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January 31, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
My office has received comments and questions about the potential closure of Columbia Elementary in Wenatchee. A school closure is a significant step that can understandably lead to concerns from staff, parents, and community members. As your State Senator and a former school board member, I haven’t yet experienced a school closure in our region, but it does occur throughout Washington, a state with 295 different school districts.
Local decision for Wenatchee School District
It is important to note that school districts are local governments, administered by their superintendents and overseen by locally elected boards. Districts receive local, state, and federal funding and are responsible for operating their districts in a financially responsible manner. School districts should continually align their staffing levels and facilities with their expected enrollment. In past years, Wenatchee School District struggled to do this and had a major accounting error that compounded their challenges. However, in recent years, school officials have seemingly been more focused on balancing their revenues and expenditures, which is very positive.
 As the ranking member of the Senate’s Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, I work closely on statewide education issues and am familiar with school closures. Before being elected to the Legislature, I served for nearly 10 years on the North Central Educational Service District and Eastmont School boards.
Continually aligning spending and revenues
Keeping spending aligned with funding is a continual process and can often lead to difficult choices, as I know from my past years on the Eastmont Board during its financial crisis many years ago. However, making sound financial decisions – even if politically difficult – is very important for the long-term fiscal sustainability of a school district. I encourage families and community members to stay engaged with Wenatchee School District as it continues the school closure consideration process and to communicate with the district on other important issues.
The Wenatchee Valley’s population is expected to increase in the coming years, but much of the growth could occur in the East Wenatchee and Douglas County areas, where there is more room for growth, rather than within Wenatchee itself, which is a more mature community with fewer new home developments. When considering the growing local housing costs, it is prudent to forecast a different demographic in Wenatchee in future years, likely involving fewer younger families. Also, with expanding public charter schools and private school options for parents, it is understandable to assume some Wenatchee families will choose those options.
 Many of the 295 districts in Washington experience enrollment fluctuations. While state, local, and federal funding is now nearly $18,000 per student, school districts receive less revenue as their enrollment declines. Districts should consider all options to keep their operational expenditures in line with incoming revenues.
Considering long-term sustainability
While planning a school closure is challenging, I appreciate Wenatchee School District for continuing to work to align its operational costs with its projected enrollment and look for efficiencies. Considering a school closure is not an easy process and can be unpopular, but ensuring the long-term sustainability of the school district is very important. I encourage the district to focus on transparency and good communications throughout this process. I wish Wenatchee School District officials and staff the best as they work through this difficult process, hoping they make decisions in the best interest of the community and district.
For more information about the Wenatchee School District budget process, including upcoming public hearings on March 21 and April 18, click here.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
I hope this email provides some insight into my perspectives on this important local issue. Please know that my position as State Senator exists to serve you. If you have any questions about the legislative session timeline, state budgets, or other topics, please contact me at senatorbradhawkins.org. Please call our Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 if you need immediate assistance. Be sure to like and follow me on Facebook @SenatorBradHawkins, for my latest updates.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.
Sincerely,
 Brad Hawkins
State Senator Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
Website: senatorbradhawkins.org
P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
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