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Vancouver School Board adopts 2024–25 legislative priorities, flags $31M special‑education gap
Summary
The Vancouver School District board unanimously approved a 2024–25 public policy agenda urging state action on special education funding, rising non‑employee costs, the prototypical staffing model and transportation for high‑need students; the superintendent said the district faces a special‑education deficit of over $31 million.
The Vancouver School District Board of Directors on Tuesday unanimously approved a 2024–25 Public Policy Agenda that asks the state Legislature to address four priorities: special education funding, non‑employee costs (insurance and utilities, labeled 'MX'), a review of the state's prototypical staffing model, and transportation supports for high‑need students.
Superintendent Dr Snell told the board the district has been assessing enrollment, contract impacts and rising operating costs as it begins 2025–26 budget development. He said the district has reduced expenditures in recent years and now faces widening funding gaps, including what he described as a special‑education deficit "of over $31 million" accumulated over five years. He also flagged a roughly $3 million shortfall tied to inflation and non‑employee costs.
The board discussion emphasized that these are statewide pressures, not unique to Vancouver. Director Sproul and others said the district and statewide associations are urging lawmakers to "fully fund special education and get MXs and transportation funded as well," and encouraged residents to engage with legislative candidates during the election season.
The adopted platform asks state policymakers to: (1) close gaps in special education funding (including reconsidering multipliers and safety‑net timing), (2) investigate ways to offset growing non‑employee costs such as insurance and utilities, (3) study and potentially revise the prototypical staff allocation model to reflect actual school sizes and safety needs, and (4) prioritize transportation support for students with special needs and students experiencing homelessness.
The board noted one expiring local levy (a technology/capital levy) and said the district will consider a replacement levy resolution in the coming months; Dr Snell named Feb. 11 as a possible election date. The board also reminded residents that many budget variables tied to state revenue forecasts remain unsettled.
The vote to adopt the policy agenda was recorded as an approval by Directors Smith, Decker, Barrows, Zavala and the Chair; the agenda will guide the district's advocacy when the Legislature convenes in January 2025.
The board moved on to other business after the vote; next procedural steps include committee follow‑up and scheduling a public discussion if levy or ballot language is proposed.
