Gandhi won't certify D.C. teachers' contract; Fenty hints that money has been found
 D.C. Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi.(Marvin Joseph -- The Washington Post) |
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, April 30, 2010; 1:02 PM
The District's chief financial officer told the D.C. Council on Friday that he cannot certify the proposed teachers' contract as fiscally sound because the city has yet to demonstrate that there is enough money to pay for it.
Gandhi told the council that city officials face a $28 million gap in funding the contract during the current fiscal year and a $135.6 shortfall through 2013. In recent days, he said, school officials have made progress in recommending savings and other measures that would partially close the gap. But it still leaves the contract underfunded by $10.7 million in the current fiscal year, he said.
Gandhi reiterated that D.C. school officials cannot use the $21 million available from a group of four private foundations because it comes with conditions that are unacceptable, including the right to reconsider their commitment in the case of a leadership change in the schools system.
"At this time, we cannot certify the use of private foundation funds to support salary and benefits under the tentative agreement," Gandhi said in his prepared testimony.
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) would not comment on Gandhi's decision not to certify the contract, considered by many to be a model for other jurisdictions across the country. But Fenty said his administration is planning a "press availability" for 3:15 p.m. Friday to discuss the contract, and hinted that the funding has been found.
Asked whether the contract is his No. 1 priority, Fenty said, "That's an understatement. We will work to get the teacher contract funded."
Fenty made his comments at a new playground at Eaton Elementary School in Northwest, where parents applauded his efforts to improve school facilities. Council members Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) and Kwame R. Brown (D-At Large), whose two children attend Eaton, were also on hand for the ribbon-cutting.
Gandhi reiterated that D.C. school officials cannot use the $21 million available from a group of four private foundations because it comes with conditions that are unacceptable, including the right to reconsider their commitment in the case of a leadership change in the schools system.
"At this time, we cannot certify the use of private foundation funds to support salary and benefits under the tentative agreement," Gandhi said in his prepared testimony.
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) would not comment on Gandhi's decision not to certify the contract, considered by many to be a model for other jurisdictions across the country. But Fenty said his administration is planning a "press availability" for 3:15 p.m. Friday to discuss the contract, and hinted that the funding has been found.
Asked whether the contract is his No. 1 priority, Fenty said, "That's an understatement. We will work to get the teacher contract funded."
Fenty made his comments at a new playground at Eaton Elementary School in Northwest, where parents applauded his efforts to improve school facilities. Council members Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) and Kwame R. Brown (D-At Large), whose two children attend Eaton, were also on hand for the ribbon-cutting.
In an interview after the event, Fenty said he has been briefed three times a day on the ongoing discussions between members of his administration and Gandhi's office. He said schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee, city administrator Neil O. Albert and Attorney General Peter Nickles have been his point people on the issue. He said he has not talked to Gandhi directly since he presented the budget to the council April 12.