Legislative Priorities

• The inclusion of students with varying, and at times, complex learning needs in their neighborhood schools is a key element of a world-class education. LWSD schools, staff, students and families are working to create inclusive schools and classrooms for all students.
• Special education is a state and federal requirement and a basic education service—which means it should be fully state-funded—but actual costs to serve students far exceed the amount of money that is provided.  
• LWSD spends over $89.9 million (15%) of district budget on special education students. State and federal dollars only cover a portion of these costs leaving a $22 million shortfall.

• In 2025, the legislature introduced an accounting maneuver that requires districts to shift the special education funding shortfall to basic education in year-end reporting. This will give the impression of full funding in special education without actually providing any new funding. Basic education will show an even greater shortfall.

• The state does not keep up with increasing costs. The transportation funding formula, known as STARS, uses a regression analysis to calculate costs.
  • The formula is not predictable, nor easily understood, and it can’t be replicated. 
  • It is also inadequate, with gaps between actual costs and the money the state provides to transport students.
• In 2023-24, the District applied for $2 million in specialized transportation safety net reimbursement and received only $385,000 of that request. Safety net reimbursements were eliminated for 2024-25.  

• The cost of supplies, materials, textbooks, insurance, utilities and technology are rising much faster than the funding school districts get from the state to pay for these essentials.
  • Ex. Just like a homeowner or a business, local school districts must carry insurance. Since 2020, the cost of insurance for Washington's school districts has increased by nearly 60%. For LWSD, liability insurance has increased $5.5 million over the seven years and now represents 1% of the district’s annual budget.
• State funding has not kept up. For 2025-26, the legislature provided an additional $81 per pupil resulting in approximately $2.6 million additional revenue. The same year, insurance costs have increased to $915,000 while utilities have increased to $800,000. These increases do not account for additional materials, textbooks or technology costs.
• Substitute costs. The state provides funds for four days per teacher for certificated substitutes and less than what each day actually costs. There is no funding for classified substitutes. Lake Washington spends over $7.0 million for substitutes each year while the state provides $900,000, leaving a $6.1 million funding gap.

• When LWSD voters approve a capital levy, the district can sell Limited General Obligation (LGO) bonds in order to complete projects faster.
• However, use of LGO bonds is limited to improvements and additions, excluding new construction.
• Correcting the statute to allow all voter approved projects to be funded with LGO bonds would:
  • Create consistency across funding types
  • Allow districts to front-fund capital levy projects more quickly
  • Help keep construction costs down and save taxpayer money
  • NO COST to the state

SAMPLE STATUTE LANGUAGE

Update RCW 28A.530.080 as follows:  

(1) In addition to the authority granted under RCW 28A.530.010, a school district may contract indebtedness for any purpose specified in RCW 28A.530.010 (2) through (5) or for the purpose of purchasing any real or personal property, or property rights, in connection with the exercise of any powers or duties which it is now or hereafter authorized to exercise, and issue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness therefor without a vote of the qualified electors of the district, subject to the limitations on indebtedness set forth in RCW 39.36.020(3).

Progress: HB 1795 & SB 5095 were introduced in the House and Senate early in the 2025 session. Though neither bill was approved by both chambers before the end of the session, HB 1795 passed through the House and received Senate hearings. Both bills are still active and will be considered in the 2026 session. 

A recent OSPI report examining the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) identified front-funding restrictions as challenge that requires separate legislative consideration.

• The legislature passes bills that increase costs for districts with no new funding.
• This results in ongoing reductions to programs and services.
• A complete fiscal note on all proposed legislation that affect school districts will assist the legislature to fund proposals adequately.
• Do not advance proposed legislation without a detailed fiscal note and full funding.
• Include a null and void clause in K-12 related legislation if state funding is not appropriated in accordance with the fiscal note.

• Update the prototypical model to reflect the actual staff required for student learning and student social-emotional health without impacting local levy funds.
  • Lake Washington School District hires over 160 certificated and classified staff that the state does not provide for.
• Increase funding for necessary substitutes to reflect the actual cost per day and legally mandated number of leave days.
  • LWSD spends $7 million on substitutes and substitute-related costs each year. The state only funds $900,000 or 13.2% of those costs, leaving a gap of $6.1 million.
  • The state formula funds four days for certificated substitutes at $152.86 per day, yet district cost is $222 per day. The formula does not provide any funding for classified substitutes like paraeducators.

• We need a constitutional amendment that authorizes simple majority for school bond passage.
• Rapid growth and aging facilities across the state create significant demand for new school facilities with limited ability to raise capital.
• In the last 5 years only 24.18% (22 of 91) bond attempts across the state met the 60% super majority requirement. 
  • Of the bonds that failed to meet 60%, 50 ballot measures reached simple majority and 26 of those had over 55% voter support.
• LWSD has attempted five bond measures since 2010, but only one received the 60% approval needed to pass. The other four measures received a range of 52%-57% approval.
• Simple majority for school bonds, would bring all school funding measures into alignment.

• Provide ample and equitable funding for districts to adopt and implement evidence-based literacy acquisition practices, curriculum, screening, and professional development across all grades.
• Curriculum used in classes used to be purchased once but is now subscription-based with ongoing costs. Funding models have not kept up.

• Ensure all children, in all communities, have safe, reliable and consistent access to hardware and connectivity.
  • Technology skills are essential to student success in the workforce and in life.
  • Students need opportunities to learn and experiment with technology, with guidance and feedback from their educators.

• Expand incentives for districts to accelerate transition of transportation systems and infrastructure to zero-emissions vehicles
  • Lake Washington has a fleet of over 130 yellow buses that drive over 1 million miles each year.
  • Costs of purchasing electric buses and infrastructure significantly exceeds state depreciation reimbursements. The cost of a single electric bus is almost three times the cost of a diesel bus, and the accompanying charging station and infrastructure is an estimated $100,000 per charger. School districts cannot afford to transition without additional funding from the state.
  • LWSD has been awarded Clean School Bus funding to replace four diesel buses, but the awards are insufficient to cover the entire cost of the buses and necessary infrastructure.
• Incentivize funding for sustainable design and construction of school buildings that ensure optimal health and productivity for students and staff.
  • Funding should be prioritized for sustainable design and construction of school buildings.
  • Costs to implement the legislative requirement for Clean Buildings Performance Standards in 2015 were not funded, an estimated $4 million expense for initial compliance.
  • The district will be required to reprioritize its 2022 Technology and Capital Facility Levy funds in order to comply with these requirements. This will mean that other life-cycle projects may be delayed.