Education (School Funding)

SB 6326 requires Washington school districts to maintain minimum fund balances based on size: large districts (2,000+ students) must keep at least 6% of prior year state funding, while smaller districts must keep 8%. Districts cannot use these funds for salaries or benefits but may access them for unexpected enrollment changes, short-term cash flow, emergencies, or preapproved one-time costs. Starting in 2028-29, districts must submit monthly financial reports to the state superintendent, including expenditures, revenue, and cash balances, with late submissions risking withheld state payments. Failure to restore required fund balances triggers state intervention to redirect funding over 12 months. The bill directly affects all public school districts in Washington State.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change the voter approval threshold for school district bonds from a simple majority to 55% of voters. It would require school districts seeking funding for facility construction, modernization, or repairs to obtain approval from at least 55% of voters participating in the election, rather than a majority. The amendment directly affects school districts across Washington that need to issue bonds for capital projects. If approved by voters, this change would become part of the state constitution, altering how local school funding is authorized.

SB 5593 adjusts how Washington school districts calculate their maximum allowable enrichment levies (local property taxes for extra programs beyond state funding). It sets new limits based on student enrollment: $2,500 per student (adjusted for inflation) for districts with fewer than 40,000 students, and $3,000 per student for larger districts. The bill also modifies the calculation to account for local effort assistance, compliance adjustments, and cooperative agreements between districts. School districts must now get approval for their levy expenditure plans before voting on new levies.