Mayor Plans to Underfund Charter Schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read OP's link and it says funding for charter schools is INCREASING

Did you miss this paragraph?

"Overall, Bowser’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget would send $2.9 billion to public schools in the District — a $123 million increase over the 2025 budget. Her plan directs $75 million to D.C. Public Schools and $48 million to the city’s charter campuses."

Would you be OK with charter schools getting $75M more money while DCPS gets $48M?

DCPS has more students total, so yes.

I mean, DCPS has more students total, so obviously DCPS gets more.

But in this case DCPS is getting disproportionately more.

Again, compare percentages of SpEd and at-risk kids in DCPS schools to those in charters. Charters don't have to spend remotely the amount of money DCPS does on additional services for students. You don't understand how per-pupil spending works (hint: most individual pupils don't get the per-pupil amount -- they either get way less because they have no extra needs, or they get way more because they do have extra needs).

DCPS needs more money than charters because it does a lot more for a tougher population of children. The end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tubman’s budget was cut by $1.2 million costing them an estimated 12 positions. Suddenly DCPS says the hold harmless provisions no longer apply and they say the school will have an enrollment drop of 152. This is because they are in a swing space. It’s funny the Post article mentioned schools with smaller cuts but not this one.

+1

Tubman is getting totally screwed by this budget. A 9% DECREASE. Of course they lost enrollment when they moved to a swing space. EVERYBODY loses enrollment when they go to a swing space. To ditch a bunch of teachers for one year, when of course enrollment will go way up the next year in the new building, is absurd. Tubman has been improving so much (highest test score improvements in the city last year) and this is just a slap in the face.

Charter schools can cry me a river.

This is concerning as I'm looking to send my child to pre-k at Tubman next year. Will they presumably increase the budget again after moving back to the swing space or will this cause lingering damage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good to see all the WTU members responding when they should be teaching.

Not surprising that you all are more focused on the adults in the schools rather than the kids. "Rewarding unions is more important than funding students fairly," is a great summary of your orientation.

Who cares if it means that half the kids in the city will receive fewer resources. Their parents should have sent them to the failing school down the block because the teachers there are in a union.

Not a WTU member, not even a teacher, and I actually have beef with WTU because I blame them for keeping DCPS closed longer than it should have been during Covid.

But I do support paying teachers well. I've had kids in DCPS for 5 years and while I have lots of complaints about the school district and administration, we've had phenomenal teachers. Even the ones who were not a perfect fit for one of my kids were still fantastic teachers. And DCPS gets good quality teachers because they pay well. The district also rewards years of service and advanced education in a meaningful way. My kids have only ever had one teacher who didn't have a masters, and she was in a part-time masters program. We've had teachers who were 20 year veterans but who still learn new methods for teaching, stay up on the latest pedagogy, etc. Our school has been teaching phonics all along, for instance.

I think parents who have only ever experienced charters in DC sometimes don't realize that what they think are the problems in DCPS are not the problems. The teachers are NOT the problems in DCPS. That's a worthwhile place to spend funds.

DCPS went back before our non-unionized charter did. Every day I sat home with my kids and watched the DCPS kids going in and I resented it very much. Any mixed feelings I had about the WTU are much more positive than the negative feelings I had about our charter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read OP's link and it says funding for charter schools is INCREASING

Did you miss this paragraph?

"Overall, Bowser’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget would send $2.9 billion to public schools in the District — a $123 million increase over the 2025 budget. Her plan directs $75 million to D.C. Public Schools and $48 million to the city’s charter campuses."

Would you be OK with charter schools getting $75M more money while DCPS gets $48M?

DCPS has more students total, so yes.

I mean, DCPS has more students total, so obviously DCPS gets more.

But in this case DCPS is getting disproportionately more.

Per pupil funding is the same, yes? Do charters keep that funding if a student leaves after count day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read OP's link and it says funding for charter schools is INCREASING

Did you miss this paragraph?

"Overall, Bowser’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget would send $2.9 billion to public schools in the District — a $123 million increase over the 2025 budget. Her plan directs $75 million to D.C. Public Schools and $48 million to the city’s charter campuses."

Would you be OK with charter schools getting $75M more money while DCPS gets $48M?

DCPS has more students total, so yes.

I mean, DCPS has more students total, so obviously DCPS gets more.

But in this case DCPS is getting disproportionately more.

Per pupil funding is the same, yes? Do charters keep that funding if a student leaves after count day?

The difference is not in per pupil funding but in other allocated funds as described in the article. Did you read the article?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read OP's link and it says funding for charter schools is INCREASING

Did you miss this paragraph?

"Overall, Bowser’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget would send $2.9 billion to public schools in the District — a $123 million increase over the 2025 budget. Her plan directs $75 million to D.C. Public Schools and $48 million to the city’s charter campuses."

