D.C. Council Promises Millions to Fix Schools

"The funding mechanism is there, it works and it provides full funding," Evans said. "And the oversight that Ms. Patterson crafted provides the checks and balances to make sure the funds are spent wisely and efficiently."

Although Patterson and Evans implored their colleagues not to micromanage how the school money is spent, a majority of council members voted to advise that a vocational education facility be the first priority.

Council member Kwame R. Brown (D-At Large) said that promises are not enough and that the council must send a message that the city has to revive vocational education to provide training for jobs that do not require a college education.

Cropp said she understood that some members were skeptical about the school board's ability to spend the money wisely and that they wanted a stronger council voice in how the money would be spent. The bill provides for an oversight board appointed by the mayor, council, Board of Education and chief financial officer.

Cropp said a compromise could be reached with school officials before the school bill comes back for a second vote next month.

Also yesterday, the D.C. Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of a "living wage," $11.75 an hour, that would be paid by government and private employers who benefit from government tax breaks, incentives or other assistance.

The living wage proposal is part of a package of employment measures Williams proposed last year, dubbed the Way to Work bill. More than 130 communities across the country have adopted similar living-wage legislation, including Alexandria and Arlington, Prince George's and Montgomery counties.

The requirement would apply to city employees who do not earn $11.75 an hour.

Council member Vincent B. Orange Sr. (D-Ward 5), the bill's sponsor, said it is unclear how many workers would be affected and how much the measure would cost. He said some of the answers would come before the bill's second and final reading next month.

The lone dissenting vote was by Carol Schwartz (R-At Large). She said she preferred an earlier version of the bill that would have allowed employers to pay $10.50 an hour if they provided employee health coverage.

Staff writer V. Dion Haynes contributed to this report.