We want to share with members a letter that will be sent today from AWSP to legislators outlining the very real staffing reductions already underway, particularly cuts to assistant principal positions due to district budget shortfalls. Below is the letter.
Dear Members of the Washington State Legislature,
On behalf of the Association of Washington School Principals and our board, we urge you to address the failure to adequately fund basic education in Washington state.
Persistent funding gaps for MSOC, special education, transportation, and Local Effort Assistance have created structural deficits statewide. To balance budgets, districts are reducing staff. One of the most common positions being reduced is the vitally important role of the assistant principal—often because these roles can be eliminated more quickly than other staffing categories when districts must close sudden budget gaps.
When school leadership capacity shrinks, students and teachers feel it immediately. Assistant principals oversee safety systems, respond to student crises and behavior needs, coordinate attendance supports, and provide critical coaching for teachers. They often work closely with students who benefit most from consistent adult relationships.
When assistant principal positions are eliminated:
- Schools become less safe with reduced adult supervision and visibility.
- Instructional leadership suffers as administrative and staff workloads increase.
- Positive school culture erodes with fewer student-adult relationships.
- Focus shifts from proactive student support to reactive crisis management.
- Litigation increases as districts become more vulnerable through reduced supervision.
This is not theoretical. Cuts are already occurring. Districts are making staffing decisions right now. Students ultimately pay the price.
Washington’s students deserve stable, well-supported schools led by teams of principals and assistant principals with the capability and capacity to focus on both safety and instruction. Adequate funding of basic education is a constitutional obligation, and it is an investment in our societal health and well-being.
We know you have tough budget decisions ahead. We appreciate your hard work during this short and difficult legislative session.
Respectfully,
Jason Smith, Principal, Rogers High School, Puyallup School District, AWSP President
Dr. Scott Seaman, Executive Director, AWSP
Roz Thompson, Director of Government Relations, AWSP
“We believe, that is, you and I, that education is not an expense. We believe it is an investment.” ~ Lynden B. Johnson