Would you be OK with charter schools getting $75M more money while DCPS gets $48M?

Yes I would. and I'm a parent who bridged the divide, with kids in both DCPS and charter.

For one, there are more kids in DCPS so obviously they should get more money. Secondly, I've seen firsthand how much more DCPS has to do because they are mandated to serve ALL students... Our previous school dealt identified and dealt with IEPs, ESL students, students facing homelessness etc.

Our charter works extremely well for my kid but it wouldn't work for any of the above groups. I'm still glad it exists. But I do think it makes sense for DCPS
To get more money.

[Anonymous]

Another reminder of entitled charter parents who want to have a bigger share of the pie at the expense of everyone else. You chose to leave the public system but still expect to get all the same benefits of that system? That is not how this works.

I used to do fundraising for a charter school and was so shocked at how the parents believed that because it was a public charter, that they shouldn't have to give and fundraise to support the school, and wanted the school to kick out any child with behavior issues or learning differences and looked down on DCPS parents. I am so glad to be gone from that job and will never work for a charter network ever again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read OP's link and it says funding for charter schools is INCREASING

Did you miss this paragraph?

"Overall, Bowser’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget would send $2.9 billion to public schools in the District — a $123 million increase over the 2025 budget. Her plan directs $75 million to D.C. Public Schools and $48 million to the city’s charter campuses."

Would you be OK with charter schools getting $75M more money while DCPS gets $48M?

DCPS has more students total, so yes.

I mean, DCPS has more students total, so obviously DCPS gets more.

But in this case DCPS is getting disproportionately more.

Per pupil funding is the same, yes? Do charters keep that funding if a student leaves after count day?

The difference is not in per pupil funding but in other allocated funds as described in the article. Did you read the article?

AGAIN you are missing that DCPS educates a bunch of kids who cost a lot more to educate than charters do. Much higher levels of SpEd, at-risk, ESL, etc. DCPS has to hire extra personnel with specific training to work with these kids, and in some cases has to pay them more. Thus DCPS gets more money.

Some of the very reasons you chose a charter over a DCPS school, likely, are precisely why DCPS needs more money. Stop being obtuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another reminder of entitled charter parents who want to have a bigger share of the pie at the expense of everyone else. You chose to leave the public system but still expect to get all the same benefits of that system? That is not how this works.

I used to do fundraising for a charter school and was so shocked at how the parents believed that because it was a public charter, that they shouldn't have to give and fundraise to support the school, and wanted the school to kick out any child with behavior issues or learning differences and looked down on DCPS parents. I am so glad to be gone from that job and will never work for a charter network ever again.

Not bigger. Just equal. Since charter schools educate almost the same number of students. And yes, many of the kids they serve also have special needs. Both of my children are among those in the district with special needs and have been well served by Charter Schools. One of mine has moved on to DCPS. I care about both, but asserting that children served by DCPS are more worthy of our support is short sighted to say the least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read OP's link and it says funding for charter schools is INCREASING

Did you miss this paragraph?

"Overall, Bowser’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget would send $2.9 billion to public schools in the District — a $123 million increase over the 2025 budget. Her plan directs $75 million to D.C. Public Schools and $48 million to the city’s charter campuses."

Would you be OK with charter schools getting $75M more money while DCPS gets $48M?

DCPS has more students total, so yes.

I mean, DCPS has more students total, so obviously DCPS gets more.

But in this case DCPS is getting disproportionately more.

Per pupil funding is the same, yes? Do charters keep that funding if a student leaves after count day?

The difference is not in per pupil funding but in other allocated funds as described in the article. Did you read the article?

AGAIN you are missing that DCPS educates a bunch of kids who cost a lot more to educate than charters do. Much higher levels of SpEd, at-risk, ESL, etc. DCPS has to hire extra personnel with specific training to work with these kids, and in some cases has to pay them more. Thus DCPS gets more money.

Some of the very reasons you chose a charter over a DCPS school, likely, are precisely why DCPS needs more money. Stop being obtuse.

No, I was actually questioning your reading comprehension as you had missed the point. Also my kids both have special needs and attended charters. Many kids with special needs and who are ESL attend charters. ALL of our city's students deserve equal access to a good education, regardless of which school they are zoned for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another reminder of entitled charter parents who want to have a bigger share of the pie at the expense of everyone else. You chose to leave the public system but still expect to get all the same benefits of that system? That is not how this works.

I used to do fundraising for a charter school and was so shocked at how the parents believed that because it was a public charter, that they shouldn't have to give and fundraise to support the school, and wanted the school to kick out any child with behavior issues or learning differences and looked down on DCPS parents. I am so glad to be gone from that job and will never work for a charter network ever again.

This. Talk to me when charter populations look like DCPS populations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read OP's link and it says funding for charter schools is INCREASING

Did you miss this paragraph?

