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 […]
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” […]
Washington’s Lottery achieves nation’s highest level of responsible gambling certification
OLYMPIA—Washington’s Lottery announced on February 11 that it has achieved the highest level of responsible gambling certification in the country. As acknowledged by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), Washington’s Lottery officially was certified for Responsible Gambling Verification Best Practices at the Sustaining […]
Schools must end DEI policies by Feb 28 or lose federal funding, says US Dept of Education
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Department of Education on February 14 sent an ultimatum to all education agencies and institutions throughout the country, end what it called “insidious” DEI policies within 14 days or “face potential loss of federal funding.” In the letter penned by Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights for the United […]
Educators rally for more funding at Edmonds Crisis Town Hall
EDMONDS—Educators and community members painted the Edmonds-Woodway High School gymnasium red, so to speak, sporting “Red for Ed” attire last Wednesday, October 23, to rally for more funding toward public schools. The Education Funding Crisis Town Hall was officially hosted by the Edmonds Education Association (EEA), though it was a joint effort by educators and […]
Snohomish County School Districts facing massive budget cuts
Multiple Snohomish County school districts face massive budget cuts entering the 2024-25 school year, including Northshore, Edmonds, Mukilteo, and Marysville. These budget cuts follow a trend of Washington schools struggling to balance their budgets amidst drops in enrollment and the nearing end of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds—monies earmarked under the American […]
Voters approve $866 million in school bonds and levies in Special Election
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Snohomish County voters overwhelmingly supported ballot measures to provide funding for school districts across the Snohomish County in the February 13 Special Election. Both the Marysville Transportation Benefit District and the levy for Fire District 22 passed handsomely with 71% and 60% respectively. Voter turnout as of the count on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, […]
State Supreme Court rules school funding is shared responsibility of state and local jurisdictions
OLYMPIA, Wash., September 9, 2023—The Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday, September 7, the state is not required to fully cover school construction costs, dealing a blow to districts unable to raise the local tax dollars they need for new buildings and other facility upgrades. In its unanimous decision, the court said Washington’s constitutional mandate for […]
