Education

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 17, 2026

B 26-0624: Elizabeth M. Goodman Health School Redesignation Act of 2026

This bill redesignates the Sharpe Health School at 4300 13th Street, NW in Ward 4 to the Elizabeth M. Goodman Health School. The change honors Elizabeth M. Goodman, a longtime educator who led the Visiting Instruction Corps and served as principal of the Health School from 1952, where she expanded services for students with disabilities and medical needs. The legislation follows a community-driven review process that included input from families, former students, and local leadership, with Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C formally supporting the renaming. The act takes effect after approval by the Mayor and completion of a 30-day congressional review period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors a longtime educator who expanded services for students with disabilities and medical needs, strengthening educational access and recognizing educational leadership.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jun 12, 2026

PR 26-0582: Friendship Public Charter School, Inc. Revenue Bonds Project Approval Resolution of 2026

This resolution authorizes the District of Columbia to issue up to $90 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to support Friendship Public Charter School, Inc. The funds will be used to refinance existing debt from 2016 and finance renovations at several school campuses across Ward 7 and other locations in the District. The bonds are structured so that the District of Columbia has no financial liability or obligation to repay them, meaning the school corporation alone is responsible for the debt. This measure allows the school to access financing for capital improvements without creating a general obligation debt for the District.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $90M in tax-exempt revenue bonds to fund school renovations and refinance debt, increasing funding for public education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes $90M in bonds to refinance debt and fund renovations at school campuses, directly improving school infrastructure and supporting educational facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds School Choice

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 20, 2026

B 26-0628: Public Trash and Recycling Container Budgeting Act of 2026

This bill requires the Mayor of the District of Columbia to include the cost of secure, rodent-resistant trash and recycling containers in the budget for specific public infrastructure projects, including school, park, and recreation center renovations, sidewalk replacements, and curb extensions. Currently, many public waste containers have open lids that allow pests to access trash and contribute to litter and sanitation issues, so this legislation mandates replacing these with front-loading, secure units at project sites starting in Fiscal Year 2027. By integrating the higher upfront cost of these improved containers into capital improvement budgets, the bill aims to address long-term maintenance and sanitation challenges associated with public waste management infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates inclusion of trash container costs in public infrastructure budgets, strengthening fiscal management and funding essential sanitation services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves school infrastructure by requiring pest-resistant trash containers in school renovations, enhancing sanitation and learning environment.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates secure, rodent-resistant trash containers to reduce litter and sanitation issues, directly supporting environmental protection and pollution control.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Recycling Waste Management

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 9, 2026

B 26-0592: Lottery Preference for Families Impacted by School Closures Amendment Act of 2026

This bill requires District of Columbia public charter schools and public schools to give admission preference in the annual school lottery to students who attended a school that closed during the current or immediately preceding school year. It directly affects families displaced by sudden school closures - such as those from charter schools with revoked or relinquished charters, or DCPS schools determined to close - by ensuring these students receive priority access to available seats during the lottery process. The preference applies whether the closure announcement occurs during the active lottery period or before it begins, allowing displaced students to compete for spots alongside those who participated in the full lottery cycle. This policy change aims to mitigate disruptions caused by school closures, which research links to long-term negative impacts on students' education and future opportunities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by prioritizing displaced students from closed schools in school lotteries, directly supporting affected families' continuity in education.90% confidence

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 6, 2026

B 26-0569: DC Student Loan Authority Establishment Act of 2026

The DC Student Loan Authority Establishment Act of 2026 (B 26-0569) creates a public lending institution to provide new student loans and refinance existing debt for District of Columbia residents. It directly affects D.C. residents by offering loans with no application fees, 0% interest on the first $5,000, monthly payments capped at 10% of discretionary income, and repayment terms up to 30 years. Borrowers who complete 10 years of full-time public service (including education roles) may qualify for remaining debt discharge. The Authority, overseen by a 7-member board, must keep loan servicing in-house and publish annual financial reports. This replaces high-cost private loans with a public alternative focused on affordability and flexibility.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates affordable student loans with public service benefits for education careers, expanding higher education access and reducing debt burden for DC residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 16, 2026

