YOUTH ADVOCACY HUB
BACKGROUND:
The state's K-12 funding formula specifies that each level of school (elementary, middle, and high) should receive funding to hire a specific number of each staff found in a school, such as teachers, principals, office staff, custodians, etc… The state formula sets the student to staff ratio for each staff position for elementary, middle, and high schools and determines what salary level each position is funded for by the state. The district receives this funding, but is able to determine what staff they hire and how much salary they pay to hire each staff position in a school.
There are other aspects of state funding formulas, but this part of the funding formula makes up the majority of K-12 education funding district’s receive.
State funding formulas provide funding for higher staff salaries for districts with higher property values. This is intended to address the higher cost of hiring staff in areas with higher costs of living.
SUMMARY:
House Bill 1960: This proposal would increase the number of teaching assistants each school is funded for in the state funding formula.
Each district would receive additional funding for all their elementary, middle, and high schools to support the hiring or retaining of teaching assistants.
Senate Bill 5882: This proposal would increase the number of staff positions schools are funded for in two different staffing categories: Paraeducators (which includes teaching assistants and other staff who support a teacher in providing instruction) and Office Support/other non-instructional aids.
Each district would receive additional funding for all their elementary, middle, and high schools to support the hiring of these staff positions
The additional funding generated by this bill is required to be used to support increased staffing, prevent layoffs, or increase salaries for paraeducators, office support, and non-instructional aides in the 2024-25 school year. This requirement would not be in place after the 2024-25 school year
POINTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS BILL:
Currently, most districts are spending more money than they receive from the state to hire teaching assistants. This means districts commonly use funding from other sources to attract and retain teaching assistants.
This bill would increase funding for all districts and schools across Washington state equally, not equitably. Wealthier districts and lower-income districts would be provided with resources to hire the same number of staff per-student, even if student need is greater in the lower-income district. The state funding formula is for allocation purposes only, so districts will be ultimately be able to determine how they spend these additional resources.
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HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Steps to Get Started
Learn where the bill is in the legislative process.
If there is an upcoming hearing, decide how you would like to get your voice heard and take action.
If there is not an upcoming hearing, or if you want to supplement your advocacy, call or write your legislators.
Spread the word and get other people on board.
Participating in a Hearing
Sign in Pro, Con, or Other
This is when individuals, advocates, and organizations make their position on a particular bill known for the record. This is particularly powerful in large numbers. Many organizations will send out Action Alerts asking people to sign in Pro or Con on a bill.
Submit Written Testimony
Submitting written testimony is a great way not only to make your position known, to legislators but also to explain why in more detail. This is a good option if you don't want to speak in front of others. People also like to offer more nuance to their position by writing.
Testify Virtually
Since COVID, many legislators are allowing remote/virtual testimony for bill hearings, as it greatly expands access to the legislative process across the state. For this, individuals usually have between 1-2 minutes to state their opinion on a bill in front of the legislative committee on Zoom.
Testify In Person
To testify on a bill in person, you must travel to Olympia and join the real-time committee hearing on the Capitol campus. You will also get between 1-2 minutes to state your opinion. This is often a powerful way to make an impression on legislators in the room.