Dorn Fights for Students in His 2016 Legislative Budget Request
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Dorn Fights for Students in His 2016 Legislative Budget Request
OLYMPIA — November 2, 2015 — State Superintendent Randy Dorn released his budget request last week in which he presses Gov. Jay Inslee and the Legislature to fulfill their constitutional duty to fully fund basic education.
Dorn based the size of his request on the comprehensive plan he shared publicly and with the Governor and legislative leaders in April.
Dorn is adamant that the Legislature invest an additional $172.9 million during the short 2016 legislative session. The money will be applied to basic education, including the highly capable program, migrant and bilingual education and support for struggling students.
Dorn said the money is necessary to stay on track to fully fund the comprehensive plan, which requires $4 billion in additional funding. The plan also extends the deadline for full funding to 2021.
“I’m asking for an extension because the Legislature dragged its feet,” Dorn said. “Legislators passed a bill in 2009 that set a 2018 deadline. But they haven’t done nearly enough since then to meet that deadline. And now, at the end of 2015, it’s not possible to get levies and compensation in order by that deadline.”
Dorn stressed that education spans from early learning to higher education. “My budget request addresses what all our students need for a 21st-century learning experience,” Dorn said. “The Legislature has made some progress, but most of it has been nibbling at the edges. My request gets to the core.
“It is time for the Governor and Legislature to step up and do what is right for the students of the state of Washington. The deadline is right around the corner.”
Additional priorities
- Improve graduation testing requirements. Dorn proposes a $14.7 million reduction in the amount spent on the tests required for graduation. His request will allow students to spend time acquiring the skills they need for success after high school rather than retesting.
- Resolve teacher shortage. Our state does not have enough teachers and the problem is getting worse. Dorn’s request, to be released later, will propose a system for hiring and retaining high-quality teachers in all districts.
For more information
Contact
Nathan Olson
OSPI Communications Manager
360-725-6015
About OSPI
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K–12 education in Washington state. Led by State Superintendent Randy Dorn, OSPI works with the state's 295 school districts and nine educational service districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.
OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at 360-725-6162 or P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.