Legislative Advocacy Series: Understanding the 2027 WASBO Legislative Priorities (Recording)-WASBO 2027 Legislative Priorities PPT

WASBO 2027 Legislative Priorities PPT - 08.26.26

Pdf Summary

The document outlines WASBO’s 2027 Legislative Priorities for Washington school districts, focused on strengthening financial stability and protecting student learning. It explains the background, data, and advocacy role of school business officials.

WASBO’s four main priorities are:
1. <strong>Strengthen financial stability</strong> by creating a statewide financial monitoring framework, using tiered ending fund balance standards, requiring 3-year financial projections, adding a November financial review, expanding ESD technical assistance, and improving financial governance training.
2. <strong>Modernize the substitute funding model</strong> to better match today’s staffing realities. Current state funding covers fewer substitute days and lower reimbursement than districts need, especially for classified staff and mandated sick leave.
3. <strong>Address rising insurance and liability costs</strong>, which are increasing much faster than enrollment and general operating costs. WASBO wants updated rating methods, review of liability policies, and continued targeted funding support.
4. <strong>Preserve school funding equity</strong> so students have fair access to educational opportunities regardless of location. This includes refining regionalization, improving levy equalization, and protecting student opportunity.

The presentation also supports broader K–12 funding goals, including fully funding special education and modernizing school construction bond requirements, including support for a constitutional amendment allowing simple-majority bond approval.

A central message is that early warning systems and stronger state support can prevent districts from reaching financial crisis, avoiding program cuts, staff reductions, and state intervention. The document emphasizes that school business officials play a key advocacy role by explaining issues clearly, using local examples, sharing data, and building relationships with legislators and communities.

It also promotes follow-up sessions designed to help participants tell their district stories and engage effectively during the 2027 legislative session.

Keywords

WASBO

2027 Legislative Priorities

Washington school districts

financial stability

substitute funding model

insurance and liability costs

school funding equity

special education funding

school construction bonds

legislative advocacy