“You are the perfect person to tell your story.” – Lin-Manuel Miranda
There is a lot to celebrate this week: the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, the Olympics continuing in Milan-Cortina, Valentine’s Day, and a long President’s Day weekend ahead. I hope you have your own great story about a fun celebration from this week.
Legislators found time to celebrate the Seahawks among their work. The Senate passed Senate Resolution 8683, honoring the team, and the House passed HB 1759, titled “Designating the twelfth day of December as the Day of the 12s.” Beyond these moments of celebration, legislators have spent nearly the entire week—and will continue through part of the long weekend—passing bills off the House and Senate floors. The next key cutoff is Tuesday, February 17, when bills must pass out of their house of origin to remain alive.
Looking ahead, the updated revenue forecast will be presented on Monday, February 16. It is not expected to differ significantly from current assumptions used by budget writers, legislators, and the Governor regarding the roughly $2 billion in cuts needed to current biennial spending. Within a week or so of the forecast, we anticipate the release of the first drafts of the supplemental budgets from House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means.
This was also a significant election week for more than 160 school districts across the state. As of this writing, election night results are as follows:
- Educational Programs and Operations Levies:Â 116 passing, 10 failing (92.06% approval rate)
- Capital Levies:Â 47 passing, 3 failing (94% approval rate)
- School Construction Bonds:Â 5 passing, 8 failing (38.45% approval rate)
It continues to be deeply concerning and disheartening that so few school construction bonds are passing. AWSP is a member of WISE (Washington Investing in Schools and Education) , a statewide coalition advocating for local voters to have the ability—by simple majority—to decide when it’s time to invest in safe, secure, and functional school facilities. While no bill addressing a simple majority for bonds is moving this session, planning is underway for the 2027 legislative session. Districts interested in joining this effort are encouraged to visit the WISE website. This year, the AWSP PAC contributed $1,000 in support of the effort.
As mentioned in previous updates, the federal FY 2026 K-12 education budget was recently signed into law. Rather than cuts to Title programs, federal funding for K–12 education will increase slightly next year—welcome and encouraging news. This week also marked NAESP’s National School Leaders Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. Typically held in March, the conference was moved up this year, and with so much going on in Olympia, we did not send a delegation. For more information on NAESP’s advocacy efforts, I encourage you to review their blog and legislative agenda.
No new bills were heard this week, but you can find my updated (and much smaller)Â bill tracking list linked here.
AWSP Winter Forum: Thursday, 2/19
For timely and practical updates on the legislative session, please consider joining us for the AWSP Winter Forum on Thursday, February 19, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Scott Seaman will share updates about AWSP and our national associations, Susan Lathrop, Chief Education Officer at OSPI, will provide agency updates, and I will offer a legislative update.
In addition, board members and Advocacy Advisory Council members will facilitate breakout discussions tailored to elementary, middle, and high school leaders. Sign up through our Learning Lab!
Bills Being Heard Next Week
Wednesday, 2/18
House Education
SSB 5240 Concerning anaphylaxis medications in schools
Senate bills that are referred to the committee
House Committee on Community Safety
ESB 5272 Improving school safety by extending penalties for interference by, or intimidation by threat of, force or violence at schools and extracurricular activities
Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education
House bills that are referred to the committee
Thursday, 2/19
Both House and Senate education committees will meet, and they will hear bills from the opposite house that pass by 2/17 and that are referred to these committees.
AWSP and WSPEF Legislative Priorities
The AWSP and WSPEF Legislative Priorities document was developed over the past several months through conversations with members, partners, and stakeholders, as well as participation in multiple workgroups. This year, for the first time, we intentionally named the “bookends” of leadership by placing both AWSP and the Washington School Principals’ Education Foundation (WSPEF) at the top of the document—anchored by students at the center of everything we do.
Elevating Student Voice
We are working with students from the Association of Washington Student Leaders’ Student Voice Network to host an Educational Advocacy Summit on February 20-21, 2026. This event will include both in-person and virtual participation, with approximately 100 students attending in Olympia and about 40 students attending online. Students will learn more about state government, tour the Capitol, meet with legislators, and participate in a mock bill competition—bringing authentic student voice directly into the legislative process. Learn more.
Your Voice
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. 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.
Action Alert
Our first Action Alert of the session is live and it’s related to SB 5918, increasing funding for MSOC. Even though this bill has not continued through the legislative process, it’s still important to keep messaging to legislators that basic education is being underfunded and that supporting increased MSOC funding is one clear need for all districts. Click here to find it and scroll down to the “Take Action” button. You’ll enter your mailing address and then see your Senator, two Representatives, and a message that will be sent to them. Feel free to edit the message if you’d like.
Get Involved
Many thanks for all that you do for students and staff. If you have questions or comments or want to get involved, please reach out to me.
Thank you so much!
Roz Thompson, Government Relations and Advocacy Director, AWSP
Retirement & Health Benefits
Retirement, Health Benefits, & Beyond for Feb. 12, 2026
Fred Yancey, The Nexus Group
Floor action is now taking place as both Houses work to clear bills to send to the opposite House. Bills now must be pulled from Rules, placed on House calendar, and passed before the February 17 House of Origin cutoff. This is a critical moment. Communication with legislators by telling your story and the impact of proposals remains important up until after the Governor acts. Read more from Fred.
