WASHINGTON -- D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee is attempting to change D.C. Council's decision to strip $27.5 million from the city's schools in the upcoming budget.
Council members have said they're skeptical of projections that enrollment will grow by 3,000 students next year. The money diverted from the budget has been set aside pending an audit of the projected school enrollment in the fall.
Meanwhile, Rhee is lobbying members individually and focusing on local school budgets for cuts in case the $27.5 million reduction stands.
She said her projections are backed by a study commissioned from three think tanks. Although completed weeks ago, its results weren't given to the Council while it discussed the school budget, which Councilwoman Mary Cheh criticized.
Negotiations between Rhee and the Council will likely continue this week.
