DC: District changes budget process reducing school autonomy

Rhee says budget formula change will bring art, music to schools

Washington Post  May 26, 2008

The budget for DC schools reveals that the district has abandoned using a weighted funding policy in which money is allocated to schools on a per-pupil basis with certain students receiving a greater allocation because of poverty, second-language learning or special needs.  Schools then had a process of deciding how to spend their budget.  Although the new budget uses per-pupil allocation,  the process reduces school autonomy by mandating certain staffing requirements for schools.  The Chancellor for DC Schools, Michelle Rhee, says that this budget is part of keeping her promise to provide art and music in every elementary.