Jessica Giles, State Director of Education Reform Now DC (ERN DC), delivers testimony in favor of Mayor Bowser’s FY2022 budget and fiscal plan
WASHINGTON, D.C., (June 4, 2021) – Jessica Giles, State Director of Education Reform Now DC (ERN DC), delivered testimony today in favor of Mayor Bowser’s FY2022 budget and fiscal plan. The proposal outlines many critical investments that prioritizes community and with the inclusion of ERN’s priorities, can significantly advance educational equity among students.
Low-income communities and communities of color are currently experiencing concurrent crises in Washington, D.C. Over 80 percent of Coronavirus cases have disproportionately affected the Black community. Gun violence and homicide rates remain rampant. Workforce opportunities have narrowed and therefore have created job, food, and housing insecurity. For these reasons, and so many more, ERN remains deeply concerned about how these “at-risk” communities are not only coping and managing, but ultimately being supported.
Mayor Bowser recognizes the urgency of a budget reflecting critical investments for students in these unprecedented times and has consequently allocated a total of $8 million for school-based mental health services. Although ERN finds the Mayor’s investments to be vital and a testament to her commitment to the mental and emotional support of DCPS and charter school students, Director Giles recommends three key improvements be considered:
Provide more significant support to students who are considered “at-risk” – To ensure the budget fully reflects the needs of our “at-risk” students, the budget must fully address vaccination access and hesitancy, specifically in Wards 7 and 8. Each year ERN urges the DC Council to raise the at-risk weight to move closer to fully funding the need and each year, ERN falls short. It is highly recommended that the DC Council further investigate and utilize the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act funding to support the learning and well-being of “at-risk” students.
Fully fund the expansion of school-based mental health (SBMH) to all remaining schools – While Mayor Bowser has allocated $5.8 million to the Department of Behavioral Health for SBMH, there is still an $841,000 gap to cover the real costs of providing services to all DCPS and public charter schools. ERN urges the DC Council to fill the gap by providing an additional $1.5 million in one-time federal dollars from the ARP to cover the costs. Findings also indicate there is a need for $4 million to restore funding for Community Based Behavioral Health Services back to FY20 levels.
Ensure funding equity – While the proposed budget contains many crucial investments that ERN applauds, Director Giles raised concern about budget inequities between DCPS and public charter schools. To ensure funding equity, ERN urges the DC Council to increase facilities allowance and establish equity in stabilization funding for DCPS and public charter schools.
By implementing the aforementioned improvements to Mayor Bowser’s budget proposal, ERN believes the DC Council can facilitate the much-needed expansion in civic education and empowerment that will reflect the needs of all DCPS and charter students, particularly in the most marginalized and vulnerable communities.
