Ongoing Town Halls With Senators and Representatives
This past Saturday, March 15, 2025, LWPTSA advocates attended the 45th Legislative District town hall, where Senator Manka Dhingra, Representative Larry Springer and Representative Roger Goodman shared crucial updates on education funding. The discussion underscored significant legislative strides that will directly impact our schools, students and families.
(Photos courtesy of Zahra Eslami)
Key Legislative Wins for Education
📌 Special Education Funding – Senate Bill 5263
On March 12, 2025, the Washington State Senate unanimously passed SB 5263 (48-0), a landmark bipartisan bill that ensures special education is fully recognized as a core component of basic education.
✅ Eliminating the Enrollment Cap: No more arbitrary 16% funding limit; districts will receive funding based on actual special education enrollment.
✅ Increasing the Funding Multiplier: More resources allocated to special education students, ensuring they receive the support they need.
✅ Enhancing the Safety Net: A more efficient process for districts to secure additional special education funds through OSPI.
💰 Projected Funding Impact:
- $915 million in the upcoming two-year budget
- $1.1 billion estimated for 2027–2029
SB 5263 now heads to the House for approval—a critical next step in ensuring sustained support for special education programs.
📌 Increased Support for School Operations – Senate Bill 5192
On March 5, 2025, the Senate passed SB 5192 (47-2), a bill aimed at bolstering funding for school operations by increasing allocations for Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs (MSOC).
💰 Funding Allocation:
- $200 million added to the next budget to support essential school operations
- Helps districts manage rising costs without cutting programs or increasing financial strain on families
These legislative advancements underscore Washington’s commitment to fully funding basic education and ensuring that every student, including those in special education, has access to the resources they need to thrive.
Stay Engaged – Join an Upcoming Town Hall!
📍 District 41 – March 22, 10–11:30 am | Bellevue College, U Building
👥 Featuring Sen. Lisa Wellman, Rep. My-Linh Thai and Rep. Janice Zahn
📍 District 48 – March 23, 2:30–3:30 pm | Together Center, Redmond
👥 Featuring Sen. Vandana Slatter, Rep. Amy Walen and Rep. Osman Salahuddin
📍 District 1 – March 24, 6:30–7:30 pm | Telephone Town Hall
📞 Call in: 855-756-7520 | Ext. 120782#
👥 Featuring Sen. Derek Stanford, Rep. Davina Duerr and Rep. Shelley Kloba
Your voice matters! Join the conversation, ask questions, and advocate for fully funded education.
Learn More About the Bills:
More resources about town halls from Washington State PTA
Let’s continue working together to ensure every student in Washington receives the education they deserve! 🎓💪
Questions? Contact LWPTSA Council’s Advocacy Co-VPs Zahra Eslami and Kameh Saman at Advocacy@LWPTSA.net.