DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson is attempting to slow down and effectively block the WTU from negotiating IMPACT. The WTU needs the DC Council to repeal D.C. Code § 1–617.18 (that prevents the WTU from negotiating our evaluation) so we can negotiate IMPACT, not another task force with outside entities telling us what is best for our members. We can use the proposed $900,000 for this task force to fully fund Green Card Applications and more that will actually help educators.

By proposing this task force, Chair Mendelson is attempting to hire a third party (likely funded by the same lobbyists who want to keep IMPACT) and have Principals and WTU Members chosen by him to spend months coming up with recommendations that have no clear end goal. The WTU and our Membership deserve the right to vote on our evaluation system, not have it dictated for us by people who have no real connection to our classrooms and are funded by those with a vested interest in preserving the status quo.

Our Demands:

1. DC Council should defund and reject the language in the Budget Support Act proposal for an IMPACT Task Force and repurpose the proposed $900k for ideas that actually help educators.
2. DC Council must restore and increase the specific line item in the Budget Support Act from FY26 to $300,000 to support our International Educators pathway to a Green Card to pressure DCPS to spend FY26 funds and continue the program next SY to save over 200 educators from deportation.

We also request:

1. DC Council should reject the iReady contract renewal and continue to reduce standardized testing in our classrooms and invest the savings in supports for our classrooms.
2. DC Council must reverse the proposed cuts and rollbacks to both public and private sector Paid Family Leave Programs.
3. DC Council must insist through oversight and the Budget Support Act that our Athletic Trainer program is fully staffed, supplied with life saving materials and using the medical model to put students health and safety over convenience.
4. DC Council must restore the $127 million in funding for worker compensation that was removed from the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2027 proposed budget
5. DC Council should explore all and include the most progressive measures to raise revenue like a tax on passive income, including the request for a 3% wealth tax and the Business Activity Tax.