Testimony by Shannon Hodge for the Hearing on the Budget Before the Committee on Education & Committee of the Whole
June 4, 2020
My name is Shannon Hodge and I am testifying on behalf of FOCUS. I will also soon be assuming the role of Executive Director of the DC Charter School Alliance, a merger of FOCUS and the Association of Public Chartered Schools. Together, we will be the collective voice of advocacy for the District’s families who have chosen public charter schools as the option that best suits their children’s educational needs. I thank you for the invitation to offer testimony today on the District of Columbia’s FY 2021 Charter School Education Sector Budget.
It was reassuring when the Budget was released and Mayor Muriel Bowser affirmed her commitment to the District’s public schools by including a 3 percent increase in the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula. It was also incredibly reassuring when several members of this Council offered their full support to try to increase that amount to the full 4 percent first discussed before our City was affected by these terrible times in which we find ourselves.
We are grateful that the 2.2% increase to the school facilities allowance was also kept intact in the Mayor’s budget as well as $1.5 million for school-based mental health services. These investments are critical to ensure students have access to the instructional and health supports that will be necessary to have them back on track by Summer 2021. We look forward to working with the Education Committee and other members of the D.C. Council to ensure that these increases are part of the final budget so that students have what they need to thrive.
The budget also opens a path forward for charter schools to access DC government properties at the now closed Wilkinson Elementary School and Spingarn High School. The access to these facilities will help high quality schools expand. We are optimistic that these buildings will help reverse what has been a dearth of offerings of vacant taxpayer owned school buildings that could be leased to public charter schools for the betterment of the District’s families and neighborhoods.
That said, there are some critical areas that I would like to call your attention to as we attempt to overcome some very tall obstacles to reopening the education sector of the District. We know that public charter schools remain a vibrant part of the collective restart of learning, and I would like to share some of their needs, which should mirror DCPS needs.
● Clear Standards for Re-Opening: DC Health has to be committed to clear and specific standards for schools to reopen safely. Schools cannot be placed in a situation where they are liable for developing what are medically based expertly developed standards. It is the duty of the District’s Health Department to coordinate with education leaders from across the city from all levels of learning to develop workable standards that allow for safe education for all.
● Increase Investments for At-Risk: Additional investments are necessary for our most at-risk students. While we are thankful for the increase to the UPSFF, additional dollars should be targeted to increase the at-risk funding weight. It is these students who will need the most targeted assistance to ensure that our concerted efforts to make strides in closing the learning gap does not suffer setbacks.
● Funding Gaps for Mental Health: Mental and behavioral health must be continued sources of investment for youth in addition to increased education funds. The $1.5M in the Mayor’s budget is a good start, but more investment in DBH will be necessary. We can’t be made to choose between mental health support and learning support for students if we are going to adequately address learning loss and the emotional needs of our students.
● Citywide PPE: Under any scenario, costs for schools will be higher than the norm when we add expenses for PPE, meeting health/safety protocols, and standing up full or hybrid virtual school programs. We need a commitment from the City to provide these basics so we are not competing on a national market for masks and other PPE supplies.
● Keep Adult School Budgets Consistent: There was a regulation change last year by OSSE regarding adult schools receiving alternative education dollars. This change resulted in a 20% decline of budget for several schools serving adults and disconnected youth. This decline in funding cannot stand in a year where our adult schools will be helping students to up-skill and re-train for the workforce.
As I look ahead to my new position, I want to pledge today my commitment to use my leadership in this newly created organization as a willing partner. A partner with whom you can always reach out to for advice and with whom you can work. A partner who will praise and criticize when necessary but who will also work alongside you to find solutions to overcome, not just close, the opportunity gaps for students who need it most. It is a partnership that must succeed, as failure is a cost that is too high a price for our students, our families, our communities, and our city to pay.
Thank you and I am available to answer any questions that you may have.
