K-12 State Funding Outlook for 2026

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The Washington state legislative session kicked off on Monday. It’s a short session this year—only 60 days, compared with the 105-day long sessions that happen in odd-numbered years. Short sessions are usually focused on small-scale adjustments rather than big splashy changes. For this reason, major state-level K-12 funding changes are unlikely this year.

That said, there are many possible minor changes that could come out of this session. Every little bit is helpful, and even small backslides in funding mean that some student, somewhere, is losing critical support.

Here’s what I’ve got my eye on this session:

Governor Ferguson's proposed budget, including K-12 cuts

Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental budget, released in December, addresses a budget shortfall exclusively with cuts—that is, he isn’t proposing any new revenue. The proposed cuts related to K-12 education are on page 23, and they include:

  • Removal of 1,816 slots for the Transition to Kindergarten program starting in the 2026 – 27 school year, reducing total slots from 7,266 to 5,450 slots. The program had grown from 510 slots in 2020.

  • Reduction of Running Start enrollment cap from 1.4 full-time equivalent to 1.2 full-time equivalent representing approximately 10 fewer college credits per student in a school year. ($14 million)

  • Reduction in annual school bus replacement payments to districts by standardizing the assumed operating life of buses at 15 years. ($21.1 million)

Ferguson’s proposed “millionaire tax” on incomes over $1M

Governor Ferguson has proposed a “millionaire tax” on incomes over $1M, with a share of this going to K-12 education. If passed, this would start generating revenue in 2029—better than never, but not immediately helpful.

Ferguson has floated K-12 education on the short list of possible recipients of the revenue from this tax, but this is not a guarantee, and the mechanism for safeguarding the revenue is unclear. Specifically, it’s not clear whether revenues intended for K-12 education would go into the state’s general fund, or into a dedicated fund. This matters because the general fund resources can be more easily redirected to other projects after the fact.

What are education-focused community groups pressuring legislators to deliver?

The Washington State PTA (WSPTA) has a set of 5 top advocacy priorities. The WSPTA advocacy platform leads with “Closing the funding gaps,” which is sensible, though inspecific. Other WSTPA advocacy priorities include addressing the student mental health crisis, addressing special education needs, preventing gun violence & suicide, and expanding school construction options.

The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) comprises all elected school board members in Washington state. The WSSDA legislative agenda as a heavy focus on funding—excellent!—but I am confused that they are asking for absolute peanuts. The first bullet in their one-pager reads, “Keep K-12 funding at current levels.” I understand that protection against further losses is important, especially in an environment of federal cuts and high inflation. But our schools are struggling even at our current funding levels, and I’d wish to see more…imagination? leadership? from WSSDA.

The Seattle Public School board adopted a legislative agenda back in November that echoes the priorites of WSSDA’s.

Chris Reykdal’s proposed K-12 funding model, coming next year

My final funding-related spark of hope isn’t actually related to the 2026 legislative session. I’ve got my eye on Chris Reykdal (Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction). In a press conference last week, he took aim at Washington state’s regressive tax policies, and connected these directly to the financial struggles that Washington schools are facing.

Reykdal’s office, OSPI, estimates that Washington state under-funds K-12 education by $4 billion annually, compared to the national average. Relative to the amount of wealth in our state, we throw crumbs at K-12 education.

Reykdal announced in his press conference that he is working with the legislature to create a new model for funding K-12 education in Washington. Though his proposal is due in 2 years, he plans to deliver his new proposal next year. Critically, he was unequivocal that part of his plan will include new revenue. More of this, please!