Fenty's FY '09 school budget and new pre-K plan
Issue date: 3/23/08 Section: Neighborhood
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Public School (DCPS) Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso, have announced details of the DCPS FY '09 school budget and unveiled the administration's plan to expand the city's pre-kindergarten initiative.
Since appointing Rhee as Chancellor more than nine months ago, Fenty has made significant structural, operational and financial changes that will bring about educational benefits to children across the District. The school budget reflects these much needed changes and will be included in the Mayor's budget, which will be released today.
"The DCPS '09 budget reflects the addition of many of the new and exciting initiatives this administration has in store for the DC Public School System," said Mayor Fenty. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. As we continue to direct more resources to classrooms and to the schools, District parents, students and residents can expect positive changes in our system."
Increasing classroom resources is the number one priority, said Chancellor Rhee. "Going forward, we will continue to provide schools with additional teachers and support staff needed to raise the achievement levels of our children," she added.
Budget Highlights
The FY '09 total budget includes $773 million for the school system. With 23 schools slated to close starting next school year, monies allocated for schools increased to $537 million from $493 million in FY '08. This increase signals the Chancellor and the Mayor's commitment to ensuring classrooms across the school district realize financial benefits for new programs and additional staffing. such as:
Universal Pre-K Plan
Providing access to universal pre-k for 3- and 4-year-olds is a critical component of improving educational outcomes in the District. The Fenty Administration has a bold vision for creating a system of high quality pre-k programs. Beginning this school year, the school system will focus on four primary goals to including:
Leading the way in increasing the number of quality programs in classrooms over the next five years, and ensuring every elementary school has a quality early childhood program. Chancellor Rhee also will develop a rigorous professional development and an assessment and intervention model to support teachers and schools in reaching a higher quality level.
Since appointing Rhee as Chancellor more than nine months ago, Fenty has made significant structural, operational and financial changes that will bring about educational benefits to children across the District. The school budget reflects these much needed changes and will be included in the Mayor's budget, which will be released today.
"The DCPS '09 budget reflects the addition of many of the new and exciting initiatives this administration has in store for the DC Public School System," said Mayor Fenty. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. As we continue to direct more resources to classrooms and to the schools, District parents, students and residents can expect positive changes in our system."
Increasing classroom resources is the number one priority, said Chancellor Rhee. "Going forward, we will continue to provide schools with additional teachers and support staff needed to raise the achievement levels of our children," she added.
Budget Highlights
The FY '09 total budget includes $773 million for the school system. With 23 schools slated to close starting next school year, monies allocated for schools increased to $537 million from $493 million in FY '08. This increase signals the Chancellor and the Mayor's commitment to ensuring classrooms across the school district realize financial benefits for new programs and additional staffing. such as:
Universal Pre-K Plan
Providing access to universal pre-k for 3- and 4-year-olds is a critical component of improving educational outcomes in the District. The Fenty Administration has a bold vision for creating a system of high quality pre-k programs. Beginning this school year, the school system will focus on four primary goals to including:
Leading the way in increasing the number of quality programs in classrooms over the next five years, and ensuring every elementary school has a quality early childhood program. Chancellor Rhee also will develop a rigorous professional development and an assessment and intervention model to support teachers and schools in reaching a higher quality level.
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