WASHINGTON (7News) — The D.C. Auditor has hired consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal to dig into how efficiently Washington, D.C. Public Schools spend taxpayer money.
“There’s just a lot of questions around what DCPS is spending and for what and what we’re getting, so that’s what we’re looking at,” D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson said.
Patterson said the review is motivated by D.C. Public School’s rising costs despite a decline in student enrollment.
D.C. Councilmembers questioned the DCPS Chancellor for two hours on Oct. 23, during a public budget oversight hearing. Council President Phil Mendelson questioned why DCPS’ per-student spending remains considerably higher than in other districts across the country.
The auditor expects the consultant’s review to be completed by Spring 2025. She told 7News, that it is her hope the findings will inform city council and public budget discussions in 2025.
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DCPS Chancellor Lewis Ferebee testified that he would cooperate with council oversight.
DCPS Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee testified that while funding has increased, the costs associated with running the schools have also risen sharply. (DC Council)
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“Perhaps everything is perfect,” Patterson said. “I doubt that but we’ll have a better sense of that soon.”
