When my son was struggling in 1st grade, a friend of mine who is also an elementary school teacher told me, “Advocate for your child because no one else will”. That statement was impactful because it helped me better embrace the ownership I have in my child’s education. Understanding our public education system and state funding is a lot of work. It’s complex and ever changing, just like the needs of our students. I realized that if I want something for my child, I need to work for it. I can’t assume it will be there tomorrow because it was there yesterday. And even when I work for it, I won’t always get it. I want my child to have access to music programs that elevate his learning, development, social skills and joy. So I am learning how to advocate for those specific programs that I believe should be a required foundation to learning through public schools.
Earlier this year, I watched a recording of Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s 3rd annual State of Education update. In this address, he calls out key issues driving the budget deficits here in the Edmonds School District (ESD), and across the state, saying, “While our state has made significant gains in recent years in school funding, the funding provided by the state is not keeping up with inflation. As the impact of inflation reduces school districts’ buying power, they are also balancing the impending expiration of emergency relief funds and the fiscal impact of declining student enrollments at the height of the pandemic. These factors have placed many districts in a challenging financial situation.” You can find details and data around minute 24, but please watch the whole address here: Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal Press Conference. This will help explain why ESD has to address a $10.6 million deficit for ‘24-’25 after already making cuts this past year.
The 2024 Legislative session was short this year, running from January 8th through March 7th. Now that the session is over, districts have to do the hard work of balancing the budgets they’re given. This is a great time to write to your state representatives and tell them what is critical for your student’s success. You can start off by acknowledging and thanking them for the work completed during this year’s session, which can be found here. Then address what is still missing. Be specific and personal about how the budget shortfalls have impacted you and your student. Make sure your requests are clear and specific as well.
Below are additional ways you can learn about state funding and have your voice heard:
- Spend time on the Washington Legislature website to understand how public education funding works. This booklet, A Citizen’s Guide to Washington State K-12 Finance – 2022, is a great overview for parents, like me, trying to better understand the process, challenges and opportunities.
- Connect with your fellow parents and communities to drive the change you want to see. Find your school boosters, music boosters, PTAs, PSOs, and parents of your child’s classmates. Connect with your child’s teachers to understand what they need.
- Follow communities working to make music in public education better for our students: Save the Music – MTHS
- Find great information on how to advocate: Take Action – EWHS
- Contact your State Representatives:
- The Edmonds School District encompasses three legislative districts (21st, 32nd and 1st). There are NINE legislatures, therefore NINE voices that speak for US in Olympia.
- Attend and speak at a Legislative Town Hall
32nd district is hosting on April 10th at 7pm at Mountlake Terrace City Hall
- The Edmonds School District encompasses three legislative districts (21st, 32nd and 1st). There are NINE legislatures, therefore NINE voices that speak for US in Olympia.
- Attend and speak at a School Board Meeting
Meetings are open to the public and are scheduled the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm. Arrive early and sign in if you would like to speak.
How can you advocate?
- RESPECTFULLY, FIRST AND FOREMOST
- Please do not attack the administration, school board members, or legislatures! It does not help you be heard.
- Prepare your statements well, and include the following:
- A short statement of how these cuts affect your student
- Any comments you have about the broader effects of these cuts
- Exactly what you are asking for
- If appropriate, potential alternate solutions to the problem
Legislature Emails
Use the District Finder to see which district you are in: https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/
State Legislators Representing the Edmonds School District
The Edmonds School District (ESD) falls in three Legislative Districts (LDs) –1st, 21st, and 32nd
State Senators
Marko Liias, 21st – [email protected]
Jesse Salomon, 32nd – [email protected]
Derek Stanford, 1st – [email protected]
Senate Legislative Assistants
Jeremy Knapp, 21st – [email protected] (for Liias)
Pavi Chance, 21st – [email protected] (for Liias)
John Elder, 32nd – [email protected] (for Salomon)
Stephen Cardamenis, 1st – [email protected] (for Stanford)
State Representatives
Strom Peterson 21st – [email protected]
Lillian Ortiz-Self 21st – [email protected]
Cindy Ryu, 32nd – [email protected]
Lauren Davis, 32nd – [email protected]
Shelley Kloba, 1st – [email protected]
Davina Duerr, 1st – [email protected]
State Representative Legislative Assistants
Amber Ceballos 32nd – [email protected] (for Davis)
Ann Dasch, 1st – [email protected] (for Duerr)
Brian Haifley, 1st – [email protected] (for Kloba)
Samantha Cruz-Mendoza 21st, [email protected] (for Ortiz-Self)
Nick Spurlock, 21st – [email protected] (for Peterson)
Shoubee Liaw, 32nd – [email protected] (for Ryu)
–Carolyn Harvey, MTHS Music Boosters President
