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AWSP Blog


  • Roz Thompson, Governmental Relations & Advocacy Director, AWSP
    Jan 10, 2025
    The 2025 legislative session kicks off on Monday, January 13th and along with a new year, as usual, comes lots of changes. 2025 will be a long, 105-day session where over 2,000 bills will be introduced, and where the biennial operating, capital, and transportation budgets will be adopted by the Legislature and signed by Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson. The session is expected to end by the end of April.
  • Roz Thompson, Government Relations and Advocacy Director, AWSP
    Jan 6, 2025
    OSPI has posted proposed rule changes to WAC 392-157-125, requiring a minimum 20-minute seated lunchtime in K-12 public schools. This was done in response to a state audit from 2019. We know that while some of you meet this requirement already, for many of you, these suggested rules would create significant challenges for buildings and districts as an unfunded mandate. To ensure building and district perspectives are heard, we strongly encourage you to submit feedback to OSPI by the January 14 deadline.
  • Roz Thompson, Government Relations and Advocacy Director, AWSP
    Sep 5, 2024
    As we move into fall, we are closer to the important general election in November that will elect a new President and Governor and numerous new legislators and other statewide elected officials. Three initiatives are on the ballot as well. The makeup of legislative committees and leadership positions will change somewhat as a result of the elections, so significant change in Washington’s political landscape is coming.
  • Tamera Marcoe, Assistant Principal, Hunt Elementary School, Puyallup SD
    Mar 19, 2024
    Last week, I had the honor of representing our state and AWSP members at the NAESP National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. While there, I was able to hear from both candidates running for NAESP Vice-President. Both candidates were able to answer the questions put before them, though Ann-Marie Gleason articulated her thoughts and personalized her stories. Whoever wins the election will be representing our voice through discussions with leaders and legislators across our states and in our country’s capital
  • Roz Thompson, Governmental Relations & Advocacy Director, AWSP
    Mar 8, 2024
    Yesterday, the Legislature adjourned “Sine Die”. Over the past few days, decisions were solidified about final supplemental budgets and final bill language. Here is my description about this year’s legislative session based on the book Fortunately that I used to read to my own kids.

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