Washington, DC—The D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE) will hold its monthly public meeting on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. As the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak continues to spread globally, the State Board is taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our members, staff, and public. Therefore, this meeting will be held as a video web conference. Materials for the State Board meetings can be found on our meeting website. For the most up-to-date information on the District’s COVID-19 response, please visit coronavirus.dc.gov. Members of the public wishing to provide testimony during the public meeting should email the State Board a copy of their written testimony [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021.
After drafting a letter to Mayor Bowser regarding the Fiscal Year 2022 budget and financial plan last month, the State Board will discuss the reduction of available federal and state funds for important and necessary educational programs in the District. The State Board will hear from a panel to discuss budget priorities and at-risk funding:
- Qubilah Huddleston, Policy Analyst, DC Fiscal Institute
- Chelsea Coffin, Director of the Education Policy Initiative, DC Policy Center
- Maya Martin Cadogan, Executive Director, PAVE
- Eduardo Ferrer, Policy Director of the Juvenile Justice Initiative, Georgetown University
National Women’s History Month increases awareness of the issues that women face due to historic and current systemic sexism, discrimination, and marginalization. The State Board recognizes and values the importance of culturally sustaining pedagogy, anti-sexism, and women’s voices as important elements of equity and excellence in education and celebrates the culture, contributions, achievements, and history of women of every age, race, ethnicity, and economic background.
Music in Schools Month is an annual celebration during March which engages music educators, students, and communities from around the country in promoting the benefits of music education programs in schools. Due to the pandemic, schools are faced with budgetary and safety constraints that threaten the existence of the arts—like music in schools. Now more than ever it is imperative to recognize the social and emotional benefits of music influence on a well-rounded education. The State Board recognizes and celebrates the 36th annual Music In Our Schools Month and the thousands of educators and students in the District who bring the joy of music to our city.
National Social Workers Month increases awareness of the ways social workers have supported public needs, including responding to increased mental and behavioral health crisis and rapidly pivoting to telehealth services to ensure the most vulnerable populations continue to be supported. The State Board recognizes, supports, and celebrates the thousands of social work professionals in the District, especially those supporting our families, students, and teachers during this difficult time.
Nannie Helen Burroughs spent her life committed to improving educational opportunities for Black women and girls. Burroughs was a committed civil rights activist who organized against lynching, advocated for women’s suffrage, and improved labor conditions for domestic workers. Burroughs was also a dedicated educator, suffragist, and civil rights activist who uplifted the Black community and challenged racial and gender discrimination throughout her life. Burroughs opened the National Training School for Women and Girls in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Ward 7 in 1909. This was the first school in the United States to offer a broad and rigorous academic curriculum, religious instruction, vocational training, and a boarding facility to its students. The State Board formally recognizes the life and legacy of Nannie Helen Burroughs, her unwavering commitment to equity and justice, and her significant contributions to improving the lives of generations of Black students.
Public Meeting Agenda
Please note that the agenda may be altered, modified, or updated without notice.
I. Call to Order
II. Announcement of a Quorum
III. Approval of the Agenda & Minutes
IV. Comments from the President of the D.C. State Board of Education
V. Comments from the State Superintendent of Education
VI. Ceremonial Resolutions
i. CR21-3 National Women's History Month
ii. CR21-4 Music in Schools Month
iii. CR21-5 Social Workers Month
iv. CR21-6 Nannie Helen Burroughs
VII. Public Comments
i. Written Testimony
ii. Laura Fuchs
iii. Jen Kane
iv. Cheril Perez
v. Fatima Toor
vi. Annie Wright
vii. Gricell Medley
viii. Ash Nicholes
VIII. Budget Priorities & At-Risk Funding
i. Qubilah Huddleston, Policy Analyst, DC Fiscal Policy Institute
ii. Chelsea Coffin, Director of the Education Policy Initiative, DC Policy Center
iii. Maya Martin Cadogan, Executive Director, PAVE
iv. Eduardo Ferrer, Policy Director of the Juvenile Justice Initiative, Georgetown University
IX. Administrative Items (VOTE)
i. All-Teacher Survey Report
X. New Business
XI. Adjournment
About the SBOE
The DC State Board of Education is an independent agency within the Government of the District of Columbia that advises the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), the District’s state education agency. The State Board is made up of nine elected representatives, each representing their respective wards, with one member representing DC at large, and two appointed student representatives. The State Board approves statewide education policies and sets academic standards, while OSSE oversees education within the District and manages federal education funding. More information about the SBOE can be found at sboe.dc.gov.
The Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education serves as an external, impartial resource for current and prospective public-school students and their parents or guardians in the resolution of complaints and concerns regarding public education in a way that furthers the students’ best interest. The Ombudsman’s Office uses conflict resolution strategies, including coaching, facilitation, and mediation, to assist families and schools experiencing disagreement or conflict.
The Office of the Student Advocate supports students, parents, and families in their advocacy through parent education, one-on-one coaching, resource supports, and trainings in order to amplify the voices of families and communities in processes and decision-making; to provide avenues for access to resources and understanding systems; and to support power families and communities already possess. Contact us Monday through Friday at (202) 741-4692 for questions or support with your charter and neighborhood schools.
For the latest information on the District Government’s response to COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
Contact: Milayo Olufemi
202-710-4641