Statewide: Advocate for Fully Funded Schools Across Washington

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Email Subject:

Dear [Your Elected Official],

I’m writing as a concerned community member from your district, deeply troubled by the state of education funding in Washington. School districts across the state are grappling with severe financial shortfalls, which are negatively impacting students, teachers, and communities. Districts are being forced to close schools, cut essential services, and lay off staff, leaving students without the resources they need to thrive.
Districts like Edmonds, Northshore, Tukwila, Marysville, Olympia, Yakima, Moses Lake, Mount Baker, Seattle, Prescott (Walla Walla), Yelm, and La Conner are all facing significant challenges, highlighting the statewide nature of this crisis.
This situation demands immediate attention, and the only real solution is additional funding for K-12 schools. I am urging the Legislature to allocate an additional $4 billion annually for the 2025-2026 biennium. This is not just about addressing a broken funding model; it is about ensuring every student in Washington has access to a quality education.
Our current funding model, which was designed to ensure fair distribution, no longer meets the real costs of running a school in 2024. The increasing costs of essential services—such as mental health supports, individualized learning, and basic operational needs—are not accounted for in the current budget. As a result, many districts are being forced to make harmful cuts that disproportionately affect the students who need support the most.
It is deeply disappointing that Washington, one of the wealthiest states, is not prioritizing education. The state allocates just 43% of its operating budget to K-12 education, down from over 50% in 2019. High-performing states like Massachusetts invest far more per student than Washington does. This chronic underfunding threatens not just the quality of education but also the future of our children.
Whether through lifting the levy lid, better leveraging the capital gains tax, or exploring other revenue options, the Legislature must take bold action. You have the power to ensure every child in Washington receives the education they deserve, and I am counting on your leadership to address this urgent issue.
We cannot allow this crisis to continue. Please take action to secure adequate funding for K-12 education and ensure that schools in districts like those I’ve mentioned, and across the state, have the resources they need to provide a world-class education for all students.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Your City & State]

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Summary

School districts across Washington are facing severe budget crises, with many operating under financial distress that threatens the quality of education. Districts such as La Conner, Mount Baker, Prescott, Tukwila, Yelm, and Marysville have received binding conditions letters due to their ongoing financial challenges, and Marysville School District is under enhanced financial oversight. Austerity measures, such as these closures and cuts, are short-term fixes that harm student learning and place the burden of this crisis on the backs of children. These measures do not address the underlying funding problems, and ultimately, the state will still need to step up and provide sustainable solutions. We need our state legislators to allocate an additional $4 billion annually for K-12 education for the 2025-2026 biennium to prevent further cuts, layoffs, and closures. Our state has the resources to fully fund its public schools, yet continues to fall short. It’s time to prioritize our children’s education. Take action today! Sign the letter to the right to send a message to your state legislators to fully funding for Washington’s schools. Together, we can secure a better future for every student. Please note that the name of your legislator will not populate when you enter your address. It will be added after you click "Send email."

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Your State Senator(s) and State Representative