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Director Yocom reports from NSBA advocacy trip; district to testify on capital budget companion bill
Summary
Director Yocom summarized federal advocacy and state legislative activity during the Feb. 10 board meeting, reporting plans for staff testimony on a House companion bill and noting that Senate Bill 5095 was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Director Yocom briefed the Lake Washington School Board on her recent National School Boards Association (NSBA) Advocacy Equity Institute trip to Washington, D.C., and district staff provided a short legislative update about bills the district is watching.
Why it matters: Board members said the district is preparing testimony and advocacy materials during the legislative session; bills under consideration could affect capital projects, special education, and other K-12 priorities.
What staff told the board
- Associate Superintendent Posthuma (presenter) said the committee cut-off is Feb. 21, the point at which bills must pass policy committees to continue advancing. The district plans written or verbal testimony on about 10 bills this week covering special education, MSOC, curriculum, and student mental-health supports.
- Staff reported that Senator Dhingra's LGL bill, identified in the presentation as Senate Bill 5095, was approved by the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee and referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee; staff said they expect it may be referred to rules without a Ways and Means hearing because it has no fiscal impact.
- Staff also said Representative Kallen introduced House Bill 1796, described as a companion to the Senate bill, with a scheduled hearing in the House Capital Budget Committee.
Director Yocom's federal advocacy summary
Director Yocom described attending NSBA's Advocacy Equity Institute and meeting with Department of Education staff and congressional offices. She said attendees were advised that the best way to influence federal policy is "collective advocacy" and that officials emphasized the value of personal stories about how federal programs affect students, families and staff.
Direct quotes and emphasis
- Director Yocom said: "If the current administration potentially oversteps, the most effective response is collective advocacy and our voices matter; we must engage with federal policy makers in large numbers."
- Staff noted federal and state rules are evolving in real time and that legal challenges are likely; the district will follow OSPI and Attorney General guidance.
Speakers and next steps
Speakers included Associate Superintendent Posthuma (legislative staff) and Director Yocom. Staff said Superintendent Holman will provide testimony at the House Capital Budget Committee hearing for the companion bill and that the district is monitoring other measures and preparing testimony where appropriate.
Authorities referenced in the update included the named Senate and House bills and OSPI for statewide implementation guidance; staff emphasized they will bring legally required changes back to the board for action if needed.
