5523973 Resolution 21-105, Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools Salary Adjustment Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2015

A RESOLUTION

 

21-105

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

June 2, 2015

 

 

To declare the existence of an emergency, due to congressional review, with respect to the need to amend the District of Columbia Government Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978 to approve the salary adjustment for the Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools.

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools Salary Adjustment Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2015”.

 

Sec. 2. (a) Kaya Henderson was appointed Interim Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools (“DCPS”)  on November 1, 2010, following the resignation of Michelle Rhee. On March 11, 2011, she was nominated to serve as Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools.  Chancellor Henderson was unanimously confirmed by the Council on June 21, 2011, and has served as Chancellor continuously since that time.

            (b) Over the past 4 years under Chancellor Henderson’s leadership, DCPS has realized dramatic improvements towards the goals of increasing District-wide math and reading proficiency, improving the proficiency rates of the DCPS’ 40 lowest-performing schools, increasing high school graduation rates, increasing student satisfaction, and increasing overall DCPS enrollment.

            (c) DCPS has increased audited enrollment to the highest level in over 5 years, with 3 consecutive years of growth.  In 2014, DCPS students reached their highest proficiency rates ever in reading and math.  Graduation rates have been growing steadily each year with a goal of 75% in 2017.  In-seat attendance has increased to 89% and truancy has been reduced by 18%. Since 2011, the results of the National Assessment of Education Progress show District students improved in math and reading and demonstrated the greatest growth of any state in the nation.

            (d) Based on the dramatic improvements achieved under the steady leadership of the Chancellor over the last 4 years and the commitment to continuing the progress of DCPS, the Mayor signed a new contract and made an adjustment to the Chancellor’s salary to $284,000.

(e) On March 3, 2015, the Council passed emergency legislation, the Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools Salary Adjustment Emergency Amendment Act of 2015, effective March 3, 2015 (D.C. Act 21-0027; 62 DCR 4527), to effectuate this change. It was retroactive to January 2, 2015, and expired on April 2, 2015.

(f) Temporary legislation, the Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools Salary Adjustment Temporary Amendment Act of 2015, enacted on March 30, 2015 (D.C. Act 21-40; 62 DCR 4558) and transmitted to Congress for the 30-day review period required by section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). It is projected to become law on June 4, 2015.

(g) A congressional review emergency with retroactive applicability is needed to prevent a gap in the law as the Chancellor has already begun receiving the adjusted salary. The permanent legislation was included as part of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Support Act of 2015, Bill 21-157, which was recently approved by the Council on first reading.

 

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools Salary Adjustment Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2015 be adopted after a single reading.

 

 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.