The Schools First Amendment Act of 2026 aims to modify the budgeting process for individual schools within the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) by incorporating the average position cost of school-based educators into the calculation of annual budgets. This new definition of average position cost includes the total expenses related to salary and benefits for educators, which will be used to determine each school's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, the bill makes several amendments to existing sections of the Schools First in Budgeting Amendment Act of 2022, including the redesignation of certain paragraphs and the introduction of new subparagraphs that address projected increases in average position costs and adjustments for reductions in instructional personnel due to school closures.

Key changes include the addition of a new subparagraph that accounts for projected increases in average position costs, as well as modifications to existing language regarding instructional personnel. The bill also clarifies the process for adjusting budget amounts in response to changes in personnel due to school or campus closures. These amendments are intended to enhance the budgeting framework for DCPS, ensuring that financial resources are allocated more effectively to support educational needs. The act will take effect following the Mayor's approval and a congressional review period.