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Legislative Update for Feb. 27, 2026
“Storytelling is the essential human activity. The harder the situation, the more essential it is.” – Tim O’Brien This has been a long and fast-paced week. The House and Senate released their budget proposals Sunday evening, followed by budget hearings on Monday, and the opposite house policy committee cut-off on Wednesday. I’ve been working with…
Learn MoreA Letter to Legislators: Staffing Reductions and the Importance of Assistant Principals
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…
Learn MoreLegislative Update for Feb. 20, 2026
“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation that is to come.” – Steve Jobs Today, we greeted almost 100 high school students who traveled to Olympia for the inaugural AWSL Education Advocacy Summit! This was the vision of two amazing students,…
Learn MoreRetirement, Health Benefits, and Beyond for Feb. 19, 2026
Legislative committees are currently holding hearings for possible executive action on bills they have received from the opposite house. Meanwhile, all parties—legislators and the public—are awaiting the release of the budgets. The House budget (SHB 2289) will be released to the public on Feb. 22 at 4:00 PM with a hearing on Feb. 25 at…
Learn MoreSafe Firearm Storage Saves Lives
Renee Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Seattle, lost her brother Arnie in the 1996 Moses Lake Junior High School shooting. She lost her brother because someone had access to a firearm who shouldn't have. She reflects on this in a recent Spokesman Review article framing the ongoing effects of gun violence in how it "shapes who…
Learn More2026 Member Survey: Your Data, Stronger Advocacy, Better Outcomes
Ten Minutes of Your Time Helps Us Turn Your Reality Into Action with State Leaders Your voice matters—and so does your experience. Every day, Washington’s principals and assistant principals lead complex organizations grounded in the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and reflected in AWSP’s Leadership Framework. You champion equity and cultural responsiveness. You build…
Learn MoreAWSP’s Winter Advocacy Forum: Join Us Feb. 19!
Thursday, Feb. 19 | 3:30-5:00 p.m. | Virtual | No Cost This is an AWSP member benefit you don't want to miss! Advocacy is the theme of our Winter Forum. Get up to speed on what's happening this legislative session. Learn how you can advocate for yourself, your colleagues, your staff, and your students. We'll start with…
Learn MoreLegislative Update for Feb. 13, 2026
“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…
Learn MoreRetirement, Health Benefits, and Beyond for Feb. 12, 2026
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…
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