Dear [Your Elected Official],

<p>I’m writing as a concerned parent and community member to urge you to include Superintendent Reykdal’s K-12 Operating Budget requests in the state’s 2025–27 budget. Our current funding model no longer covers the real costs of running schools in 2024. Increasing costs for essential services: mental health supports, individualized learning, and basic operations are forcing many districts to make cuts that disproportionately affect students who need the most support.</p> <p>It is disappointing that Washington, one of the wealthiest states in the nation, is not prioritizing education. The state now allocates only 43% of its operating budget to K-12 education, down from over 50% in 2019. This underfunding puts Washington behind other high-performing states and threatens the future of our children.</p> <p>Superintendent Reykdal’s budget proposal addresses critical needs by funding special education, student transportation, and making inflation adjustments for materials, supplies, and operating costs. Without these essential investments, school districts across the state will continue to face significant challenges.</p> <p>Short-term austerity measures like school closures only shift the burden to our children without addressing the root of the crisis. Washington needs sustainable funding solutions to secure the future of public education.</p> <p>Please include Superintendent Reykdal’s budget requests in the 2025–27 Operating Budget to ensure all schools have the resources they need.</p>