For Immediate Release

May 4, 2021

Contact: Amanda Farnan, afarnan@dccouncil.us or (202) 355-8431

Councilmember Christina Henderson works with Council to pass emergency legislation stabilizing DCPS school budgets

Washington, DC – Today, the Council passed Councilmember Henderson’s emergency legislation to require that District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Fiscal Year 2022 school budgets be no less than one hundred percent of their Fiscal Year 2021 budgets. This is the first step toward providing robust post-pandemic investment in the education of District students and our school communities.

“The passage of today’s emergency legislation raises the floor for DCPS school budgets. This investment is just the first step the Council can take right now to allow for adequate school year planning, school staffing, mental health resources, methods to address learning loss, and more,” said Councilmember Christina Henderson. “We must provide the support DCPS needs to adequately address learning loss and the complex emotional needs of students returning to school buildings after one and a half years away. I will continue the fight for funding during the budget process coming at the end of this month.”

The decision to introduce this piece of emergency legislation was data driven. According to EmpowerK12, all DC students have experienced learning loss of at least 4 months in math and 1 month in English language arts, with at-risk students experiencing even more loss. Children’s National is reporting an increase in the number of children needing treatment for self-harm, with 60% reporting suicidal ideation. According to OSSE, over 7,000 DCPS students experienced homelessness at some point during the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, the families of English language learners have faced particularly severe disruption during the pandemic and will require additional resources upon return to in-person instruction. These conditions necessitate a commitment from both the Council and the Mayor to stabilize school budgets.

Complementing this legislation, the Mayor has announced a $14 million increase to DCPS school budgets. Councilmember Christina Henderson will continue working with the Mayor, the Chancellor and all our school communities to best prepare for the upcoming school year.

The District of Columbia Public Schools 2021-2022 Funding Stabilization Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 was co-introduced with Chairman Mendelson, Councilmembers Brianne K. Nadeau, Mary M. Cheh, Elissa Silverman, Charles Allen, Brooke Pinto, and Robert C. White, Jr. It passed unanimously.

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