The early part of the calendar year for government entities is both a trying and exciting time. Why? Because budget season is on the horizon. From the largest department to the smallest, contracting programs, everything is up for financial examination and review. What is not needed is cut, and what is seemingly imperative for growth, expanded.
DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced the new school budget on March 17.
In the case of the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) FY 2016 budget, its central office was cut, while its comprehensive high school programs, and school-based staff size, expanded. The news was announced March 17 by DCPS Chancellor, Kaya Henderson.
Comprehensive high school programs throughout the district will receive $13 million in new funding to increase the number of advanced placement courses and elective courses, such as African-American literature, and school-based positions will increase by 200. The new funding does not include additional money for specific special education or alternative high school programs.
“Our budget process this year started with strong input from our community and included honest conversations and hard decisions. This has allowed us to set a higher bar and higher expectations for our students and our schools,” said Chancellor Henderson in a press release. “Together, this budget will allow us to continue to transform DCPS into the best urban school district in the country, and the school district we all want for our children.”
The budget represents a 3.4 percent increase in funding from FY 2015, which comes out to $25 million more dollars and a total local budget of $726 million for D.C.’s students. New schools will also be opened through the Chancellor’s new budget.
The schools include:
• Brookland Middle School (Ward 5);
• Van Ness Elementary School (Ward 6);
• River Terrace Elementary School (Ward 7); and
• Community Academy Public Charter School Amos I Campus
The Community Academy will now operate under DCPS, Ward 4. DCPS continues to experience enrollment increases, including 1,500 new students expected next year. These new schools will help furnish DCPS’ growing population.
Related to new schools, is the extension of an extended school-year program at the Raymond Education Campus (Ward 4) made possible through a $1 million pilot investment. The money will give students extra instruction time, and the program will affect planning decisions for other D.C. schools in the future.
The most alarming part about the newly announced DCPS budget is the large reduction of the central office. At the time of the budget announcement, Chancellor Henderson said the school system still is not sure how the 25 percent decrease would translate into positions and staff. She was clear however, telling the AFRO on March 12, “Schools will feel it. There will be some limits to what the Central Office can provide.”
The increase in funding aligns with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s dedication to improving D.C. schools, and more specifically, transforming middle school grades by 2020. While many D.C. public agencies experienced budget decreases, DCPS did not.
While still early, DCPS’ budget shows promise for the upcoming school year. Individual school budgets still need to be determined. The budgets should be submitted within the next few weeks.