"Overall, Bowser’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget would send $2.9 billion to public schools in the District — a $123 million increase over the 2025 budget. Her plan directs $75 million to D.C. Public Schools and $48 million to the city’s charter campuses."

Would you be OK with charter schools getting $75M more money while DCPS gets $48M?

DCPS has more students total, so yes.

I mean, DCPS has more students total, so obviously DCPS gets more.

But in this case DCPS is getting disproportionately more.

Per pupil funding is the same, yes? Do charters keep that funding if a student leaves after count day?

The difference is not in per pupil funding but in other allocated funds as described in the article. Did you read the article?

AGAIN you are missing that DCPS educates a bunch of kids who cost a lot more to educate than charters do. Much higher levels of SpEd, at-risk, ESL, etc. DCPS has to hire extra personnel with specific training to work with these kids, and in some cases has to pay them more. Thus DCPS gets more money.

Some of the very reasons you chose a charter over a DCPS school, likely, are precisely why DCPS needs more money. Stop being obtuse.

No, I was actually questioning your reading comprehension as you had missed the point. Also my kids both have special needs and attended charters. Many kids with special needs and who are ESL attend charters. ALL of our city's students deserve equal access to a good education, regardless of which school they are zoned for.

The kind of special needs where they need dedicated 1:1 aides all day? What percent of students at your charter are unhoused? What percent qualify for OSSE busing due to SpEd or at-risk status? What percent have a parent in jail or prison? What percent have no English speaking family at home?

You don't know what you are talking about. Do you think the extra money at DCPS is paying for enrichment programming for UMC kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another reminder of entitled charter parents who want to have a bigger share of the pie at the expense of everyone else. You chose to leave the public system but still expect to get all the same benefits of that system? That is not how this works.

I used to do fundraising for a charter school and was so shocked at how the parents believed that because it was a public charter, that they shouldn't have to give and fundraise to support the school, and wanted the school to kick out any child with behavior issues or learning differences and looked down on DCPS parents. I am so glad to be gone from that job and will never work for a charter network ever again.

This. Talk to me when charter populations look like DCPS populations.

So we should dramatically reduce funding for Ward 3 DCPS schools, yes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another reminder of entitled charter parents who want to have a bigger share of the pie at the expense of everyone else. You chose to leave the public system but still expect to get all the same benefits of that system? That is not how this works.

I used to do fundraising for a charter school and was so shocked at how the parents believed that because it was a public charter, that they shouldn't have to give and fundraise to support the school, and wanted the school to kick out any child with behavior issues or learning differences and looked down on DCPS parents. I am so glad to be gone from that job and will never work for a charter network ever again.

Not bigger. Just equal. Since charter schools educate almost the same number of students. And yes, many of the kids they serve also have special needs. Both of my children are among those in the district with special needs and have been well served by Charter Schools. One of mine has moved on to DCPS. I care about both, but asserting that children served by DCPS are more worthy of our support is short sighted to say the least.

If your kids were well served in charter schools even with special needs, it sounds like the charter is well funded. What is the issue? It doesn't sound like your school is underfunded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read OP's link and it says funding for charter schools is INCREASING

Did you miss this paragraph?

"Overall, Bowser’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget would send $2.9 billion to public schools in the District — a $123 million increase over the 2025 budget. Her plan directs $75 million to D.C. Public Schools and $48 million to the city’s charter campuses."

Would you be OK with charter schools getting $75M more money while DCPS gets $48M?

DCPS has more students total, so yes.

I mean, DCPS has more students total, so obviously DCPS gets more.

But in this case DCPS is getting disproportionately more.

Per pupil funding is the same, yes? Do charters keep that funding if a student leaves after count day?

The difference is not in per pupil funding but in other allocated funds as described in the article. Did you read the article?

AGAIN you are missing that DCPS educates a bunch of kids who cost a lot more to educate than charters do. Much higher levels of SpEd, at-risk, ESL, etc. DCPS has to hire extra personnel with specific training to work with these kids, and in some cases has to pay them more. Thus DCPS gets more money.

Some of the very reasons you chose a charter over a DCPS school, likely, are precisely why DCPS needs more money. Stop being obtuse.

No, I was actually questioning your reading comprehension as you had missed the point. Also my kids both have special needs and attended charters. Many kids with special needs and who are ESL attend charters. ALL of our city's students deserve equal access to a good education, regardless of which school they are zoned for.

The kind of special needs where they need dedicated 1:1 aides all day? What percent of students at your charter are unhoused? What percent qualify for OSSE busing due to SpEd or at-risk status? What percent have a parent in jail or prison? What percent have no English speaking family at home?

You don't know what you are talking about. Do you think the extra money at DCPS is paying for enrichment programming for UMC kids?

So you think the only help UMC kids could possibly need is enrichment programming? Be careful, your prejudice is showing.