Friends and Neighbors,
As students throughout Washington state returned to school this fall, many communities are expressing relief that the start of the new school year felt “almost normal.” While there is no doubt that the global pandemic continues to impact the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health of students and school staff, I am proud that we passed meaningful legislation and increased funding to provide tools, opportunities, and support that create the conditions in which teaching and learning can thrive.
2023 Educational Policy Successes
A cornerstone of educational policies adopted last session was building a fair and equitable system for Washington’s next generation of leaders. I believe the following bills and investments move us one step closer to achieving this vision:
- House Bill 1238 – Food costs have risen dramatically during COVID, and now 1 in 8 children in Washington state faces hunger. Forty-seven percent of our Black families experience food insecurity, the highest of any group. HB 1238 expands access to free school meals to an additional 90,000 students in Washington, on top of 350,000 students who gained access through legislation last year.
- House Bill 1436 – Students with special education needs are entitled to a free and appropriate public education. HB 1436 adds $417 million in new funding to support special education services across our state by adjusting our funding formula multiplier and increasing the cap on special education funding from 13.5 percent to 15 percent.
- House Bill 1550 – HB 1550 puts into statute the transition to kindergarten program. This is a prekindergarten program for four-year-old learners who are deemed to need additional preparation to ensure they are kindergarten ready by age five. These programs are optional for school districts and coordinated between the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
- Senate Bill 5257 – Recess is important for physical health as well as for the social and cognitive development of students. This legislation requires that elementary-age students receive a minimum of 30 minutes of daily recess.
- House Bill 1701 – Students who are involved in the justice system continue to have a constitutional right to public education. HB 1701 clarifies that the state Superintendent of Public Instruction is ultimately responsible for ensuring these students receive their educational service so they will thrive when they rejoin our communities.
In addition to these legislative measures, we worked to address enrollment decline in the schools during the pandemic by providing a full “backfill” of funding during the last 2 years for schools. While structural challenges lie ahead for local school districts that were unable to pass local levies or make up budget deficits, I remain committed to providing each and every child an education that is safe, fully staffed, and meets their needs. ‘
With more than $2.2 billion invested in the 2023-25 biennial operating budget, I trust that school districts will make budget decisions that reflect the needs of students. I am also excited to share that our state capital budget includes $872 million in funding for public school construction, and another $70 million for early learning facility grants.
For a discussion of my thoughts on the future of education in Washington, click here or on the image above.
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Communities across our state continue to face disparities in survival, treatment, and stage at diagnosis. These disparities are often due to factors such as race and ethnicity, insurance, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. As a cancer survivor, I am deeply committed to passing policies that improve access to diagnosis and treatment, to build health care systems that are culturally sensitive and responsive, and to eliminate disparities in outcomes of Ovarian Cancer.
Stay In Touch
By remaining active in the public process, we can improve our community and ensure equitable representation at the state level. Please also consider following me on Facebook and contacting my office to share your perspective.
Thank you,
Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos