Beyond school principals and PTAs/PTOs, we have advocates and liaisons here to help you to answer your education-related questions and to address your concerns. Please e-mail Allister Chang (allister.chang1@dc.gov) to recommend edits/additions to this guide. Last updated March 16, 2021.

For community building and updates:

The Ward 2 Education Council

The Ward 2 Education Council (W2EC) was formed to give Ward 2 parents of the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Local Education Agency (LEA) a voice before DCPS; the Office of the Mayor; Council of the District of Columbia; and unify Ward 2 DCPS schools. You may reach the organizing team via e-mail W2EdCouncil@gmail.com.

Allister Chang, the Ward 2 Member of the DC State Board of Education (DCSBOE), also puts out a monthly newsletter.

For general questions or concerns about existing education operations:

Community Action Team at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)

The DCPS Communications and Engagement Office’s Community Action Team (CAT) is comprised of four individuals who serve communities based on DCPS Clusters. Each CAT member is responsible for building and sustaining strategic relationships with key community stakeholders, including those who have been historically underrepresented in our decision-making process. The CAT is also responsible for assisting DCPS stakeholders in accessing information and resources offered by DCPS and communicating external needs and trends back to DCPS. Bijan Verlin (bijan.verlin@k12.dc.gov) and Sharona Robinson (sharona.robinson@k12.dc.gov) are the CAT specialists who serve Ward 2. For a full list of CAT specialists: https://dcps.dc.gov/page/community-action-team.

DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB)

The DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB) is an independent government agency and the sole authorizer of public charter schools in our nation’s capital. For general inquiries, you may call the DCPCSB (202) 328-2660 or e-mail dcpublic@dcpsb.org. For community complaints and concerns, e-mail complaints@dcpcsb.org.

Serena Hayes, Ombudsman for Public Education

If you are a parent having issues with your child’s school, you may file a complaint with the DC Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education. A complaint may be filed by any individual or organization as long as the student in question attends a District of Columbia Public School or DC public charter school. Concerns may be discussed via phone (202) 741-0886 or email ombudsman@dc.gov. The Ombudsman’s office receives calls regarding a wide range of topics ranging from bullying and student safety to special education resource needs. The Ombudsman may help moderate conversations between stakeholders and/or guide parents through the available options to address the concern.

Dan Davis, Chief Student Advocate

The Office of the Student Advocate supports students, parents, and families in their advocacy through parent education, one-on-one coaching, resource supports, and trainings in order to amplify the voices of families and communities in processes and decision-making; to provide avenues for access to resources and understanding systems; and to support power families and communities already possess. You may reach the Office of the Student Advocate via phone (202) 741-4692 or e-mail student.advocate@dc.gov.

DCPS Comprehensive Alternative Resolution & Equity Team (CARE)

The Comprehensive Alternative Resolution & Equity (CARE) Team is responsible for receiving claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying, or any unfair treatment a student, parent or visitor encounters at a DC Public School. The CARE team collaborates with school staff to resolve issues in a timely, equitable and comprehensive manner. You may contact the CARE team via e-mail dcps.care@dc.gov or phone (202) 442-5405.

To inform future decisions:  

Ella Hanson, Legislative and Community Coordinator at Office of Councilmember Brooke Pinto

The Council’s central role as a legislative body is to make laws. However, its responsibilities also include oversight of multiple agencies, commissions, boards and other instruments of District government. If you have questions or concerns about education policy or have suggestions related to agency oversight, please reach out to Ella Hanson at ehanson@dccouncil.us. 

Allister Chang, Ward 2 Member at DC State Board of Education (DCSBOE)

The DC State Board of Education (DCSBOE) is responsible for advising the State Superintendent of Education on educational matters, including: state standards; state policies, including those governing special, academic, vocational, charter and other schools; state objectives; and state regulations proposed by the Mayor or the State Superintendent of Education. You may reach the Ward 2 representative on the SBOE via e-mail (allister.chang1@dc.gov). You may also sign up to provide testimony at SBOE meetings by calling (202) 741-0888 or by emailing sboe@dc.gov.

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners

An Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) is a non-partisan, neighborhood body made up of locally elected representatives called Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners. The ANCs were established to bring government closer to the people, and to bring the people closer to government. ANCs may help support your advocacy via a resolution or letter. Here is a tool to lookup your ANC, and here is a list of all the ANC Commissioners in Ward 2, including contact information. In Ward 2, three of the six ANCs currently operate education committees. The chairs of these ANC committees are Kyle Mulhall (2B09@anc.dc.gov), Kishan Putta (2E01@anc.dc.gov), and Michelle Yan (2F03@anc.dc.gov).

For questions or concerns about special education:

Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE) seeks to empower families, youth, and the community to be effective advocates to ensure that children and youth, particularly those who have special needs, receive access to appropriate education and health services. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) also has a “Special Education Resource Hub” to help families to navigate different concerns. You may contact the SPED Section as OSSE via telephone (202) 727-6436. 

For questions about student transportation:

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Division of Transportation may be contacted via e-mail (osse.dot@dc.gov) or phone (202) 724-8600. The Parent Resource Center (202) 576-5000 is also available to answer questions about transportation for students with disabilities. 

If a child is in crisis at home or in the community:

The District of Columbia's Emergency and Safety Alliance (ESA) recommends calling the Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Services (ChAMPS) hotline (202) 481-1440.

For questions about the My School DC common lottery:

The My School DC common lottery is a single, random lottery that determines placement for new students at all participating schools. Student-school matches are based on the number of available spaces at each school; sibling, in-boundary, and other lottery preferences; how each student ranked their school choices; and each student's random lottery number. Through the My School DC common lottery, DCPS selective high schools and programs select students based on specific criteria. Questions may be directed to (202) 888-6336 or info.myschooldc@dc.gov.

For questions about school athletics:

The DC State Athletic Association (DCSAA) is an association of District of Columbia public schools, public charter schools, and independent schools (private and parochial schools). DCSAA participants share knowledge and best practices to enhance student-athlete achievement through athletic programming and to provide life quality learning experiences. DCSAA participants also adhere to a set of uniform standards and rules to ensure student-athletes have opportunities for state-level competition. You may contact the DCSAA via phone (202) 654-6115 or e-mail (dcsaasports@dc.gov).

For other Ward 2 questions or concerns:

Joe Florio and Anna Noakes, Ward 2 Liaisons at Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS)

The Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS) serves as the Mayor's primary constituent services organization by providing rapid and complete responses to constituent requests, complaints, and questions. This office is a key resource for the community as it supplies a direct link between District residents, their Mayor and the Government of the District of Columbia. The two Ward 2 Liaisons at MOCRS are Joe Florio (Joseph.Florio@dc.gov) and Anna Noakes (anna.noakes@dc.gov).