OSPI STATEMENT: Reykdal - Senate GOP Budget Proposal Affirms Their McCleary Funding Concept

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State Superintendent Chris Reykdal


 

Reykdal: Senate GOP Budget Proposal Affirms Their McCleary Funding Concept

Today, the state Senate Republican Caucus released their proposal for the 2017-19 operating budget. Below is a statement from State Superintendent Chris Reykdal on the proposal.

OLYMPIA—MARCH 21, 2017—The proposal released today by the Senate Republican Caucus affirms their recent plan for funding education in Washington state.

The proposal recognizes the importance of some targeted investments – for example, funding for career and technical education is increased.

However, I am concerned about how the proposal addresses educator compensation. Our education system is only as good as our educators are, and it is unclear if this budget proposal honors that. Salaries must maintain equal footing with other professions so teachers can remain teaching. Our compensation system should always focus on rewarding educators who increase their knowledge, skills and abilities.

The sustainability of the proposal is also a concern. The proposed increases in education funding rest on higher state revenue forecasts, cuts to critical state services and use of one-time fund balances. What happens when we have another recession? Will education and other critical services suffer as a result?

The final negotiated solution to education funding will need to make a significant additional investment in public schools that reflects the aggressive growth of our state’s economy.

 


Contact

Nathan Olson
OSPI Communications Director
360-725-6015

About OSPI

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K–12 education in Washington state. Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI works with the state's 295 school districts and nine educational service districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at 360-725-6162 or P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.