I’m writing as a concerned community member from your district, deeply troubled by the state’s funding gap for K-12 education 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.

I’m writing to you as part of the Billion Dollar Bake Sale Washington campaign. We are here to highlight that no amount of bake sale fundraising can close the funding gap for K-12 education. Bold leadership in Olympia is needed now to help Washington communities.

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 2025-2027 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 now.

With potential threats to public education from the incoming federal administration, this is a moment for you as our representatives to stand up as a state and boldly show our country that we will prioritize funding the true cost of what it means to educate our kids, including investing in their needs and rights.

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 and our economy.

We cannot allow this crisis to continue. We are counting on you to take bold action for our kids. You have the power to ensure every child in Washington receives the education they deserve.

Please take action to secure ample funding for K-12 education and ensure that Washington schools have the resources they need to provide a world-class education for all students.