We are committed to improving outcomes for all students through the provision of basic education with the services and supports students need to engage in their learning. The current formulas to allocate state funding to school districts result in funding gaps that require districts to use local funds to cover the costs of meeting students’ needs. We are grateful that the legislature has made progress in addressing some of these structural issues, particularly in special education in 2025, but more remains to be done to ensure every student is provided state-funded access to their basic education and mandated services.  

Special Education. Continue to increase the special education multiplier to fully fund special education services at the state level to cover the cost of serving students, as determined by their IEPs (Individual Education Plans) or their Section 504 accommodations. Invest in inclusionary practices, including providing professional development.  

Transportation. Revise the student transportation funding formula to be transparent, predictable, and fully cover the actual costs of student transportation. Allow additional types of contracted transportation services to qualify for funding for students requiring specialized transportation, such as students with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, or in foster care.  Fund the transition costs for increasing benefits for transportation contractors to SEBB levels.

Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs. Increase the Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOC) rate to account for significant increases in costs to districts, such as liability insurance rates and fuel costs. Add an inflation factor to the rate to keep up with increasing costs in future years.

Protect and Maintain Funding Levels. Costs continue to outpace investment in K-12, even while enrollments are declining. Keep K-12 education funding at current and inflation-adjusted levels. Re-invest any declining enrollment amounts equitably into the K-12 system.

In addition to the funding priorities above, we are focusing on the heart of what we do as a school system: providing excellence in education for every student through high-quality teaching and learning experiences to prepare every Seattle Public Schools student for college, career, and community.

High-quality instruction. Increase access to high-quality instruction by investing in educators and instructional tools. Invest in attracting and retaining diverse, culturally responsive, and effective educators, including paraeducators and substitute teachers. Invest in tools for students and educators, including culturally responsive curricula and professional development to support inclusive practices.

Safe and supportive schools. Invest in trauma-informed mental health and social emotional supports, as well as restorative practices. Invest in staff and systems to provide physically safe school buildings and learning environments for our students.

New state requirements. Limit new legislative policies and requirements to allow school districts to focus on helping students succeed academically and implementing current requirements with fidelity.

To provide our students with the opportunities and education to meet their goals, we need to provide high-quality learning spaces, sustainable operations, and additional services, including through contracted third-parties.

High-quality and sustainable capital investments. Provide state capital funding for accessible, high-quality learning environments. Allow for flexibility in the use of local capital funds to cover maintenance costs and purchase curriculum. Support school districts’ success in achieving the goals of the state Clean Buildings Performance Standard and reducing the district’s carbon footprint by providing funding for required assessments and allowing use of capital funds to purchase electric vehicles.

Sales Tax on Retail Services. Exempt school districts from the retail sales tax expansion in SB 5814 to services used to support students, such as information technology support and temporary staffing.