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State Board of Education Statement Regarding Governor Inslee's Proposed Budget

Release Date: 

December 18, 2015

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The State Board of Education is pleased Governor Inslee’s proposed budget makes meaningful enhancements to education spending, including important changes to address the emerging teacher shortages, but feels that bolder action is required at this time.

"This would be a solid supplemental budget under normal circumstances, but given the Supreme Court’s finding of contempt, and the imposition of daily fines on the legislature that continue to mount, these are clearly not normal times. The budget writers need to act with more urgency,” said Isabel Munoz-Colon, Chair of the State Board of Education.

Providing a high-quality education to all Washington students – including historically underserved populations – requires ample and equitable funding. The Legislature needs to provide greater clarity on the permissible uses of local levies and a budget with a reliable and dependable revenue source for our education budget. Legislators should use the 2016 legislative session to propose real and lasting changes to the state’s provision for basic education, and end reliance on levies to fund basic education.

Ample school funding remains the State Board of Education’s highest priority for the 2016 legislative session. Legislators have a unique opportunity in the 2016 legislative session to achieve full constitutional compliance before 2018. The board would like to see legislators act with urgency in the 2016 legislative session to fulfill the state’s duty to make ample provision for all Washington students.

Contact: Stefanie Randolph, SBE Communications Manager (360) 725-6501

About the State Board of Education: The State Board of Education provides advocacy and strategic oversight of public education. The board is comprised of 16 members: five are elected by school board directors, seven are appointed by the Governor, two serve as student representatives, and one serves as a private school representative. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is also a member.

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Media Contact: 

Alissa Muller, SBE Communications Manager, (360) 725-6501