Rhee to Council: Budget Cuts Equal Teacher Cuts
Robyn Twomey
Michelle Rhee has another reason to use that broom.
WASHINGTON -- D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee warned the D.C. Council that their decision to reduce the schools budget by $27.5 million forces the school system to eliminate positions immediately, D.C. Wire reported.
"DCPS no longer has $27.5 million allocated to schools as part of the FY 2010 budget," Rhee wrote to Council Chairman Vincent Gray. "While it may be restored well after the school year opens, it is simply too late to staff schools. As such, we have no choice but to reduce school budgets and eliminate positions now."
The money will be restored if a projected 3,000 student enrollment increase becomes reality, but the council is skeptical, and Rhee said getting the funds later won't make a difference, D.C. Wire reported. The cuts have to be made now.
The public schools will have 338 fewer teaching positions next year, Rhee said.
