Muriel Bowser leads the Defund the Schools Movement

[Anonymous]

But hey let’s have schools that have multiple AP’s that spend most of their time doing nothing, administrators that don’t cover classrooms when staff is constantly calling out?!? Utilizing highly effective teachers as constant substitutes. Tell me this is an effective, efficient school environment that is run by positive competent leaders? I think not, it’s creates and festers an environment of negativity and fear in all. The audacity and lack of basic administrative management is appalling…. Do better DCPS DO, if you want better schools; look at the top and move along some much needed fear mongering admins along. If you know, you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Across the board, school budgets have actually increased on paper significantly, but schools have “less spending power” because more of the money is going to teachers (12% increased that has been realized over the last 4 years) as per the new union contracts. ESSR funds are also running out, which covered many programs and additional supports. Central service jobs are also being cut by 10% at least. It’s a belt tightening across the board due to a confluence of issues. Expect class sizes to increase, less money floating around for additional programming and less support from central services.

The administration union also signed a new contract and they got a big raise as well. It’s not just the teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does OP understand how much $ per pupil DC spends as compared to the rest of the country? Isn't it like the highest spent per pupil in the country? And Mayor Bowser is asking for a 12% or so increase in funding for this coming school year--that's "defunding the schools"? Get a grip.

Budgets increased by ~12% at a time staffing costs increased by 23%, so yes, the schools are being defunded. Part of the reason staffing costs aren't as well aligned is because the mayor refuses to sign timely contracts so personnel spending is hard to budget.

DC is facing massive budget shortfalls. Which other city services do you recommend cutting in order to fund schools to the level you prefer?

Is Mendelson still trying to cut taxes? I think we're ok with paying for services here.

Maybe we need a third party audit of the lack of oversight and or incompetence of the financials of the district?!? You settle a contract then a year later don’t have any funds? Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out either you took from Peter to pay Paul….then got caught with your pants down when the s… hit the fan and had to recoup the funds that weren’t made avail by the feds….Do better! Stop being reactionary and get proactive for all types of scenarios….our children, communities and teachers deserve better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does OP understand how much $ per pupil DC spends as compared to the rest of the country? Isn't it like the highest spent per pupil in the country? And Mayor Bowser is asking for a 12% or so increase in funding for this coming school year--that's "defunding the schools"? Get a grip.

Understood, and agree to a point. However, the issue isn’t amount of funding. It appropriations of how those funds are spent that is: a) the area of concern for all citizens; b) the possibility of misappropriation of those funds; c) the lack of oversight and accountability of those said funds or lastly d) the incompetence of those that are in charge of appropriating those funds on a micro level…
You take your pick…..