If improving the transparency and equity of DC school financing are on your wish list this holiday season, you will be pleased to know the District of Columbia Public Education Finance Reform Commission is on the case. The Commission, an independent body established as a result of legislation adopted in 2010, is charged with examining and making data-driven recommendations for revising the methods used to fund DC Public Schools and public charter schools: the “Uniform Per Student Funding Formula.” The Commission is specifically required to explore issues of “equity, adequacy, affordability, and transparency” faced by both traditional public schools and public charter schools. The legislation text can be found here: DC Code § 38-2914- Public Education Finance Reform Commission.
The Commission will hold four meetings between now and January 31st — an aggressive timeline that will allow them to deliver recommendations to Mayor Gray as he develops his Fiscal Year 2013 budget. The next meeting will take place this Wednesday, December 21st from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Friendship Chamberlain Charter School (1345 Potomac Ave SE 20003). Background documents, including agendas, notes, and audio recordings of the past three public meetings can be found on the Commission website at http://www.pefrc.org/.
In addition to attending meetings to offer public input, you can offer feedback to the Commission in the following ways:
- E-mail: info@pefrc.org.
- Call: 1-202-688-5438. Note: you must dial 1+202 in order to place the call successfully.
- Engage with social media: Like the Commission on Facebook and follow or mention @dcpefrc on Twitter.
Background documents for each meeting are posted in advance, so that the public can comment, and materials from the proceedings of each meeting are posted afterwards.
In full disclosure, DCFPI’s executive director, Ed Lazere, serves as the Commission Chair, but DCFPI would be following the proceedings carefully in any case. We hope you look forward to the work of the Commission as we do.
