Stability Funding
The Basics
As DC Public Schools continue to experience shifts in enrollment, it is important that our funding model effectively supports schools of all sizes. Our funding model was designed to provide schools with year-over-year stability funds, (1) with safety net checks that ensure schools can afford a baseline level of services with their student-based funds and (2) with sustainability dollars that protect school budgets from the impact of rising costs.
If a school receives any stability funding allocations, they will be displayed individually on the initial allocation worksheet. Note that in any given budget year, there could be additional one-time stability funds provided to schools outside of the funding model. Those are not captured here.
Stability Funding in the DCPS School Funding Model
The funding model provides stability funding to schools in two distinct ways. Note that in any given budget year, there could be additional one-time stability funds provided to schools outside of the Funding Model. Those are not captured here.
Safety Net Supplement
The safety net supplement is provided to schools when their student-based funds do not generate enough dollars to provide a baseline of services (safety net). The model calculates the cost of the baseline services at every school based on the individual school’s enrollment and school type. If the amount of student-based funding generated by a school is not enough to afford the safety net, then the school is allocated a “safety net supplement,” which is the amount of funding the school would need to afford their safety net. Safety net funds are fully flexible.
ELC (PK3-PK4) | ES (PK-5) | PK-8 | MS | HS | EC2 | River Terrace | |
Teacher – General Education (ratios shown by grade as students: teacher) | N/A (ELC staff directly allocated) | K-2 20:1 3-5 25:1 | K-2 20:1 3-8 25:1 | 6-8 25:1 | 9-12 25:1 | 6-12 25:1 | N/A (SPED staff directly allocated) |
Assistant Principal | 1 Assistant Principal | 1 Assistant Principal for 400 students | 1 Assistant Principal for 400 students | 1 Assistant Principal | 1 Assistant Principal | 1 Assistant Principal for 400 students | 1 Assistant Principal |
Instructional Coach | 1 Instructional Coach | 1 Instructional Coach | 1 Instructional Coach | 1 Instructional Coach | 1 Instructional Coach | 1 Instructional Coach | 1 Instructional Coach |
Clerk | 1 Clerk | 1 Clerk | 1 Clerk | 1 Clerk | 1 Clerk | 1 Clerk | 1 Clerk |
Teacher – Related Arts | Enrollment up to 399: 3 FTEs Enrollment 400-599: 4.5 FTEs Enrollment above 600: 5.5 FTEs | Enrollment up to 399: 3 FTEs Enrollment 400-599: 4.5 FTEs Enrollment above 600: 5.5 FTEs | Enrollment up to 399: 3 FTEs Enrollment 400-599: 4.5 FTEs Enrollment above 600: 5.5 FTEs | Enrollment up to 399: 3 FTEs Enrollment 400-599: 4.5 FTEs Enrollment above 600: 5.5 FTEs | None | (Grades 6-8 only) Enrollment up to 399: 3 FTEs Enrollment 400-599: 4.5 FTEs Enrollment above 600: 5.5 FTEs | None |
What is it?
- An assurance that student-based funds (Mark and Ella) can afford a baseline level of services for all schools based on school type/size
What is it not?
- A direct allocation of items
- A guarantee that schools are budgeting these positions in this manner (where program requirements is important)
- The only way schools receive funding. Schools can budget for these and more positions using other funding streams
School Sustainability Fund (formerly Stabilization)
Schools receive sustainability funding to maintain an initial allocation amount that aligns with their prior year amended budget to ensure they can afford the appropriate number of classroom teachers in FY26. Sustainability funding is calculated by comparing schools’ FY26 formulaic budgets to their FY25 amended budgets (including any additional funds allocated by DC Council) inflated for increased costs and adjusted based on year-over-year changes to enrollment.
