[Ed. note: The following was submitted as written testimony to the DC council for the budget hearing on May 30 for various education agencies.] I am Valerie Jablow, a DC resident and education analyst, commenting on the mayor’s proposed budget with respect to charter facilities funds.  In the face of cuts to essential social services … Continue reading Saving Millions In Charter Facilities Funding

A few months later than normal (mainly because of fascist impoundment of DC local tax funds), the DC council has scheduled hearings for the newly released DC budget: Public charter school board, deputy mayor for education (DME), state board of education, education ombudsman, office of the student advocate: Friday May 30, 9:30 am; sign up and more information is … Continue reading Budget Oversight Hearings (And Other DC Democracy Concerns)

[Ed. Note: On May 5, the Capitol Hill Community Foundation held its 41st annual recognition of those who have served our community with distinction. One of the awardees this year was Stephanie Byrd, Payne Elementary’s principal since 2016. Byrd's brief speech that evening—reprinted below with her permission—not only underscores how vital her service has been to so many, … Continue reading “We Know Who We Are By The Way We Treat Our Children”