Dear VPS community,
If the legislature doesn’t act on a comprehensive set of solutions to provide full funding for basic education, vital programs and services that serve students will be at-risk throughout the state. Today, the Seattle Times reports that 253 of the 295 Washington districts expect to face a budget shortfall next school year. Further, more than one-third of the districts anticipate the need to draw down their entire cash reserves over the next three years. A district insolvency crisis looms on the horizon.
I urge you to read the following article for more details. VPS advocacy efforts are highlighted in the story.
https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/legislatures-solution-to-mccleary-school-funding-case-leaves-most-state-districts-projecting-budget-shortfalls/
As I’ve said, again and again, we did not create this situation. Now, more than ever, we all need to advocate for sensible policy solutions to the “McCleary mess” handed to us by elected leaders in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Steve Webb