Everett School District adopts 2026 legislative priorities, presses state for special‑education and capital funding
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Summary
The Everett School District board adopted its 2026 legislative priorities by general consent Nov. 18, urging full funding for special education, stable materials and operating support, and state help to comply with the Clean Buildings Act. The board noted two recent bond failures and asked for simpler local bond rules.
The Everett School District board on Nov. 18 adopted a set of legislative priorities for the 2026 Washington legislative session that center on fully funding special education, restoring stable funding for materials and operating costs, and securing state support for safe, healthy school buildings.
Superintendent Saltzman presented the priorities and said the list was developed in consultation with state associations and district staff. "We're looking at fully funding special education, ensuring ample funding, stable and equitable funding and then ensuring funding for safe, healthy and contemporary school buildings," Saltzman said. He told the board the priorities align with statewide associations and are intended to guide district advocacy in Olympia.
Why it matters: district officials said state funding shortfalls and rising costs are forcing the district to carry higher fund balances as a buffer. The priorities ask the Legislature to increase per‑pupil allocations, lower the safety‑net threshold, and consider funding components of Clean Buildings Act compliance that currently must be paid from operating funds. The district also asked for changes to local bond rules; Saltzman noted the district's last bond failed with 58.8% support, just below the 60% supermajority threshold.
Board action and next steps: After discussion, the board adopted the priorities by general consent. The superintendent said the district will present the approved flyer and priorities to legislators and at upcoming association meetings. Directors and staff will attend the Washington State School Directors Association conference and follow up with legislators during the 60‑day session that begins in January.
A note on details: presenters referenced several draft numeric examples for funding shortfalls and construction costs during the discussion. Where exact dollar amounts were reported in the presentation, the transcript occasionally contained inconsistent formatting; the district will publish the official flyer and fiscal notes for advocacy materials.
The board did not take a roll‑call vote; adoption was by general consent. The board plans to use the priorities as the basis for meetings with state lawmakers in December and during the legislative session.
