standardization. It can be about creativity and opportunities across schools like being able to offer advanced language, math or elective options sometimes virtually or with part time teachers with flexible schedules.

·          For the buildings:

o   Maintenance: DCPS is in charge of a number of areas including the equipment in CTE programs.  For example at Roosevelt the freezer and refrigerator periodically malfunction.  Ovens on the stoves don’t work.

o   Advance and fund the digital equity work, for devices and connectivity

o   Modernization- You will hear today from Whittier, the building has deteriorated since its rating in the PACE act.  The organizing effort by this community is in response to conditions that need to be addressed for the health and safety of the students and staff.

o   HVAC and access to drinking water remain as issues that have not been addressed. We need your help, your voice and your advocacy on this. 

·         DCPS is one of 69 Local education agencies however DCPS has over half of the public school students.  DCPS has been underrepresented in a number of citywide settings like budget, lottery for example.  We need you to fight harder, and use staff and advocates strategically on this especially with the Facilities Master plan and adequacy study work coming in 2023.  Ensure that the DCPS voices of over 50,000 students and their families are passionately represented.