The Washington D.C. Committee of the Whole convened on April 5, 2023, for a Budget Oversight Hearing led by Chairman Phil Mendelson. The meeting focused on the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget, with significant discussions surrounding funding for public charter schools, teacher compensation, and student safety.

The session began with testimony from Principal Coleman, who highlighted the challenges faced by schools due to a lack of additional funding for new students. Despite these challenges, he expressed relief that existing programs would remain intact thanks to additional funding from DCPs. However, he emphasized the critical need for School Resource Officers (SROs) to maintain safety within schools, urging the committee to reconsider any plans to remove them.

Pat Brantley from Friendship Public Charter School followed, expressing gratitude for certain aspects of the mayor's budget proposal, such as per pupil funding increases. However, she criticized the budget for shortchanging charter educators, particularly regarding pay equity. Brantley pointed out that the proposed budget would perpetuate inequities in teacher salaries, especially for experienced educators, and called for an increase in funding to address these disparities.

Ariel Johnson, Executive Director of the DC Charter School Alliance, echoed these concerns, arguing that the mayor's budget undervalues charter schools, which serve a predominantly Black and Brown student population. She urged the committee to reject the budget as it currently stands, citing a significant funding gap that would hinder the ability of charter schools to attract and retain quality educators.

Danielle Robinette from the Children's Law Center advocated for restoring cuts to the Division of Student Transportation and funding for attendance initiatives. She highlighted the detrimental impact of budget cuts on students with disabilities and the need for adequate resources to support their education.

Lester Johnson, CEO of Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School, expressed concern over the proposed budget's impact on adult education. He called for increased funding to support adult learners and restore critical programs that have been cut.

Clarice Mendoza Davis from Maya Angelou Schools emphasized the need for equitable compensation for educators serving marginalized youth. She urged the committee to align their spoken values with concrete investments in teacher salaries.

Kara Sharp, Executive Director of Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School, concluded the testimonies by warning that the proposed budget would create an unequal education system, limiting the ability of charter schools to provide fair compensation to their staff.

The hearing underscored a collective call for increased funding and equitable treatment of charter schools and their educators, as stakeholders expressed concerns about the long-term implications of the proposed budget on education quality and equity in Washington D.C. The committee is expected to consider these testimonies as they move forward with budget discussions and decisions.