Teachers, trainers and partners press DCPS for more staffing, CTE funding and stable budgets
November 25, 2024 | Public Schools, DC, Agencies, Organizations, Executive, District of Columbia
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Multiple speakers used the FY26 hearing to press DC Public Schools for targeted staffing and program funding.
Kimberly Summey, athletic trainer at Anacostia High School, said DCPS currently employs only 14 athletic trainers and that the medical-supplies budget has been frozen at $60,000 since February 2014 despite rising costs. "Athletic trainers save lives," she said, and asked the district to fund hires (three more for high schools and roughly six for middle schools) and to repair or replace essential life-saving equipment.
Several educators described the human cost of prior budget instability. Maureen Perron read testimony for Jacqueline Seward Clements (Janney Elementary) describing how an initial budget proposal cut 16 positions and left schools understaffed, increasing teacher workloads and forcing staff to cover multiple roles. "Last year's proposed budget cuts were the most severe I've seen in my career within DCPS," the testimony said.
Career and technical education (CTE) advocates argued for increased CTE funding so students can access industry-standard equipment and certification; Dr. Jamelle Sewell said cosmetology students at Garnet Patterson gain licensure opportunities but programs lack modern tools and textbooks. Reading Partners DC (Barry Brinkley) described falling partner placements and asked DCPS to consider sustaining community tutoring in coordination with high-impact tutoring investments. "We know that reading is a civil right," Brinkley said.
Union leaders asked DCPS to depoliticize budgeting and fully fund special education, school libraries and social-emotional learning. Across testimonies, LSAT chairs and parents also asked for clearer timelines so schools receive stable funding earlier in the year and can avoid reactive summer restorations that follow council interventions.
DCPS responded that testimony will inform budget development, and officials reiterated a timeline for community engagement and budget delivery this winter and spring. No immediate staffing commitments were made during the hearing.
Kimberly Summey, athletic trainer at Anacostia High School, said DCPS currently employs only 14 athletic trainers and that the medical-supplies budget has been frozen at $60,000 since February 2014 despite rising costs. "Athletic trainers save lives," she said, and asked the district to fund hires (three more for high schools and roughly six for middle schools) and to repair or replace essential life-saving equipment.
Several educators described the human cost of prior budget instability. Maureen Perron read testimony for Jacqueline Seward Clements (Janney Elementary) describing how an initial budget proposal cut 16 positions and left schools understaffed, increasing teacher workloads and forcing staff to cover multiple roles. "Last year's proposed budget cuts were the most severe I've seen in my career within DCPS," the testimony said.
Career and technical education (CTE) advocates argued for increased CTE funding so students can access industry-standard equipment and certification; Dr. Jamelle Sewell said cosmetology students at Garnet Patterson gain licensure opportunities but programs lack modern tools and textbooks. Reading Partners DC (Barry Brinkley) described falling partner placements and asked DCPS to consider sustaining community tutoring in coordination with high-impact tutoring investments. "We know that reading is a civil right," Brinkley said.
Union leaders asked DCPS to depoliticize budgeting and fully fund special education, school libraries and social-emotional learning. Across testimonies, LSAT chairs and parents also asked for clearer timelines so schools receive stable funding earlier in the year and can avoid reactive summer restorations that follow council interventions.
DCPS responded that testimony will inform budget development, and officials reiterated a timeline for community engagement and budget delivery this winter and spring. No immediate staffing commitments were made during the hearing.
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