Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Our district’s schools are facing immense financial stress, and it’s unacceptable. Some schools in Blaine and Mt. Baker are on the verge of being nonfunctional. Despite this, our teachers, parents, and community members are doing everything they can to keep our schools running and support our students. But they shouldn’t have to struggle to provide basic education. The way we fund schools isn’t working, and we must change it. It shouldn’t matter what zip code a child lives in—every student deserves an equitable and high-quality education. Especially as a mother of three, I will fight for every piece of legislation that prioritizes fair and adequate school funding because our children’s future depends on it.
Photo Credit: Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News
Investing in Education
One of my key priorities is boosting materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC) allocations. Inflation has eroded Washingtonians’ ability to pay for basic goods and services statewide. Just like households and businesses, school districts have seen their purchasing power shrink, making it harder to afford the materials and services necessary for a basic education. The Legislature provides an MSOC allocation per student, but state funding has not kept up with rising costs. To help remedy this, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is requesting a one-time increase to MSOC allocations, which I fully support because our schools cannot continue to operate effectively without it.
Another urgent priority is removing the cap on special education funding. Every student deserves access to the services they need to succeed, yet current state funding arbitrarily limits the support schools can provide to special education students. We must fully fund special education and uphold our paramount duty to ensure every child receives a high-quality education, no matter their needs and with no exceptions, like many other states.
At the same time, we must continue supporting students, youth, and families experiencing homelessness by restoring funding for the Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP). This nationally recognized program has successfully helped students experiencing and at risk for homelessness by bridging the education and housing systems. With federal budget cuts threatening critical services, continued state investment is essential to ensuring all students have the stability and support they need to succeed.
Lessons Leading to Resilience
One of the most effective education investments we can make in education is outdoor education. This isn’t just about getting kids outside—it’s a direct intervention in addressing trauma and mental health. We’ve only just begun to understand the long-term impact of adverse childhood experiences, and while we recognize the damage that trauma can cause, we must also invest in protective factors that shield children from harm. Outdoor education is one of those protective factors. When we fund programs that provide kids with hands-on, experiential learning in nature, we’re not just enhancing their education—we’re strengthening their mental and emotional resilience.
Outdoor education also creates opportunities for students who struggle in traditional classrooms. We know that simply throwing money at education doesn’t always yield better outcomes, but outdoor education has been shown to improve literacy, leadership, and math skills. It also prepares students for vocational pathways, ensuring that every child—regardless of their learning style—has the chance to succeed.
Fostering Future Success
Another critical investment in our children’s future is early literacy. As Dolly Parton says, “You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.” I’m thrilled that we’ve secured funding to continue Dolly’s Imagination Library program in Washington. This program sends books to nearly 2 million children every month, helping them develop a love of reading from an early age. Early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of future success and investing in programs like this will pay dividends for years to come. You can learn more about the program here.
I am also continuing my efforts to secure dedicated funding for school libraries. Libraries are vital learning spaces that foster literacy, critical thinking, and a love of reading in our students. Every child should have access to a well-funded school library with the resources they need to thrive.
The Bottom Line
Education is the foundation of our state’s future, and every dollar we invest in our children today creates a more stable and prosperous tomorrow. Whether it’s school funding, MSOC allocations, special education, outdoor education, or early literacy programs, I will continue to fight for the resources our students need to thrive.
Sincerely,
