Parents, school board members, and educators sue state over bill that modified Parents’ Bill of Rights
OLYMPIA [WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD]—School board directors and parents sued Washington state Thursday to block a Democrat-backed law overhauling rights for public school students and their parents. The policy has become a flashpoint in the national debate over gender inclusivity and diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. The conservative political group, Let’s Go Washington, has a […]
US Dept of Education releases $137 million in frozen funds to Washington State
OLYMPIA—The United States Department of Education announced Friday, July 25, that it will release the entirety of the $137 million in frozen funds to Washington state. “This is a welcome change in direction—school districts, educators, families, and students can take a deep breath knowing vital services won’t be abruptly ended or reduced in the upcoming […]
Washington joins 24-state lawsuit to dispense billions in education funding
SEATTLE—Attorney General Nick Brown announced that his office has joined 24-state lawsuit against the United States Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget for withholding $7 billion in non-competitive formula grants used for funding for various after-school, summer and English learner programs. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction estimates that […]
State Superintendent statement to Trump admin on compliance with DEI policies
Last Thursday, April 3, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights asked states to certify their compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as the Department’s interpretation of the decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (“SFFA v. Harvard”). This is […]
New Interim Superintendent of Marysville School District named
MARYSVILLE—At its regular session board meeting on March 3, 2025, the Marysville School District Board of Directors appointed Dr. Deborah Rumbaugh as interim superintendent, effective immediately, following the resignation of Dr. David Burgess. Dr. Rumbaugh will be administered the oath of office at the next regular session board meeting on March 17, 2025. “I am […]
Falling student performance fuels school funding debate
Holly Koon struggles every day in her 9th-grade biology classes to help students achieve, but sometimes it seems like a losing battle. Chronic absenteeism, growing class sizes and fewer classroom helpers all get in the way of student learning, she said. “All students can absolutely learn, and they can learn to standard,” she said. “I […]
Reykdal to Trump admin threat to pulling federal funding for schools over DEI programs, ‘We are not going backward’
OLYMPIA—Washington State’s top Education Superintendent advises school districts throughout the state to not make any changes to existing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in response to a “Dear Colleague Letter” sent by the United States Department of Education on February 14 warning all education agencies and institutions throughout the country, to end what it called “insidious” […]
OSPI Superintendent steadfast in commitment to protecting undocumented students from ICE
OLYMPIA—Washington State education Superintendent Chris Reykdal releases guidance for school districts on protections for undocumented students. He asks that school districts develop policies for responding to immigration enforcement actions. According to the press release, Reykdal states that school districts have a “constitutional and moral obligation to provide a free, high-quality public education to all students” […]
State Superintendent supports ending the sale of flavored tobacco products in Washington
OLYMPIA—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal announced on Monday his support of state legislation that would end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Washington. Reykdal is the most prominent elected official thus far to announce support for the effort that will be introduced during the 2025 legislative session, which begins in January. […]
Party chairs weigh in on why to vote red or blue this election
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—With November 5 general election less than three weeks away, the Lynnwood Times reached out to both Shasti Conrad, Chair of the Washington State Democrats, and Jim Walsh, Chair of the Washington State Republican Party, to hear why voters should vote for their respective party’s candidates and their thoughts on the four statewide initiatives. […]
