A diverse group of more than 60 District residents will testify at a March 14 hearing on the DC Public Schools budget convened by Mayor Vincent C. Gray.

The group of students, parents, educators and other concerned community members represent traditional public schools and public charter schools from neighborhoods across the city. The hearing will give them an opportunity to provide their input on shaping the DC Public Schools (DCPS) budget for Fiscal Year 2012–a year in which all DC agencies will engage in significant belt-tightening due to a major budget deficit.

“I am very pleased at the strong response to this hearing, because it signifies that District residents from all wards and walks of life care deeply about the future of our city’s greatest resource–its children,” Mayor Gray said. “I look forward to hearing the views of these witnesses, which will be invaluable to our school officials as they prepare their Fiscal Year 2012 budgets.”

The hearing will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 5 pm in the auditorium of Eastern High School, 1700 East Capitol Street NE. It is open to the media.