2026 Legislative Priorities
Bellevue School District Legislative Priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session
The Bellevue School District acknowledges the efforts of the Legislature to provide adequate funding for public education and would like to thank legislators, especially our delegation, for their unwavering commitment to students. Although the additional funds have been incredibly helpful, funding for Special Education; Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOCs); and Student Transportation continues to be significantly underfunded.
In the BSD, our mission is to serve each and every student academically, socially, and emotionally, through a rigorous and relevant education that is innovative and individualized. As a learning community that values one another’s humanity, we provide courageous support for an equitable and exceptional education for all students. In pursuit of this mission, we encourage the 2026 Legislature to fulfill their obligation to fully fund the following Basic Education programs:
Student Transportation
The Bellevue School District (BSD) urges the 2026 Legislature to restore transportation “safety net” funding to provide transportation revenue for students who qualify for McKinney Vento or special education transportation in the supplemental budget. Moreover, the Student Transportation Allocation Reporting System (STARS) has consistently underfunded districts' pupil transportation costs. This underfunding is particularly detrimental to students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and students receiving special education services. The BSD urges the 2026 Legislature to comprehensively fix the pupil transportation formula to make it more transparent, predictable, and adequately funded.
Special Education
We urge the 2026 Legislature to fully fund special education services immediately. Despite the additional funding provided in the 2025–27 Operating Budget, the BSD still faces a significant funding deficit of over $29 million. This shortfall forces districts to use local levy dollars to
compensate for the general fund costs needed to meet the needs of students with disabilities, which is unsustainable. The current funding model does not adequately consider the needs of students or the
rising costs of special education services. It is imperative that Legislature address these issues to ensure that all students with disabilities receive the support they need.
Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOCs)
Funding for MSOCs has not kept pace with inflation, leaving districts struggling to cover essential costs such as fuel, utilities, insurance, and food for student lunches. The MSOC allocation per student has only increased by an average of 4% per year (or roughly $294 per FTE student over the five years) over the past five years, which is insufficient to meet the rising costs. The BSD calls on the 2026 Legislature to increase MSOC funding to ensure that schools can provide the necessary materials and supplies for a high-quality education.
Additional Legislative Priorities
Equitable School Funding System
The BSD calls on the 2026 Legislature to protect K-12 from any funding cuts due to state revenue shortfalls. In addition, we urge the 2026 Legislature to use the findings of the K-12 Equity Funding Work Group as a foundation for a comprehensive review of the current funding structure. Ensuring ample and equitable funding for all school districts is essential to address financial struggles and growing inequities between districts. The proposed workgroup recommendations include changes to the Prototypical School Funding Model, salary allocations, regionalization and experience factors, and equitable reforms addressing local school district levies and Local Effort Assistance.
Mitigate the Impact of State-wide Enrollment Declines
As an increasing number of districts across Washington State face enrollment declines, the current state funding model that is tied directly to annual student count is amplifying financial instability and forcing districts to make significant staffing and program reductions to balance budgets. These abrupt funding losses can disrupt educational continuity, reduce student support services, and undermine long-term strategic planning. To create greater fiscal stability and protect learning environments, the state should explore strategies to mitigate the impact of enrollment declines, such as basing allocations on a three-year rolling average of student enrollment rather than a single-year count. This approach would help “smooth” year-to-year fluctuations, allowing districts to plan more effectively, sustain essential programs, and adapt responsibly to demographic shifts without immediate and severe budgetary consequences.
Early Childhood Education (Preschool)
Enhanced access to publicly funded early childhood education is crucial for improving school readiness and reducing disparities in academic and social-emotional outcomes. The BSD advocates for increased funding and access to early learning programs, particularly for low-income families. This investment will not only benefit children but also support parents by providing affordable childcare options, enabling them to pursue employment and educational opportunities.
Student Well-being and Mental Health
During the pandemic, the BSD implemented an innovative framework for school-based mental health services, but the one-time federal ESSER funds that supported this initiative are no longer available, and the program was reduced by 68% (13 FTE). The BSD calls on the 2026 Legislature to enhance investment in mental health support, social-emotional learning, and substance abuse prevention. Continued funding is essential to address the ongoing mental health needs of students, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Affordable and Workforce Housing
Affordable housing is vital for building inclusive and sustainable communities. The BSD supports legislation that expands affordable housing and equips school districts to partner with other entities to provide affordable workforce housing. Access to affordable housing helps attract and retain high-quality staff and contributes to the well-being of individuals and families.
Pause or Limit Legislative Policies and Requirements
Since the 2018 session, the Legislature has added numerous new requirements for school districts without providing additional funding or staff to support implementation. The BSD urges the 2026 Legislature to pause or limit new legislative policies and requirements to allow school districts to focus on helping students succeed academically.