By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org
After an exceptionally tough and challenging session, the Washington State Legislature adjourned around 6:30 PM on April 27th, the final day of the regularly scheduled 105-day session.
When the 2025-27 operating budget was revealed by the Conference Committee on Saturday, April 26th, one of the best bits of news was that the concept of reducing apportionment payments in February, March and April (and then returning them to school districts in the August apportionment) for the next two school years was nowhere to be found. The Legislature chose NOT to shift the apportionment and destabilize school districts and create cash flow issues.
Other highlights:
Materials, Supplies & Operating Costs (MSOC) are increased by $78.89 million over the biennium.
- This equates to $35.27 above inflation for the 2025-26 school year and $37.76 for the 2026-27 school year.
- As background, this year’s MSOC for all students is $1,533.02 and an additional $204.03 for students in grades 9-12.
- Increase to 2025-26 school year: $1,614.28 all students; $214.84 grades 9-12.
- Increase to 2026-27 school year: $1,656.25 all students; $220.43 grades 9-12.
- Increases for Skill Center/CTE: $1,810.11 2025-26; $1,857.17 2026-27.
Special Education
- $12.8 million for 20 pilot schools to establish school-wide centers of excellence for inclusionary practices.
- $4 million for six demonstration sites to support inclusive teaching practices and student behavior management practices and 16 pilot sites committed to adopting best practices for inclusionary practices.
- $11.8 million for the quarterly safety net payments
- Removing the 16% cap = $81 million over the biennium
- Multiplier = $192.9 million over the biennium
- Safety net threshold change = $35 million
- $12.4 million to support students from age 21 through 22
LEA is increased for eligible districts by $150 in Calendar Year 2026, and $250 in Calendar Year 2027.
- Equates to $137 million.
- HB 2049 changes the LEA inflation adjustment from Seattle CPI to IPD = ($6.38M savings to the state)
The Transition to Kindergarten program is funded at the February caseload forecast levels of 7,266 slots or $190.1 million.
- There is also funding for caseload increases in the 2024-25 school year of $15.77 million.
Community Eligibility Program (school meals) enhancement
- $17.9 million over the interim
No reductions to National Board Certificated Teacher bonuses.
A more detailed review will be completed over the next week, but see below for the 2025-27 biennial operating and capital budgets for quick review.