PR 26-0494: Collective Bargaining Agreement between the University of the District of Columbia and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500, CtW Approval Resolution of 2025

This resolution (PR 26-0494) approves a collective bargaining agreement between the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and SEIU Local 500, CtW for UDC adjunct faculty. It establishes new pay rates: a minimum $1,200 per credit for the 2025-2026 academic year, increasing to $1,260 per credit for 2026-2027, along with a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment in 2026-2027. The agreement also provides one-time time-in-service bonuses ($500-$1,500 for 5-15 years of service) and raises course cancellation fees from $400 to $450. The resolution requires Council approval for the compensation terms, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, with an estimated total cost of $546,758 over the agreement period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationApproves higher pay rates ($1,200-$1,260/credit) and benefits for UDC adjunct faculty, directly supporting educators through improved compensation and job security in higher education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentApproves collective bargaining agreement with higher pay rates ($1,200-$1,260/credit), COLA, and service bonuses for adjunct faculty, strengthening worker compensation and rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Collective Bargaining

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Dec 19, 2025

CER 26-0114: Washington School for Girls Expansion Recognition Resolution of 2025

This ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0114) formally recognizes the Washington School for Girls' campus expansion at D.C.'s Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC), scheduled for a December 9, 2025 ribbon-cutting. It celebrates the $25 million, 33,000-square-foot facility - featuring expanded classrooms, labs, and outdoor learning spaces - as a milestone for the school serving girls in grades 3-8 from underserved communities. The resolution has no binding effect, as it only expresses the Council's endorsement of the expansion's significance for educational equity and community development.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCelebrates $25M facility expansion for underserved girls' K-8 education, indicating supportive stance on school infrastructure and access85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Dec 26, 2025

PR 26-0439: Modification Nos. 6 and 7 to Contract No. DCAM-22-CS-RFP-0019 with Smoot Construction Company of Washington, DC Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution approves two contract modifications ($61.46 million total) for Smoot Construction Company to build and stabilize the DC Infrastructure Academy at Spingarn High School. It specifically authorizes payment for additional construction work under Contract No. DCAM-22-CS-RFP-0019, including $999,990 for Modification No. 6 (already implemented) and $2,099,032 for proposed Modification No. 7. The resolution designates this as an emergency to expedite approval under District law, requiring only a single reading by the Council. The direct effect is enabling Smoot Construction to continue work on the academy project without further budgetary delays.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes $61.46M for construction/stabilization of DC Infrastructure Academy at Spingarn High School, directly improving school infrastructure per education topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Dec 26, 2025

PR 26-0474: Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy Revenue Bonds Project Emergency Approval Resolution of 2025

This resolution authorizes the issuance of up to $25 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to refinance existing debt and fund specific facility improvements at Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy. The funds will modernize classrooms, science laboratories, the gymnasium, and ancillary facilities at the school's Ward 7 campus (3701 Hayes Street NE). Crucially, the District of Columbia will not be liable for repayment or obligated to use public funds, as the bonds are structured without recourse to the District under the Home Rule Act. This is a procedural resolution enabling the school to access financing for infrastructure upgrades without creating a public debt obligation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds facility modernization at public charter school, aligning with infrastructure support indicators for education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 13, 2026

PR 26-0493: Modification Nos. M004 and M008 to Contract No. DCRL-2024-D-0073 with the All Pro All Services Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This bill approves two contract modifications ($M004$ and $M008$) for a school transportation service contract with All Pro All Services (APAS), increasing the total contract value from $1.62 million to $2.97 million. It authorizes retroactive payment for services provided to approximately 50-60 Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) clients from August 2024 through August 2025. The modifications cover an additional $418,765 for extended services beyond the original contract scope, ensuring APAS can be paid for work already completed. The resolution designates this as an emergency to expedite payment approval without full legislative review.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationApproves $1.35M increase in school transportation contract funding to cover extended services for 50-60 students, enhancing educational access and infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationApproves $1.35M funding increase for school transportation services, directly supporting public transit infrastructure via contract modifications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation