Posted November 9, 2009

Full funding of basic education programs, both now and into the future, continues to be a priority for WSSDA going into the 2010 legislative session next January.

The association’s legislative package, adopted by the WSSDA Board of Directors last month, emphasizes WSSDA’s support for full implementation of the Legislature’s long-term plan to develop a new definition of basic education and a new system to pay for it. The Legislature committed to an overhaul of the state’s basic education finance system earlier this year with the adoption of HB 2261.

The priority list underscores the importance of fully funding current basic education programs while the new system is being developed. In addition, the package reminds lawmakers of the association’s continuing opposition to "unfunded mandates"—legislative requirements placed on school districts without funding to pay for them.

The package also reinforces WSSDA’s commitment to local governance of school districts by publicly elected school boards, particularly as the State Board of Education develops recommendations for a K-12 performance accountability system and as the Obama administration pushes for initiatives such as charter schools and intervention in low-performing schools.

Last September, the WSSDA Legislative Assembly adopted 44 legislative proposals (in addition to the association’s 36 standing legislative positions). The legislative package adopted by the board is based on an advisory vote conducted at the assembly and on the recommendations of the WSSDA A Legislative Committee.

WSSDA Director of Governmental Relations Dan Steele noted that the legislative package is a "short list" of WSSDA’s highest priorities. "WSSDA staff will continue to do everything possible to support every proposal and position adopted by the assembly," he said. "The legislative package concentrates on the highest of our association’s priorities and directs WSSDA staff to spend the larger amount of effort on these issues."

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