§ 38–1807.57. Preservation of school-based staff positions.

(a) Findings. — The Council of the District of Columbia finds that:

(1) In Fiscal Year 2006, the District of Columbia Public Schools (“DCPS”) will receive a core budget of $779,309,000 with additional funding in the amount of $21 million for the Superintendent’s school reform initiatives.

(2) Despite an overall increase in funding for DCPS, local schools have been forced to develop plans to reduce their workforces because the 3.07% increase in the uniform per student funding formula does not cover the average step increase of 4.77% included in collective bargaining agreements approved by the Mayor and Council.

(3) The Council believes that these reductions, which would come one year following the elimination of 500 school-based positions, are unacceptable and, if implemented, would be injurious to the DCPS.

(4) As a result, there is a need to avert layoffs of more than 300 staff at individual schools.

(5) DCPS should absorb the cost of the step increases from non-local school budget funds.

(b) Restrictions on reductions of school-based employees. — To the extent that a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent positions for the District of Columbia public schools is required to remain within the budget established for the public schools in appropriations acts, no reductions shall be made from the full-time equivalent positions for school-based teachers, principals, counselors, librarians, or other school-based educational positions that were established as of the end of Fiscal Year 2005, unless the Board of Education makes a determination based on student enrollment that:

(1) Fewer school-based positions are needed to maintain established pupil-to-staff ratios; or

(2) Reductions in positions for other than school-based employees are not practicable.

(c) Definition. — The term “school-based educational position” means a position located at a District of Columbia public school or other position providing direct support to students at such a school, including a position for a clerical, stenographic, or secretarial employee, but not including any part-time educational aide position.