CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

&

COUNCILMEMBER DAVID GROSSO

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

ANNOUNCE A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

On

B23-0488, the “Student Activity Fund Theatrical and Music Performance Expenditures Act of 2019;”

B23-0569, the “District of Columbia Public Schools Family and School Community Fundraising Equity Act of 2019;”

And

B23-0365, the “Critical Risk Rate School Funding Designation Act of 2019;”

On

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

11:00 A.M., Hearing Room 412, John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

            Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember David Grosso announce the scheduling of a joint public hearing of the Committee of the Whole and the Committee on Education on B23-0488, the “Student Activity Fund Theatrical and Music Performance Expenditures Act of 2019;” B23-0569, the “District of Columbia Public Schools Family and School Community Fundraising Equity Act of 2019;” and B23-0365, the “Critical Risk Rate School Funding Designation Act of 2019.”  The hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 11:00 A.M in room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building.

The stated purpose of B23-0488 is to establish that expenditures on school-administered theatrical and music performances shall be an allowable expenditure from a school's Student Activity Fund. Theatrical and music performances include the planning, rehearsal, or presentation of a musical, staged play, choral production, orchestral or band concert, variety show, improvised or sketch comedy performance, or other live performance. The stated purpose of B23-0569 is to establish reporting requirements and limitations on soliciting and allocating funds for fundraising by family or school community organizations, including parent teacher organizations, parent teacher student organizations, and home school associations. It also establishes guidelines for redistributing funds. The stated purpose of B23-0365 is to create a new category to allow for additional funding to schools that have an at-risk student population of 70 percent and above.

Those who wish to testify may sign-up online at bit.do/EducationHearings or call the Committee on Education at (202) 724-8061 by 5:00pm on Friday, March 6, 2020. Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 10-15 copies of written testimony. Witnesses appearing on his or her own behalf should limit their testimony to three minutes; witnesses representing organizations should limit their testimony to five minutes. 

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Statements should be submitted by email to Ashley Strange, Committee Assistant, at astrange@dccouncil.us, or by post to the Committee on Education, Council of the District of Columbia, Suite 116 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

Witnesses who anticipate needing spoken language interpretation, or require sign language interpretation, are requested to inform Education Committee of the need as soon as possible but no later than five (5) business days before the proceeding. We will make every effort to fulfill timely requests, however requests received in less than five (5) business days may not be fulfilled and alternatives may be offered.