Legislative Advocacy Series: Understanding the 2027 WASBO Legislative Priorities-2027 WASBO Legislative Priorities Final

2027 WASBO Legislative Priorities Final - 08.13.26

Pdf Summary

The Washington Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) outlines its 2027 legislative priorities focused on strengthening financial stability and protecting student learning in Washington schools. The group argues that current school funding models are outdated and no longer match today’s workforce and cost realities.<br /><br />Key priorities include modernizing the substitute funding model by increasing funded substitute days, providing funding for classified substitutes, updating daily substitute reimbursement rates, and funding mandated substitute sick leave and benefits. WASBO also calls for a statewide financial monitoring framework, tiered ending fund balance standards, annual three-year financial projections, expanded ESD technical assistance, a November financial “true-up” review, and stronger financial governance training.<br /><br />Another major priority is addressing rising insurance and liability costs, which have increased faster than enrollment and operating costs. Suggested actions include modernizing insurance rating methods, evaluating a statewide victims compensation fund, reviewing liability statutes, and continuing targeted MSOC investments.<br /><br />WASBO also wants to preserve school funding equity by refining regionalization groupings and improving levy equalization so students have fair access to educational resources regardless of where they live.<br /><br />The document supports broader K-12 funding goals, including fully funding special education services, reducing reliance on local levies, and supporting a constitutional amendment to allow simple-majority approval for school construction bonds.<br /><br />Overall, WASBO warns that without action, districts may face financial crises, staff cuts, delayed maintenance, reduced programs, and state intervention. With proactive funding and monitoring, schools can improve stability, workforce support, safe operations, and student success.

Keywords

WASBO

Washington schools

legislative priorities

school funding

financial stability

substitute funding

insurance costs

levy equalization

special education funding

K-12 finance