Budget & School Closure Info
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Budget a Strong Start for Students
I am relieved the Legislature has found bipartisan agreement to more amply fund our public schools.
The new education funding plan adds $7.3 billion in state funds during the next four years, but offsets that with a loss of about $3 billion in local levy funds. This approach primarily addresses the state Supreme Court’s requirement, in McCleary v. Washington, that basic education funding come from the state. It also makes important new investments in our public schools.
Adding this new funding is a solid start to building the education system our kids deserve and our economy needs. What does that system look like? It consists of high-quality schools that
- addresses the needs of every child,
- closes opportunity gaps,
- graduates more students, and
- creates career pathways for each student.
The Legislature has now made the important turn to go beyond the bare minimums called for by the state Supreme Court – they are beginning the long work of transforming our schools with new resources that put kids and educators before partisan politics. I applaud this strong start. From career and technical education increases, to more resources for student with special needs, to higher starting salaries for teachers, this budget is a springboard for much bigger things to come.
The OSPI team will continue to carry out our long-term vision for excellent schools, as lawmakers push to find more progressive revenue sources beyond property taxes and sales taxes. I look forward to the full participation of policy makers on both sides of the aisle, educators, and the business community as we move our school funding from basic to excellent. It will require sacrifices beyond this current agreement!
Our kids deserve our best effort. By putting partisan politics aside and focusing on how to make all students successful, Washington’s public schools will become the envy of the nation.
For more information
— Chris Reykdal, State Superintendent, OSPI