Seattle Public Schools |

2006 State Legislative Agenda

TOP PRIORITIES

Seattle Public Schools supports measures that:

School Funding

Develop long-term funding strategies for K-12 education.
Provide immediate funding relief via ten specific short-term strategies, listed below.

WASL

Develop and implement alternative assessments to the WASL for all students available on request.
Use comparable multiple measures to determine high school graduation so that students either pass the WASL or another credible measure of academic achievement, demonstrating that students have met state learning standards.
Provide additional funding to help 4th, 7th, 9th and 10th grade students pass the WASL and for students retaking the WASL or preparing for alternative assessments, ensuring that students receive support to stay in school until graduation.

Readiness to Learn

Promote indoor air and water quality and a healthy learning environment.
Increase access to quality early learning and care.
Support building strong families and communities.

SHORT-TERM FUNDING STRATEGIES

Renew SB 6211—SB 6211 allows districts to add I-732 dollars not currently allocated by the Legislature into the levy base. If 6211 is not renewed, Seattle School District will lose $3 million in local levy funding.
Return levy base multiplier to 5.2%—In 2006, the multiplier was reduced to 3.4%, resulting in a loss of $5 million to Seattle Public Schools.
Remove the cap on special education funding and reimburse districts for 100% of required special education services—The Legislature currently caps special education funding at 12.7% of enrollment. Actual special education enrollment in Seattle Public Schools is 13.4%.
Fund all-day kindergarten—The state’s basic education formula pays for half-day kindergarten. “All-day K” has become the norm but, without local levy support, may not be available to all students, causing a preventable achievement gap.
Increase the levy lid—School districts should be able to increase their levy lids to address emergency situations.
Increase equalization funding—School districts unable to raise adequate local funding should have access to additional funding to keep on par with districts that are able to raise more local funding.
Change the capital budget rules—School districts that plan major renovations of existing schools, rather than new schools, should also benefit.
Subsidize fuel costs—A subsidy is requested to assist with unexpected increases in fuel costs.
Support simple majority requirement for passage of school funding measures.
Support housing cost equalization—Allow voters to approve countywide levies to fund regional salary supplements for educators, helping to equalize the high cost of housing for school employees in many parts of the state.