(Washington, DC) – Deputy Mayor for Education De’Shawn Wright is convening a hearing that will give members of the public an opportunity to provide their input on shaping the DC Public Schools (DCPS) budget for Fiscal Year 2013.

The hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 at 5:30 pm at H.D. Woodson High School, 540 55th Street, NE.

“The education budget we are proposing for Fiscal year 2013 reflects my belief in the importance of education,” Mayor Vincent C. Gray said. “We are poised to build on our success, redouble our efforts and take whatever steps are necessary to accelerate improvement, raise graduation rates and help students move to advanced levels of achievement for all students in the District of Columbia.”

The purpose of the hearing is to solicit the views of the public on levels of public funding to be sought in the Fiscal Year 2013 operating budget for the public schools, pursuant to DC Official Code §38-917. Specifically, the Deputy Mayor wishes to receive testimony and exhibits regarding those subjects identified in § 38-917(4) of the code: 

• The current and prospective educational needs of the District’s publicly funded schools, including DCPS and DC Public Charter Schools, educational programs that can address these needs, and support systems needed for safety and efficiency;
• The relative levels of support provided in recent years and sought in the current budget requests for DCPS and other agencies of the District government that support youth;
• The programs and levels of funding supported by the findings of relevant professional studies and commissions (this portion of the relevant law indicates that the hearings will be open to experts – such as policymakers and think tanks – who wish to discuss data that suggest best practices and recommended funding strategies); and,
• The levels of funding for public-school systems in surrounding jurisdictions that have reputations for providing high-quality education to their students.

Members of the public are invited to testify. Testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes per witness and five (5) minutes per organization or group.

Those wishing to testify should contact Joshua Thompson in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education via e-mail at joshua.thompson@dc.gov or by telephone at (202) 701-9289 no later than 4 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012.

Witnesses should bring three (3) copies of their written testimony to the hearing.

Members of the public may submit written testimony, which will be made part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012 to Mr. Thompson:

Via e-mail: joshua.thompson@dc.gov

Via US Mail: Joshua Thompson, Special Assistant
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 303
Washington, DC 20004

The official record of this hearing will be transmitted to the Council of the District of Columbia at or before the hearing held by the Council, pursuant to DC Official Code § 38-917(3).

If there are members of the public who need interpretation services, please contact Mr. Thompson via e-mail at joshua.thompson@dc.gov or by telephone at (202) 701-9289.