4432432 Joint Public Hearing Notice (Revised/Abbreviated) on B20-312, “Unified Public Education Lottery Act of 2013” and B20-313, “Comprehensive Planning and Utilization of School Facilities Act of 2013”

 

COUNCILMEMBER DAVID A. CATANIA

CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

And

COUNCILMEMBER KENYAN MCDUFFIE

CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

 

ANNOUNCE A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

on

Bill 20-312 “Unified Public Education Lottery Act of 2013”

Bill 20-313 “Comprehensive Planning and Utilization of School Facilities Act of 2013”

on

Tuesday, July 2^nd, 2013 at 9 a.m. in Hearing Room 412 (for Government Witnesses)

and

Wednesday, July 3^rd, 2013 at 9 a.m. in Hearing Room 412 (for Public Witnesses)

 

John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

Councilmember David A. Catania, Chairman of the Committee on Education, and Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Chairman of the Committee on Government Operations, announce the scheduling of a Joint Public Hearing by the Committee on Education on Bill 20-312, the Unified Public Education Lottery Act of 2013 and Bill 20-313, the Comprehensive Planning and Utilization of School Facilities Act of 2013.  The hearing for government witnesses will take place on Tuesday, July 2^nd, 2013 at 9 a.m. in room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, and the hearing for public witnesses will take place on Wednesday, July 3^rd, 2013 at 9 a.m. in room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building. This notice has been revised to reflect that the hearing will be held jointly by the two committees.

 

The purpose of the hearing is to provide the public with an opportunity to testify on two separate bills.  The Unified Public Education Lottery Act of 2013 would require the establishment of a unified lottery and common application for District of Columbia Public Schools and public charter schools.  The Act directs the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to establish a process for the unified lottery and amends Title 5 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations to establish a process for the unified lottery. 

 

The Comprehensive Planning and Utilization of School Facilities Act of 2013 would mandate an annual review of facilities utilization for the District of Columbia Public Schools and outlines a process for the designation and disposition of surplus DCPS properties. The Act would require the Department of General Services to make surplus school properties available to educational institutions for lease or purchase based on a three year right of first offer priority order. Additionally, the Act would allow the Public Charter School Board to challenge DCPS or the Department of General Services in Superior Court if it believes these agencies are not in compliance with the requirements of the Act.

 

 

Those who wish to testify are asked to contact Mr. Jamaal Jordan with the Committee on Education at [phone] or via email at [e-mail] and furnish their name, address, telephone number, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business on Monday, July 1st, 2013.  Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony.  If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee on Education, Council of the District of Columbia, Suite 119 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004.  The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17^th, 2013.