Mayor Muriel Bowser has requested the Council of the District of Columbia to reprogram $146,923.55 from the Fiscal Year 2025 Local Funds allocated to the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), specifically for Ellington High School. The reprogramming will shift funds from custodial and general education salary/benefits to enhance academic and testing support by investing in additional staff and programming. This includes the establishment of a Writing Center, hiring a Testing Coordinator and Data Specialist, and covering costs for educational software programs that are no longer funded by DCPS.

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) has reviewed the request and confirmed that the reprogramming will not negatively impact the DCPS budget or the District's financial plan. Although the amount is below the $500,000 threshold requiring Council approval, a previous reprogramming from DCPS has already been approved, resulting in a cumulative change that exceeds this threshold. The OCFO has raised no objections, noting that the funds are available due to vacant custodial positions. This reallocation aims to better align resources with the school's priorities, particularly in preparation for upcoming CAPE and AP testing, while not restoring any budget cuts or establishing new programs.