We are urging state lawmakers to take meaningful action on literacy, special education funding, transportation, operating costs and school facilities as part of its 2026 legislative agenda.
The 2025 legislative session brought minimal progress for K–12 funding. With 2026 expected to be a short session, we are joining districts across Washington in calling for immediate and targeted action where it matters most.
Like many school districts across Washington and the nation, Highline continues to face funding challenges. The state’s funding for basic education has not kept pace with rising costs for essentials such as insurance, utilities and other operating expenses.
To maintain long-term financial stability, Highline will reduce its budget by about $8 million for the 2026–27 year. These adjustments will help Highline stay focused on students and learning even as costs rise faster than revenue.
Our 2026 legislative agenda emphasizes concerns shared across Washington:
- The state lacks a comprehensive literacy strategy, leaving districts without dedicated funding for universal screening, coaching, and high-quality instructional materials aligned to the science of reading.
- Districts continue to rely heavily on local levies to fund operating costs, supplies and transportation, which should be fully state funded under Washington’s constitutional requirement to amply fund basic education. Local levies are intended to be used to fund enrichment activities which is not possible with current state funding levels.
- Rising inflation and increasing operational costs are outpacing the state’s funding formulas, leaving districts without adequate support for essential supplies, maintenance and day-to-day school operations. Current funding levels no longer reflect the real costs of running a school district, forcing districts to stretch local dollars to cover basic needs.
“Literacy is the foundation for every student’s success. We cannot expect stronger outcomes without a comprehensive statewide approach,” said Highline School Board President Joe Van. “Our students and educators deserve the tools and resources that research shows make a difference.”
The 2026 legislative agenda was approved by the Highline School Board at its December 2025 meeting and aligns with priorities advanced by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA), the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), and districts across the region and state.
Highline Public Schools 2026 Legislative Priorities
1. Literacy
Washington must adopt a comprehensive, statewide, fully funded literacy strategy with universal screening, high-quality instructional materials, and sustained coaching and training aligned to the science of reading. Other states such as California, Maryland and Oregon have already made these investments, and Washington risks falling further behind without dedicated action.
2. Fully Fund Special Education
The state must immediately close funding gaps and meet its constitutional responsibility to provide ample funding for all students, including those who receive special education services and support.
3. Increase Materials, Supplies & Operating Costs (MSOC) Funding
Rising costs for insurance, food, transportation and basic operations far exceed current state MSOC allocations. Funding formulas must be updated to reflect actual district expenses.
4. Support Capital Facilities
Highline urges lawmakers to lower the bond validation threshold to a simple majority and update construction formulas to reflect real-world building costs. These changes are essential to maintain safe, modern learning environments for all students.
5. Fix Student Transportation Funding
Washington’s transportation funding model is unpredictable, insufficient, and especially harmful to students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and students receiving special education services. Restoring the transportation “safety net” and updating STARS reporting requirements are critical.
Budget Development Process
We’ve been sharing regular updates on our work to reduce the 2026-27 budget by $8 million to maintain long-term financial stability. Here are the articles we have shared so far:
- May 2025: We outlined the impacts of the new state budget and the underfunding in special education, transportation and basic operations.
- July 2025: The School Board voted to place a levy renewal on the November ballot to help fill the gap in state funding.
- September 2025: We shared more detail about what the levy could support, including programs, services and staff not funded by the state.
- October: Superintendent Ivan Duran shared we must reduce our 2026-27 budget by $8 million to maintain long-term stability.
- November: Department leaders began reviewing budgets to identify potential reductions and efficiencies.