Public education in Washington state is in crisis. According to the State Superintendent’s 2025–27 Budget Proposal, Washington currently underfunds K–12 education by $4 billion per year.[1] Despite progress made in recent years, the funding model does not fully account for the evolving needs of students, families, and communities.

Statewide Budget Problems

This budget crisis is not just a local issue—it’s a statewide problem.

School districts across Washington are grappling with severe budget shortfalls, leading to school closures, staff layoffs, and cutbacks. Districts in Seattle, Bellevue, Edmonds, Northshore, Tukwila, Marysville, Olympia, Yakima, Moses Lake, Mount Baker, Prescott (Walla Walla), Yelm, and La Conner are all facing similar challenges.

Washington is Falling Behind

The State Superintendent’s letter highlights that Washington allocates just 43% of its Operating Budget to K-12 education, down from over 50% in 2019. As a share of its economy, Washington invests 3.1% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in K-12 education, well below the national average of 3.6%. High-performing states like Massachusetts spend over $21,000 per student, compared to Washington’s $17,000 per student.

This gap is particularly alarming given the increasing demands placed on schools today. Washington’s school system is responsible for far more than education alone—it provides critical mental health services, addresses behavioral challenges, supports students in poverty, and serves as a hub for community-based partnerships. Yet, these essential services are underfunded.

Special Education Shortfalls

One of the most critical funding gaps lies in special education. Seattle Public Schools (SPS) spends over $100 million more on special education than it receives from state and federal funding sources. Washington state’s failure to fully fund special education is emblematic of the broader crisis: the state’s contribution to K-12 education is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of its students.

Levy Lid Restrictions

School districts are further constrained by the state-imposed cap on operations levies, which limits their ability to raise local funds. Seattle’s most recent levy in 2022 provided the maximum amount allowed and passed with overwhelming support (78% of the vote). Yet, even with this local funding, school districts are expected to cover the majority of their operational costs through state and federal funding—primarily from the state.

November General Election

The November general election also has massive implications for school funding. Washington voters will elect a new governor, and will vote on state legislators and ballot initiatives, all of which will impact school funding. Initiative 2109, repealing the capital gains excise tax imposed on long-term capital assets by individuals with capital gains over $250,000, will dramatically cut school funding state-wide if passed.

Take Action Today!

Write to your state legislators and demand that they start to address the $4 billion annual shortfall in K-12 education funding for the 2025-2026 biennium. Together, we can ensure our schools have the resources they need to provide a world-class education for every student. Take Action Today!

Washington’s public schools are the cornerstone of our communities, but they cannot thrive without adequate funding. The future of our children—and our state—depends on fully funding K-12 education.

[1] https://ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/2024-09/2025-27-biennium-superintendent-reykdal-operating-budget-letter-governor-inslee.pdf