Join us at the Regional Town Hall on 1/7/26!

Advocating for the Full Funding of Washington State's Public Schools

Regional Town Hall on Education Funding

Student Voices Leading the Way Forward

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the January 7, 2026 Regional Town Hall on Education Funding — students, families, educators, community members, and legislators. Your presence, engagement, and support helped make this student-led event meaningful and impactful.

We are grateful to all who shared their time, voices, and perspectives as we came together to advocate for fully funded, equitable, and sustainable public education in Washington!

Take the next step:

Sign the letter to State Legislators calling for fully funded K–12 education
Join the K–12 Funding Coalition — especially students
Watch your mailbox for February ballots and help your school community with levy and bond campaigns. These community votes are critical.
Join us in Olympia for Days at the Capitol: Jan. 19 — WA State PTA Focus Day, Jan. 26 (updated) Washington Education Assoc., Jan. 29 — Washington State School Directors’ Assoc.

OSPI K-12 Equity Funding Workgroups

Members of the OSPI K–12 Funding Equity Work Group and the University of Washington Superintendents Work Group discuss key equity priorities guiding work to come in 2026.

You’ll hear from Dr. Kelly Aramaki (Bellevue School District), Marissa Rathbone (Washington Association of School Administrators), and Dr. David Knight (University of WA) as they share key principals and findings intended to inform the 2026 Legislature’s consideration of improvements to Washington’s education funding system.

Town Hall Recap

Town Hall: Presentation Slides

This slide deck captures key moments and messages from the January 7, 2026 - Regional Town Hall on Education Funding, a student-led event bringing together families, educators, community members, and legislators from across the region.

The presentation includes background information and data of the statewide funding gaps across Special Education, MSOC (materials, supplies & operating costs), and Transportation. The overview of Washington’s K–12 funding challenges was shared, and both short-term needs and long-term solutions were highlighted. It also features context shared by Chris Reykdal and school finance expert Dan Steele, along with information presented during the student-moderated legislative discussion.

The slides are shared here to support continued learning, advocacy, and community engagement around fully funded, equitable, and sustainable public education in Washington.

🔗 View the Town Hall Slide Deck

Advocating for the Full Funding of Washington State's Public Schools