In tight budget year, pressure builds to boost WA school funding
Lawmakers have begun another hard conversation on what it may cost the state to amply fund basic education in public schools as required by Washington’s constitution.
A state Senate panel on Wednesday held a hearing on bills that would collectively boost funding for special education, transportation and operations by $2 billion in the next budget, and bring the state closer to covering its share of the tab in those three areas.
Superintendents of school districts on both sides of the Cascades voiced strong support, saying they are forced to use local levy dollars to pay for programs and services that are the state’s financial responsibility.
“Without a solution that addresses the true costs of doing business now and in the future, schools will face growing financial pain,” Ben Ferney, superintendent of Cheney Public Schools told the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/01/23/in-tight-budget-year-pressure-builds-to-boost-wa-school-funding/