Puyallup schools are underfunded despite public support. The legislature must act
Washington State legislators,
As the sixth-largest district in the state, Puyallup School District serves 23,000 students whose futures rely on your decisions regarding public education funding. Insufficient state funding significantly hinders our capacity to deliver even a basic, quality education that our students deserve. The lack of adequate financial resources directly compromises the essential education we strive to provide. We — the Puyallup School Board, district and education association — urgently call upon you to address funding shortfalls threatening our students' opportunities and community vitality.
Our community has consistently demonstrated their support for public education by passing crucial measures, such as the ongoing passage of EP&O levies and the capital levy in February 2024. This commitment was further exemplified in our recent bond proposal, where, despite its failure due to insufficient voter turnout, an impressive 63.36% approval rate reflected the community's willingness to invest in our schools. Even with our community's generous contributions, they cannot fully compensate for the significant gap in state funding.
Please take immediate action on these critical matters:
Fund special education per the original SB 5263. Our district's underfunding since 2020 totals $23.21 million.
Fund materials, supplies and operating costs according to the original HB 1338. Puyallup School District has faced a $47.43 million shortfall since 2020.
Update the transportation funding formula to reflect actual costs, especially for McKinney-Vento and special needs students. An outdated formula has caused a $7.84 million deficit since 2020.
Puyallup SD faces a cumulative $78.48 million funding gap since 2020. Inadequate state funding and rising costs have already forced significant budget cuts. Last year, a $12 million deficit caused major staff reductions, and as we plan for next year, significant reductions will need to be made if the legislature does not act.
To address K-12 education's dire funding needs, we urge the state to prioritize finding new, sustainable revenue sources. It is crucial to fulfill the state's responsibility of providing equitable and adequate funding for our schools. This means reversing the declining trend in education's share of the state budget, which has severely impacted our ability to provide quality education to our students.
Without this support, we will continue to face devastating financial challenges that ultimately impact the quality of education we can provide to students. The time to act is now. Please make the necessary changes to secure the future of our public education system in Washington State.
Maddie Names is president of the Puyallup School District Board of Directors. She has served on the board since 2017. John Polm has served as the Puyallup School District superintendent since 2020. Bob Horton has served as the president of the Puyallup Education Association since 2021.
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