Congress bailed out the District after the beginning of the school year, making up the shortfall with $13 million in emergency federal funds.

The Budget Support Act reserved a portion of DCPS budget for charter school growth, creating confusion and conflict.

As of March 2000, budget uncertainty persists. Many schools remain disastrously underfunded and some may close.

• will force schools to close
  
• will degrade the educational quality of schools that otherwise would flourish
  
• will damage the credibility of the District government
  
• will deny equal treatment to over ten thousand D.C. children