Educators and districts urge Ways & Means to restore K‑12 funding for "big three": MSOC, special education and transportation

District leaders, teachers’ unions and parent groups told the Senate Ways & Means Committee that the governor’s proposed operating budget does not adequately fund K‑12 basic education needs.

Speakers — including Janie White of the Washington Education Association; Tyler Minch of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Melissa Gumbosky representing multiple districts; Casey Brown of the Association of Washington School Principals; and others — uniformly highlighted three priorities they described as the “big three”: material, supplies and operating costs (MSOC), special education and student transportation.

Testimony cited mounting local obligations that are currently met with district levies and reserves: rising utility and insurance prices, technology needs, substitute and transportation costs, and increasing special‑education caseloads. Principals and superintendents also said leadership turnover — including high rates of principal turnover — reduces schools’ capacity to manage change and student needs and requested funding to expand principal mentorship programs.

Multiple witnesses urged restoring stipends for National Board‑Certified Teachers, which the governor’s budget pauses, and reinstating or increasing funding for the 9th Grade Success initiative and other targeted grant programs that help at‑risk students. Several education representatives urged the committee to consider progressive revenue options to avoid cuts that shift costs to local levies.

Ending: Advocates requested targeted appropriations for MSOC, special education, transportation, principal supports and programs like the 9th Grade Success initiative and warned that the proposed level of state support would leave districts to backfill with local levies or make program cuts.