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  • Washington
  • Jason Kopanke (bio)

Washington state P-12 education is in a state of flux as school districts are grappling with the ramifications of the closure of McCleary v. State. Many school districts have simultaneously received increased funding while also experiencing substantial budget deficits. The current funding situation in Washington state reflects post-litigation funding adjustments across school districts statewide.

p-12 funding priorities

The Washington school system received a substantial increase in student funding for the 2018-2019 school year that many school districts promptly invested into improving teacher salaries.1 To improve funding equity, however, this funding increase was coupled with a cap limiting districts' ability to generate revenue through local levies.2 In response to these changes, the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) is concerned with the equitability and distribution of these additional resources.3 This group's primary financial concerns deal with what they perceive as insufficient special education funding.4

changes to funding formula for the p-12

K-12 funding is in a state of flux. House Bill 2242 absolved Washington state's lingering obligations from the McCleary v. State5 court ruling. Since the adjudication of McCleary v. State6 the judicial system has debated what the state's constitutional obligations are, and the state has been ruled in contempt of court for failing to address the obligations imposed by the McCleary v. State ruling.7 [End Page 389]

However, this impasse was resolved in the summer of 2018, when House Bill 2242 passed, and the courts declared that the state met all of its obligations.8 In meeting the financial obligations, the state substantially increased funding of the P-12 educational system.9 However, this funding does come with a few caveats. House Bill 2242 limits districts' ability to use levies to bolster school funding.10 Consequently, the large spending increase, invested primarily into teacher salaries, has caused many districts throughout the state to be in financial difficulties as their budgets were designed with a reliance on levies.11

pressing state issues affecting funding p-12 education

Although Washington is financially solvent, this state has reduced its citizen tax burdens while increasing school funding.12 This additional funding has come at the expense of higher education, public assistance, Medicare, corrections and transportation.13 This drastic reduction in important public services has caused WASA to view the school's financial boon as an area of concern.14 Advocates from these agencies are likely to increase their lobbying efforts in Olympia to restore their slashed budgets.

exclusive to p-12: forces diverting funds from traditional public schools

Thanks in large part to Washington state's Supreme Court ruling in McCleary v. State and subsequent interpretations, the Washington legislature is attempting to improve education funding equity and adequacy by limiting the percent of district school budget covered by local levies.15 Although this plan increases education funding equity, it is also causing many school districts to experience budget deficits.16 To combat this pressing challenge, the Office of the Superintendent of [End Page 390] Public Education has sponsored HB 272117 and SB 6362.18 HB 2721 died in an executive session on February 6, 2019,19 while SB 636220 was far more successful. This bill cleared the House and Senate in March, and despite being partially vetoed by the governor, was signed on March 27, 2019.

education statistics for 2018

P-12 per-pupil expenditures: $8,791.27 for the 2018-2019 school years21

Percent of general fund appropriations to P-12: In 2018 25.1%22

Percent of general fund appropriation to Higher Education: In 2018 14.2%23 [End Page 391]

Jason Kopanke

Jason Kopanke is a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of Northern Colorado.

Footnotes

1. The National Association of State Budget Officer. "The Fiscal Survey of States," Fall Report, (2018): 1-109.

2. H.B. 2242, Sess. of 2018-2018 (Wash. 2018).

3. Washington Association of School Administrators. "2019 Legislative Platform." wasa-oly. org http://wasaoly.org/WASA/images/WASA/4.0%20Government%20Relations/4.2%20Legislative%20Platform/Download_Files/2019%20Platform-Final.pdf (Accessed March 29, 2019)

4. Id.

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