Dec. 18, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Information:

Jennifer Fellinger
Director of Communications
360.357.7951 or 800.562.6100
jennifer@awsp.org

Deficit Spells Reductions for School Funding

Principals, Students Among Those To Feel Impact of Governor's Budget Proposal

OLYMPIA — A budget proposal unveiled this morning by Gov. Gregoire makes one thing clear: Washington’s $5.7 billion deficit will significantly impact those who rely on state funding—including principals, teachers and students.

While the governor has shown ongoing commitment to K-12 education, she was unable to solve the state’s deficit without proposing $800 million in cuts to education spending. The largest allocations to be suspended from the K-12 budget include:

• $349.2 million, or 100 percent, of I-732 funds, which provide cost of living adjustments for K-12 educators
• $178 million, or 24 percent, of I-728 funds, which reduce class size in K-12 schools
• $125.4 million in levy-equalization grants, which support tax-poor school districts

“Certainly, these cuts will affect our schools, and with the reduction of levy equalization money, some schools will suffer more than others,” said Gary Kipp, executive director of the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP). “Many districts have had to use I-728 funds to support services they consider ‘basic education.’ We expect that these districts will be left with no choice but to reduce their teaching staff.”

“School employees may be disappointed by the freeze on cost of living adjustments, but for districts, this is good news. Gov. Gregoire understands that, over the last few years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of teachers whose raises have had to come from local funds; this is one of the primary reasons that districts are in such financial crises.”

When the Association recently asked for feedback on how K-12 cuts should be distributed, AWSP members were vocal in their recommendations to keep reductions away from the classroom as much as possible. “Facing a state deficit of nearly $6 billion, principals and assistant principals expressed anxiety about where cuts would be made and how deep those cuts would go,” Kipp explained.

While the budget poses many challenges for K-12 schools, it also preserves funding for K-4 class sizes and all-day kindergarten. That, according to Kipp, will minimize the impact on student learning in the lower grades. “It is clear that Gov. Gregoire attempted to avoid making cuts where our students would feel it most—in the classroom,” said Kipp, after reviewing the governor’s plan.

The proposed budget addresses the state’s current deficit, but it also underscores the urgent need for full funding of basic education—an issue that remains critical for K-12 schools. “The long-term solutions for school funding in our state will have to come from a new funding system, based on today’s expectations for schools and students, with a stable funding source,” said Kipp.  

For full details of Gov. Gregoire’s proposal, visit www.ofm.wa.gov/budget09/highlights/highlights.pdf. 
 
 
About the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)

The Association of Washington School Principals is a professional association serving principals, assistant principals and principals in training. Formed in 1972, the Association now includes more than 3,500 members from public and private elementary, middle and high schools statewide. It is governed by a board of practicing principals composed of members drawn from three grade-specific boards representing the elementary, middle and high school levels. The mission of AWSP is to support principals and assistant principals and the principalship in the education of all students. For more information on the Association, visit the AWSP Web site at www.awsp.org.