Governor’s Budget Makes Key Investments in Students with Disabilities, Mental Health Supports
This morning, Governor Inslee released his proposed 2019–21 budget. Below is Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s statement.
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in Chris Reykdal’s Medium publication, which was sunset in May 2021. Statements from Superintendent Reykdal will continue to appear in the main OSPI feed.
Today, Governor Inslee unveiled his budget proposal and I am pleased to see funding for so many critical services included.
Budgets are a reflection of values, and with this budget, the Governor showed us what he values: Mental health supports, crucial services for students with disabilities, inclusive teaching practices, safe school buildings, and the authority for local districts to raise revenue to enhance the education provided in their communities, among other items.
One of the key investments the Governor made in his budget is $94 million to provide an incentive for school districts to promote inclusionary practices so students with disabilities can learn in an environment best suited for their needs. The proposal will allocate funding using the tiered multiplier approach proposed by the Special Education Safety Net Workgroup. This approach ensures funding is distributed more effectively so school districts receive the funding they actually need instead of a flat amount, which can be too little, just enough, or too much.
By phasing in full funding of special education, students will receive the services they need in order to have an equitable opportunity for success in school. I’m proud to stand with the Governor in support of funding for these essential services.
The Governor’s budget also provides nearly $155 million to fund crucial support staff such as middle school counselors, nurses, and social workers. These professionals provide some of the necessary day-to-day services to complement the whole child, like mental and physical health supports.
In addition, he took an important step in funding our proposed School Preservation Program, a new program that will provide vital assistance to ensure aging buildings are safe and promote student learning. Students and educators should never show up to school with concerns about their health and safety.
The Governor’s budget also provides funding to grow our current dual language programs, as well as to expand the programs to more schools. Dual language programs provide rich learning experiences for both native English speakers and English learners. These programs also provide an avenue to preserve and restore Native American languages so students can learn the language of their ancestors for generations to come.
Another key piece of the Governor’s budget is growing career and technical education (CTE) and career-connected learning programs. This includes increasing access to pre-apprenticeship programs so students can learn a trade before graduating. It also includes the expansion of CTE course equivalencies, which allow students to earn credits toward their high school diploma while taking courses that align with their postsecondary plans.
Finally, the Governor’s budget includes funding for institutional education, a program of basic education that serves students under the age of 18 who are incarcerated. For years, the funding model for institutional education programs has been insufficient, leaving students without the full funding the law requires.
The Governor takes an important step toward paying for these investments by transforming our regressive tax code.
I look forward to a continued partnership with the Governor as we work with legislators to ensure these priorities are funded in the final 2019–21 Operating and Capital Budgets.
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