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REMARKS
Implementation and transparency issues in the Department of Education's budget
0:06:49
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69 sec
Council Member Joseph highlights ongoing concerns about implementation and transparency in various educational programs and services.
- High vacancy rates in early childhood education programs and long waitlists for preschool special education seats
- Drastic increases in due process case budgets, making it difficult to analyze true costs and plan for other funding needs
- Issues with school bus contracts, particularly affecting students with disabilities, students in temporary housing, and those in foster care
Rita Joseph
0:06:49
While funding and baselining all these programs is critical, I am also continually fighting for better transparency and better implementation of funding.
0:06:57
Delivering quality education for our student does not end when funds once funds are allocated in the budget.
0:07:04
That is only the beginning.
0:07:05
There continues to be concern about high vacancy rates in our early childhood education programs, long wait list for preschool special education seats, and mandated services.
0:07:15
The budget for due process case, which includes Carter and Connor cases, continue to grow, increasing from 645,700,000 at adoption to 1,300,000,000.0 in the executive plan for fiscal twenty twenty five.
0:07:30
Such drastic in year increases make it difficult to analyze the true cost and plan for other funding needs.
0:07:36
Schools, bus contracts need changes, and in the meantime many students, especially students with disabilities, students in temporary housing, and foster care face excessively long routes and delays.
0:07:49
Current contracts still does not allow for transportation after school day preventing students who rely on buses from fully participating after school and summer programming.