I wanted to start this week’s legislative update as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and as an important reminder that persistent effort and engagement in advocacy is essential. As I’ve been reading through the dozens of education bills that have been pre-filed or filed early in the legislative session, I’m reminded that many of them are previous bills that didn’t pass but that have been reworked over the interim. It can take years to pass policy related to some issues which, of course, is both good and bad. Our task is to keep showing up and weighing in with our voices about what schools need to support the academic and social-emotional needs of each and every student. Thank you to so many who are engaged in our advocacy efforts! Check out a list below of principals who weighed in this week related to a variety of bills and to the OSPI hearing related to 20-minute seated lunch rules. Your voices matter!

The Capitol was bustling this week getting new state officials sworn in and jumping into all of the committee hearings that take place daily. Governor Inslee gave his final State of the Union address and Governor Bob Ferguson gave his incoming address. Governor Ferguson has vowed not to make cuts to K-12 education and has stated that his budget priorities do not include new sources of revenue. The “Big 3” funding issues of special education, MSOC, and transportation, however, demand at least $1 billion more in funding so conversations continue about how to increase funding to K-12 education.

Bills Heard This Week

Both the House Appropriations and the Senate Ways and Means committees started the week hearing the two operating budget bills (HB 1198 and SB 5167). Casey Brown, AWSP’s contract lobbyist, testified to ask that funding in the budget for the principal intern grant not be reduced (as Governor Inslee’s budget would do).

House Education

The House Education committee held work sessions all week to get new members up to speed on various K-12 issues. Topics included background information on K-12 education in Washington, an overview of all of the main education agencies in our state such as OSPI, WSSDA, PESB, and the State Board of Education, and the impact of the pandemic on our students and staff.

Senate Education

The Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee started off with several bills hearing this week. Bills heard included:

• SB 5030 Improving access to educational services by reducing barriers to obtaining vital records
• SB 5134 Requiring public schools to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans
• SB 5003 Establishing the school security and preparedness infrastructure grant program
• SB 5004 Updating emergency response systems in public schools including panic or alert buttons
• SB 5210 Establishing the ninth grade success grant program
• SB 5193 Supporting remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs
• SB 5189 Supporting the implementation of competency-based education
• SB 5186 Concerning school district elections (55% for bonds)
• SB 5190 Allowing school districts to request extensions to state energy performance standards

Bills Heard Next Week

House Education

The House Education Committee will have two more work sessions next week, one on the State Board of Education’s Future Ready Initiative and one on student mental and behavioral health supports. Hearings will also begin on these bills:

• HB 1285 Making financial education instruction a graduation requirement in public schools
• HB 1289 Gathering survey information to improve the public school system
• HB 1296 Promoting a safe and supportive public education system

Senate Education

Tuesday:

• SB 5181 Amending the parents rights initiative to bring it into alignment with existing law
• SB 5180 Securing the rights of students to have a safe, civil, and respectful learning community
• SB 5123 Expanding protections for certain students to promote inclusivity in public schools
• SB 5179 Establishing a complaint process to address noncompliance with certain state education laws

Wednesday:

• SB 5187 Providing adequate and predictable student transportation
• SB 5192 Concerning school district materials, supplies, and operating costs
• SB 5263 Concerning special education funding (increasing the multiplier)
• SB 5307 Concerning special education funding (eliminating the cap)

Thursday:

• SB 5008 Supporting the use of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools in public schools
• SB 5009 Modifying the student transportation allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students
• SB 5120 Expanding the learning assistance program
• SB 5177 Considering the experiences of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups when identifying professional development resources on certain topics

Bill Tracking

For a look at my complete bill tracking list, click here. I’ve promised our AWSP Advocacy Advisory Council that I will create a shorter, more targeted list soon that shows only the bills that focus on our priorities.

You can also locate bills we are tracking on our website. Click "Bills" under the Action Center to view the list we are tracking. 

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Your Voice

A big shoutout to several principals who Zoomed in to testify on several different bills and the OSPI hearing related to 20-minute seated lunchtime. Your voices matter so much! Thank you!

• Woody Howard, Principal, Ben Franklin Elementary, Vancouver
• Bridget Piper, Principal, Kessler Elementary, Longview
• Dana Stairs, Principal, Juanita Elementary, Lake Washington
• Matt Yarkosky, Principal, Graham Kapowsin High School
• David Funk, Assistant Principal, Prosser High School, Prosser
• Matt Kessler, River HomeLink, Battleground
• Lauren House, Principal, Dishman Hills High School, West Valley
• Kevin Collins, Principal, Orting Middle School, Orting

Our job is to keep telling our stories about what our students and educators need to create successful learning environments. There are many ways to have your voice heard in order to keep building champions. Check out the “Important Links” below to find out how to contact your own legislators. They care very much about hearing directly from their constituents. When we weigh in as an association, it is helpful and important, but having many of you reach out directly with a short email to legislators can be much more powerful. Find your legislator and email them here if you have any thoughts to share. 

Day on the Hill

Many of our Advocacy Advisory Council and AWSP Board Members are planning a visit to Olympia on February 10, 2025 for our annual “Day on the Hill." They will be meeting with their own legislators and perhaps attending some committee hearings. You can get involved by scheduling a virtual meeting with your own legislators that week. More information will be coming soon.