State underfunding schools by 4 billion putting education on the brink of bankruptcy

In 2019, education funding comprised 52% of our state budget; now, it's 43%, which, according to Superintendent of Instruction Chris Reykdal's latest budget request to the governor, puts the annual funding gap between what our state currently provides and what our schools need at $4 billion. Yet recovering from the pandemic isn't the sole cause, as some believe. Nor can school levies fill the gap. Underfunding education, lower student enrollment, and constant budget cuts are the culprits.  Enrollment has increased while staff has decreased for four consecutive years. The following video was part of the October 23rd, 2024 Education Funding Crisis Town Hall meeting at Edmonds-Woodway High School:

We reached out to the following Legislators for comment but only heard back from Rep. Shelley Kloba from the 1st Legislative District that a statement from her would be forthcoming, which we'll add to this article:

derek.stanford@leg.wa.gov,
davina.duerr@leg.wa.gov,
jesse.salomon@leg.wa.gov,
cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov,
lauren.davis@leg.wa.gov,
manka.dhingra@leg.wa.gov,
marko.liias@leg.wa.gov,
strom.peterson@leg.wa.gov,
lillian.ortiz-self@leg.wa.gov,
john.lovick@leg.wa.gov,
shelley.kloba@leg.wa.gov,
larry.springer@leg.wa.gov,
roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov,
brandy.donaghy@leg.wa.gov,
april.berg@leg.wa.gov

Slide from recent town hall courtesy WEA-Cascade UniServ Council

The 2018 "McCleary Decision" helped funding catch up only after the Supreme Court ordered the state to fund education adequately. However, the financing formula is severely outdated.  In 2018, a decision led to new funding problems instead of solving the existing ones. Over the last two school years, districts cut millions worth of services. Edmonds school district alone cut $25 million over two years, according to School Board President Nancy Katims.

The school funding formula is based on the ratio of staff to students. When enrollment goes up, funding goes up, and when enrollment goes down, funding goes down. However, deficits are increasing due to inflation.

Large turnout at Education Funding Crisis Town Hall Meeting on Oct. 23, 2024 @ Edmonds Woodway HS. Photo by author.

The current funding model, based on local resources, is inadequate, and a new model should consider students' actual needs, not just numerical data. The new model should seek input
from district leaders, educators, and citizens. There's a dire need to increase funding for public education to support teachers, paraeducators, and support staff and ensure that all students receive the resources they need to succeed, including smaller class sizes and individualized learning support. A new formula must also invest in early childhood education to spark students' passion and creativity.

The legislature is urged to prioritize education funding during budget-writing sessions to restore public education in Washington to its former level of excellence.

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