WASHINGTON – The D.C. government is running on contingency funds now, but if the shutdown continues it could mean a payroll freeze.
That means D.C. teachers’ paychecks could be in limbo. When Mayor Vincent Gray visited Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest last week, Principal Pete Cahall says Gray told him the last pay period of the month could be a problem.
Doxie McCoy in the mayor’s office confirmed to WTOP in an email, “When the funds run out, employees may still be working, however, without pay.”
She says it could also impair the city’s ability to pay contractors.
The shutdown could affect D.C. charter schools, too. If the shutdown continues past Oct. 25, schools won’t receive their quarterly per pupil payment from the city.
On average, schools could operate for 49 days with cash on hand until they are in dire straights, says Tomeika Bowden with the city’s public charter school board.
Local leaders are meeting to talk about the shutdown’s affects on the city Wednesday afternoon.
Gray, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Susan Bulova, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker and Montgomery County Executive Isaiah Leggett plan to discuss the local impact and brainstorm strategies for the local economy.
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