House and Senate leaders and budget negotiators gathered this morning to announce a bi-partisan budget that makes $4.6 billion in reductions, including some painful cuts to K-12 education.
While not ideal, early agreement had been reached on suspending citizen initiatives on class size (I-728) and COLAs (I-732), which would save the state at least $1.2 billion right off the bat. K-4 class size enhancements were also on the chopping block, which cut about $170 million.
Districts had also expected a June apportionment shift, but the hit is less than originally projected—$128 million shifted from June 30 to July 1.
The compromise budget also includes $33.5 million for K-3 class size reduction in high poverty schools.
Local effort assistance (LEA) was protected in both the House and Senate budget proposals, and remains preserved in the compromise plan.
One of the largest cuts to K-12 is a 1.9 percent salary reduction for certificated and classified staff and 3 percent for administrative staff. An exemption is included for those who make less than $30,000. The cut represents $179 million that will be pushed down to local districts to deal with.
Read the full update.
Updates on the Legislature and state government from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
