7 months ago
WASHINGTON,DC (WUSA) -- The city's growing financial problems landed squarely on its 58 charter schools Thursday, when the city missed an expected payment to the schools of more than $100 million.
The schools, a part of the DC system for 12 years, are funded with public money and run by private enterprises that promise results for the tax dollars they receive.
About a third of students in the DC school system now attend charter schools, which often offer specialized programs of study such as performing arts or hospitality industry skills. In the 2009-2010 school year, officials expect about 28,000 District children to attend the schools.
The missed payment Thursday has raised the possibility some teachers will not receive paychecks this week.
"That is unacceptable," said DC City Councilman Kwame Brown, who has two children in the charter schools.
"I just think it's important that we pay our teachers. There's nothing important than our teachers. They're the most underpaid professionals that we have. We require so much out of them and, if teachers deserve a paycheck, if they work the hours, they deserve to be paid," Brown told 9NEWS NOW.
The missed payment is a result of several factors. Charter schools have budget years that begin in July. DC's city budget begins its year in October, and congress requires the city to have a balanced budget, which it currently has been unable to submit. Combine the different dates and requirements, and Thursday's missed payment is one result.
Brown would like to see the city use its contingency fund to pay the charters, but full payment would nearly demolish that fund, according to city budget watchers.
The chairman of the DC charter school board Tom Nido tells 9News Now that a compromise may soon emerge, with the city raiding that contingency fund for about half the money that is due, with the other half to come after budget hurdles are cleared.
"We think we've averted financial crisis for the schools and if there is a delay, it will be a matter of days and not a mater of weeks or months," Nido said.
"We expect to have this matter resolved to everybody's satisfaction by Friday, he said.
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