Statement by Scott Pearson, Executive Director of the DC Public Charter School Board on Council Chair Kwame Brown’s Request for $3,000 Facilities Funding

For Immediate Release: 

Contact: Audrey Williams  202-328-2748

 

Washington, D.C. - The DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) thanks DC Council Chair Kwame Brown for his February 7 letter requesting the Mayor to restore the charter school facilities allowance to $3,000.  We welcome Chairman Brown’s leadership in support of fair and equal funding for public charter schools.

 

The reduction of the facilities allowance to $2,800 in Fiscal Year 2010 placed a significant financial burden on charter schools and required the use of federal funds, not intended for this purpose, to help make up the difference.  The revenue uncertainty caused by the funding cut has made it more difficult for public charter schools to accurately budget and to secure outside financing.  We therefore appreciate Chairman Brown’s request that the Mayor commit that the $3,000 amount be a floor in future budgets.

 

Public charter schools generally do not have access to the city’s capital budget, which is used to purchase, construct, and renovate DC Public School facilities.  The $3,000 facilities allowance is intended to provide charter schools with resources so that they, too, may properly house their schools and students.

 

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