When D.C. Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi reported to the D.C. Council in June that there were sufficient funds in the public schools 2010 and 2011 budgets to cover the cost of the newly negotiated teachers contract, he may have miscalculated. The DCPS fiscal 2011 budget for that category now appears to be at least $8 million short, according to knowledgeable city hall sources. When the city’s chief calculator can’t calculate accurately, we’re in deep trouble.
On June 21, in a statement to the council, Gandhi wrote “funds are sufficient in FY 2010 through 2013 … to implement the collective bargaining agreement.” He projected cost for salaries and benefits from 2010 through 2013 at $1.4 billion. Specifically, in fiscal 2011, which began Oct. 1, he said there was $350.7 million available, including $311 million for salaries and benefits, $12.7 from other adjustments and $27 million in federal payments.
