Some of the most controversial cuts Seattle Public Schools had been facing – including librarians and counselors – will not happen after all, the district says, because of what the Legislature did before adjourning late last night. Here’s the SPS statement:

The Legislative session in Olympia ended on Sunday, April 28. Due to the Legislature’s actions, Seattle Public Schools will be able to collect $3,000 per student from local, voter-approved funds beginning in 2020.

This will restore $12.2 million directly to classrooms in the 2019-20 school year, with an estimated total increase in revenue of $16 million, and will provide an estimated additional $28 million to the district beginning with the 2020-21 school year.

This restored revenue, along with increased flexibility to use capital funds for maintenance costs, will help SPS address some of the $40 million budget shortfall for the 2019-20 school year. It supports restoration of the most critical supports for our students – our school-based staff.

We want to thank the Seattle Legislative Delegation for its leadership on restoring this much-needed Levy authority, particularly Senate Ways and Means Committee Vice Chair David Frockt, Senator Jamie Pedersen, Senator Reuven Carlyle, and Representative Gael Tarleton. We also want to thank Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Christine Rolfes for her efforts on behalf of school districts.

Based on the SPS budget shortfall anticipated prior to the Legislature’s final action on the state budget, 2019-20 school-based cuts — which included librarians, counselors, and assistant principals — will be restored. Other budget reductions, including those to central office, will move forward.

“With sweeping changes to K-12 funding, fine tuning was needed and will need to continue. A huge thanks to the Legislature, especially our local delegation, for recognizing the challenges and increasing Seattle’s levy collection authority,” said Superintendent Juneau. “Our local
legislative delegation has been fighting hard for our students and staff across the entire state. I also want to thank the families, educators, district staff, and students who raised their voice and shared their concerns with decision-makers in Olympia. This win for Seattle students is because of you.”

While SPS can access additional funding for next school year, many districts cannot. There are many districts across the state that will manage large budget shortfalls next year and into future years. SPS has and will continue to advocate for ample K-12 funding for all of Washington State’s children, including those that receive specialized services.

Superintendent Juneau expressed her deep gratitude to Senator Frockt and our legislative delegation for their work on the capital budget, with Seattle Public Schools receiving $18 million for additional classroom construction at Leschi Elementary and Madison Middle Schools, and funding for a new HVAC system at North Beach Elementary School.

The state’s Special Education budget increase is a down payment on a much-needed long term solution. Next year, Seattle Public Schools will receive an additional $2 million for Special Education.

Annually, the district spends $70 million of local levy funds to provide the services our students need. We appreciate the increase for Special Education, but continue to have grave concerns about the state’s slow pace in fully funding Special Education as is required by law.

“The fight for full funding of public education is not over,” said SPS School Board President Leslie Harris. “While we are very grateful for the new infusion of money, Special Education continues to be underfunded statewide, including in Seattle. Special Education funds outlined in the state’s two-year budget continue to fall short of what our students need and deserve. We are committed to working with our representatives and others in Olympia to get this resolved.”

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