Board hears Wazda legislative priorities including call to fully fund K–12 and MSOC increases
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Summary
Board members reviewed consolidated Wazda legislative priorities: fully funding K–12 (including special education), reinvesting funds when enrollment declines, increases to MSOC funding and possible LAP/prototypical funding changes; Amy estimated a local shortfall scenario of about $375,000.
Board member Karen (Speaker 2) opened the legislative report and asked Amy (Speaker 8) to review WASDA/Wazda’s consolidated priorities for the upcoming session. The priorities presented included ensuring the state fulfills its legal obligation to adequately fund K–12, continuing work to fully fund special education, reinvesting funds when enrollment declines, and seeking increases to MSOC (material, supplies and operating costs) and prototypical school funding formulas.
Amy described uncertainty around some proposals but highlighted the reinvestment idea for declining-enrollment money and a potential increase in LAP funding per student or adjustments to the prototypical model that determines staffing. Amy gave an illustrative local shortfall example: "So for this school year, we're probably like... that equals about $375,000," and noted the broader implication if that pattern is multiplied across districts. On MSOC, Amy said proposals discussed include "a $100 per student or a $100,000, whichever is greater," which could affect small districts differently.
Board members were told these issues will be discussed further at the upcoming Wazda conference; the board received the update and thanked staff. No formal action or board position on the priorities was recorded during the meeting.
