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THE NEWS:

Mayor Muriel Bowser wants to increase spending for each student attending a public school by 4 percent—one of the biggest investments in recent years, per education onlookers. Meaning, schools on average would receive an 8 percent increase in their local budget.

If the Council approves the proposed budget, the investment translates to at least $11,400 in total spending per student enrolled in a traditional or charter public school in fiscal year 2021. 

FYI: Budgets are related to enrollment. So when classrooms shrink, schools typically face budget cuts. This dynamic is playing out in neighborhood schools in Wards 7 and 8. To better understand the DC Public Schools budget process, the Bowser administration also released a mobile-friendly guide. 

The DC Fiscal Policy Institute, for one, applauded the mayor’s proposal, calling it a step in the right direction. “This increase, with the promise to target additional funds to schools in Wards 7 and 8, where Black children experience the highest rates of child poverty in the District, show the Chancellor and Mayor’s commitment to fund schools more equitably,” the press release reads. “While four percent is a strong investment in our city’s students, more is needed to keep up with anticipated inflation and adequately fund all of our schools. A six percent increase to the [Uniform Per Student Funding Formula] would put us on a path to closing the adequacy gap within two years.” 

In other education news, emergency legislation to keep Washington Metropolitan Opportunity Academy open—at least temporarily—is up for a vote today. The bill signals the biggest victory so far for Washington Met students, who’ve spent the last couple months trying to prevent their alternative school from shuttering. Students and teachers had plans to visit the Wilson Building ahead of the vote, but the Washington Met administration nixed that by denying field trip requests. —Amanda Michelle Gomez(tips? Email agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)

CITY DESK LINKS, by Amanda Michelle Gomez:

  • Sen. Elizabeth Warren (MA) wins big at D.C.’s first-ever “satellite caucus.” Note: Bowser’s pick for president, Mike Bloomberg, didn’t earn any delegates. [WAMU, WCP] 

  • George Washington University president apologizes for comparing support for fossil fuel divestment to hypothetical support for shooting black people. [Post]

  • D.C. audit shows six-figure earners are the new normal, with more residents than ever before earning $100,001 and more. [BizJournal]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • D.C. Council to consider emergency legislation regulating Dragon’s Ascent. [WAMU]

  • DC Human Rights Office director Monica Palacio resigned. [Twitter] 

  • Adam Eidinger filed a complaint against Jack Evans for allegedly illegal use of his legal defense fund. [Twitter]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Why you should try the rockfish pla tod at Laos in Town. [WCP]

  • Kabob Palace threatens Arl Now over reporting about the measles. [Arl Now]

  • This new eatery serves a $98 grilled cheese but doesn’t want you to think of it as a hotel restaurant. [Washingtonian]

  • Hill East has a mailbox pantry to help with food insecurity. [DCist]

  • The cultural danger of linking Coronavirus to how Chinese people eat. [Eater]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • A local friar won the holiday edition of The Great American Baking Show. [Kojo Nnamdi Show]

  • Here are your 2020 Helen Hayes Awards nominees. [theatreWashington]

  • Head to a giant used book sale this Sunday. [ARLnow]

  • RIP, Calypso. We miss you already. [Post]

SPORTS LINKS, byKelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Bradley Beal scored 43 points, passing John Wall for third on the Wizards’ all-time scoring list, but the Wizards still lost to the Golden State Warriors, the worst team in the NBA, 125-117. [Bullets Forever]

  • According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Wizards could target Cavaliers centerTristan Thompson at the trade deadline. [NBC Sports Washington]

  • The 13th-ranked Maryland women’s basketball team scored a dominant win over Michigan State, 94-53. [Testudo Times]

  • Stanley Cup champion and former Capitals star Joel Ward will return to D.C. on Feb. 23 to participate in the ceremonial puck drop for the Capitals’ Black History Night. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]

MAKE PLANS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full To Do This Week newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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