For an outsider looking in, it is extremely frustrating that much of the action that fine tunes/amends bills occur behind closed doors, out of sight of the general public. This is particularly true of the development of the budget, but as one can observe, amendments often crop up on bills the day of their final hearing or on the floor once brought forward for debate. The net effect is that the public often has little time to read and understand any proposed change(s). This is particularly galling when the budget proposal itself is often released in the morning with a same-day public hearing. But this is the system. So be it.

As today comes to a close, so does another cutoff date. All bills with a price tag must be passed out of a fiscal committee (either House Appropriations or Senate Ways and Means) by Friday, February 24. This means the list of bills moving through the Legislature is getting smaller.

Thanks to all of you who attended our Winter Forum. Over 150 of you joined some crucial conversations with your colleagues around the current legislative session, recess, attendance policies, supporting marginalized populations, high school graduation requirements, and other hot topics. Register now for our Spring Forum, coming up May 8, 2023.

For 51 years, AWSP has supported principals and assistant principals (the individuals) and the principalship (the profession) in the education of each and every student. We exist to support principals as a means to the same goal we all have in K-12 education: for all of our students to have hope. Today, we find ourselves in one of the most challenging spots in the history of our association, specifically regarding the two “principal bills,” Senate Bills 5085 and 5175.

We're hosting a webinar on Wednesday, March 8, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. to walk members through an AWSP benefit called The Main Idea from Jenn David-Lang that just might change your life! (In fact, we're sure it will.) Join this interactive session to learn ways to develop your own habit of professional reading and use that reading to improve your school! You will also walk away with two great tools to conduct PD with your own teachers. Learn more and register today!

Happy March Friends. There are so many lovely things that March brings to education. However, it is also one of the toughest months for our staff. I encourage you to simply choose 1 or 2 days to celebrate with your staff this month. Another great idea is to have "Secret Leprechauns"--think secret Santas--staff volunteer to be each others secret Leprechaun and surprise them with treats throughout the St. Patrick's Day Week. This is the month we all need a little inspiration so use this month's newsletter to inspire you to encourage and celebrate your team. Peace and Love, Cindy.

The first cutoff of this year’s legislative session is today, February 17, where policy bills must pass out of their committee of origin. The deadline for bills to move out of fiscal committees (House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means) is next Friday, February 24. My bill tracking list will thankfully get shorter tomorrow, and we’ll be able to focus on the significant bills that remain in play.

The focus is and will remain so for this week and next on moving bills through committee Executive Sessions to their respective Rules’ Committees. The few that advance will be placed on floor calendars for possible passage. (March 8th is the deadline for bills to have cleared their house of origin.)

These resources are sent out weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each post contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up-to-date.

Are you looking for a way to get involved with AWSP and serve with your colleagues from across your region and state? We have the perfect opportunity for you! Applications to serve on a Grade level Leadership Committee (GLLC) are open!

AWSP and WASA are thrilled to announce the launch of Next Level Leaders, Washington State's Premiere Leadership Development Academy. How did Next Level Leaders come about? In March 2020, educational leaders across Washington entered a new dawn of leadership. In this era, leaders must quickly adapt how schools operate, communicate in a timely and transparent manner, unify stakeholders, build a culture of inclusion and belonging, and nurture the talents of the students and the staff we serve. The landscape of school leadership has shifted. Next Level Leaders is a response to that shift.

AWSP’s very own Raquel Martinez, principal of Isaac Stevens Middle School in Pasco, has been named the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ (NASSP) new president-elect. Martinez has been serving on the NASSP Board of Directors as part of the Advocacy and Governance Committees. She is the first Latina president of NASSP.

These resources are sent out weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each post contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up-to-date.

This was essentially the last week that new policy bills were heard in committees as the cutoff for bills to pass out of committees of their house of origin is next Friday, February 17. Next week’s committee hearings will focus more on executive session when bills may be amended and then formally passed out of committee or not. After next week, my bill tracking list will definitely be smaller as some bills won’t make it.

The importance of advocacy cannot be overstated. Legislators need to continually hear from those impacted by proposed legislation. A lobbyist can keep issues in front of legislators, but those most closely impacted, particularly constituents, carry much more weight. Enough said. Listed below are bills that appear to be moving. Some previously reported bills have been dropped but may re-appear in future reports. Listed below are bills that show some life.

February is AWSP Member Engagement Month! Each week this month, we're highlighting opportunities for members like you to get more involved with your professional association. This week we want to call special attention to our Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year Award program.

As the calendar flipped to February this week and I realized it was the 25th day of this year’s legislative session, I felt a little relief. January was a blur as hundreds of education bills were introduced, and keeping track of those and all of the associated conversations about them takes a lot of mental energy. The first cut-off date of the year is fast approaching. February 17 is when bills must be passed out of their policy committees. The fast pace of keeping up with committee hearings continues for just two more weeks.

A reminder that the 17th of February is the first cut-off when policy bills have to make it out of their respective committees. Fiscal bills have until the 24th. So, the clock is running and selected bills are moving. Listed below are bills that show some life.

These resources are sent out weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each post contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up-to-date.

The leaders of Washington’s statewide organizations representing parents and families, teachers, principals, classified school employees, superintendents, school board members, and our state superintendent have four top priorities for supporting Washington’s students this legislative session. Read their joint statement.