Study Up Washington

That motion fails. We're voting now on final passage. 56-39 appears to be the vote. #waleg

The WA leg House is now debating the final passage of the so-called Parents' Rights Bill: ESSB 5181. @staterepjuliareed.bsky.social is live skeeting.

That's it for K-12 education testimony!

The IT Academy was funded in the 2024 Supplemental Budget. IT was $3 million per year. More info here: ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/defaul...

Lots of testimony in support of the IT Academy, which got cut from the budget.

Sam Fogg from SCPTSA asks the committee to "lean into progressive revenue."

Doug Judge from Center for High School Success testifies in support of funding for the 9th grade success initiative.

Megan Karch from Islandwood testifies to the important of outdoor learning. I guess they eliminated the outdoor learning grant in the budget?

Charlie Brown from South Sounds Superintendents testifies Pro, giving a big thank-you for MSOC increase.

Marissa Rathbone from WSSDA asks them to maintain the levels for special ed and MSOC that are in the bill and asks for no cuts to alternative learning programs.

Tyler Muench from OSPI also testifying Other. He asked them to please "hold the line" on the MSOC level of funding that's in the bill.

Tim Eyman is a no-show.

Heather Christianson from SEIU 1948 is testifying Other. She is concerned about the costs of health care for the lower-wage workers SEIU 1948 represents.

Delaney also asks for fewer cuts in Higher Education. Overall he gives lots of thanks.

Thousands of highly trained WA teachers could have their pay cut State lawmakers are considering legislation that would suspend stipends for teachers who have completed 200 to 400 additional hours of training.

Larry Delaney from WEA says thanks for keeping the NBTC stipends. More on that here. www.seattletimes.com/education-la...

SB 5167, Making 2025-2027 fiscal biennium operating appropriations, is having a hearing in Senate Ways & Means now. This is the Senate Budget. First up is K-12 education commenters.

Great explainer on the WA budget!

Education is our kids future. Education is our country’s future. Mr. President, we will see you in court. www.aft.org/press-releas...

But “we’re not in a constitutional crisis until he defies a Supreme Court order,” according to the Minority Leader in the Senate.

ARTICLE I EXISTS, I keep screaming!

OK that's it for K-12 bills today. Please email the committee members to ask them to pass this bill. Here's a list of the members. leg.wa.gov/about-the-le...

His bio on the op-ed says "Eric Fisk has two children who graduated from Seattle Public Schools and one in special education, and has family and friends working in special education."

Is special education placement the only alternative? Maybe not | Op-Ed Rather than direct even more struggling kids into expensive special education, Seattle Public Schools should use a different system that reaches all students.

Seattle parent Eric Fisk asks the legislature not to remove the cap. He says it incentivizes identification (um, that's not true). Here's a recent op-ed from this person that might explain more. www.seattletimes.com/opinion/is-s...

He cannot do this by executive order. It is illegal.

*His school district is likely to head into binding conditions.

Superintendent Aramaki from Bellevue says that his condition is likely to head into binding conditions this school year if funding isn't increased. He says that special eduction is the biggest driver of their deficit.

Superintendent Jones from Seattle says his current special education deficit is $71 million per year. He says the increased multiplier and lowering the safety net threshold would be the most impactful for Seattle. He says it's a matter of educational justice. #waleg

Larry Delaney from the Washington Education Association says that the Mount Baker school district is in binding conditions because of a $1.4 million deficit. Turns out that their special education deficit is also exactly $1.4 million.

Misha Cherniske from OSPI says this bill would help the smaller, rural school districts the most.

Superintendent Mary Templeton from Lake Stevens says "more than dollars have been lost." She says their district has to focus on how to cut every year instead of using their energy to serve kids.

Northshore School Board Director says their special education funding is $42 million less than what they need.