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Board flags insurance, MSOC and special education as priorities for state advocacy
Summary
A board member summarized regional advocacy work and said insurance costs rose sharply while MSOC increases have not covered the rise; the board identified MSOC, special education funding and transportation as priority buckets for advocacy with legislators and regional groups.
A presenter (speaker S2) briefed the board on regional advocacy work with WASA, WASDA and the South Sound superintendents and highlighted three priority budget areas: MSOC (Materials, Supplies & Operating Costs) funding, special education funding, and transportation funding. S2 said district insurance and risk-management costs had risen substantially, citing a roughly 25% insurance increase that outpaced MSOC allocations.
S2 described how regional groups (PSESD and the South Sound caucus) are starting to push legislative priorities and said the district will share those updates at future board meetings. Board members discussed representation for smaller districts at statewide forums and noted caucus and subcommittee participation as a way for smaller districts to be heard at conferences.
The board also heard an OSPI overview reported by S3 about the State Board of Education’s early work to realign graduation requirements for future cohorts (including planning that could affect the freshman class of 2031). The board noted the process is in early committee and standards stages and that local boards retain control over curriculum implementation.
No formal action or vote was taken; members discussed next steps including inviting legislators for informal meetings and continuing to report back as regional priorities firm up.
