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Leaving Children Behind:
The Underfunding of D.C. Public Schools Building Repair and Capital Budget Needs

A Parents United for the D.C. Public Schools
Civic Leader Advisory Committee Report
July 2003

FULLY FUNDING THE DC PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITY MASTER PLAN

DCPS estimates that more than $2 billion will be required to address the DCPS facility needs that have been identified. [9]   Nearly every other urban school district in the country faces a similar challenge.  However, unlike the District, most urban school districts throughout the United States are able to fund their school renovation and modernization through a combination of state and local funds.  Because of the District’s unique governance structure, this financing arrangement is not available.

The magnitude of the $2 billion financial commitment required by the Master Plan can be put into perspective by reviewing the pattern of DCPS capital expenditures between FY 1990 and FY 2003 set forth in the chart below.  As the chart shows, an average of only $18 million was provided annually for school facilities between 1990 and 1996 – with no capital funds at all provided in FY 1996.  At $18 million of annual capital expenditure, it would take over 100 years to “modernize” the District’s public schools (not even accounting for inflation and also ignoring the fact that, by year 100, the schools modernized originally would then again be in disrepair).  In 1997, capital expenditures increased to $92.2 million, thanks to $60 million derived from federal sources. [10]   In the FY 1999 budget, capital projects to modernize or replace school buildings were approved for the first time in 20 years and, from FY 2001 through FY 2003 capital expenditures for DCPS have exceeded $100 million annually.