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Board hears legislative update; district to testify on school bond and LGO proposals
Summary
Board members and staff reported the 2025 Washington legislative session opened and previewed district advocacy. Directors and staff plan to testify on Senate Bill 5095 (limited GO bonds) and Senate Bill 5186 (bond voter threshold reduction).
District staff and board members briefed the Lake Washington School District board on the opening of the 2025 Washington legislative session and the district’s planned advocacy, including testifying in Olympia on two bills affecting school funding.
A staff member reported that the House and Senate convened hearings on the outgoing governor’s proposed budget; the district will submit written testimony and send board leaders to testify on Senate Bill 5095, a limited general obligation (LGO) bond bill sponsored by Sen. Dhingra, and on Senate Bill 5186, which would lower the school bond approval threshold from 60% to 55%. The district’s advocacy position seeks a lower threshold (the board’s ask is 50%), staff said.
Nut graf: With the state identifying a revenue shortfall and the district projecting funding pressures, Lake Washington leaders said they will press for full funding of the sector’s "big three" priorities — special education, transportation and maintenance, supplies and operating costs (MSOC) — while acknowledging the legislature’s revenue constraints.
Board student representatives and directors described a regional town hall hosted by several Eastside districts that highlighted the funding crisis and drew more than 10 legislators. The board noted that Senator Wellman and Representative Santos commented publicly on funding prospects; one quote reported by staff was that Senator Wellman said she would fight for $1,100,000,000 for education but did not expect more than that in the session.
The board also reviewed recent delegation changes referenced by staff, including Patty Kuderer departing the Senate for a statewide office and several interim appointments. Directors said they plan additional town halls during the session and encouraged community participation in Olympia hearings.
Ending: Board leaders President Choi and Director Yocum said they will attend the senate early learning and K‑12 education committee hearing to testify on SB 5095 and SB 5186 as scheduled.
