Holding ground will be Washington Board of Educations goal in 2026 session

The Washington State Board of Education will prioritize maintaining existing programs and restoring funding cuts during the 2026 legislative session. The board’s legislative platform will communicate its top priorities to lawmakers, particularly in light of a projected $12 billion budget shortfall over the next four years. Superintendent Chris Reykdal plans to request $110 million annually to address inflation impacts on schools, a necessary step given last year's partial approval of his $350. 7 million request for inflation-related costs. While the 2025-27 budget preserved K-12 education funding, it reduced college financial aid and support for various grant programs.

The board aims to focus on protecting essential elements of public education, including civil rights protections and student support systems, rather than pursuing new initiatives. The platform will be finalized in October, emphasizing the restoration of funding for alternative learning models. Board member Yazmin Carretero highlighted the thoughtful approach to investing in effective solutions for urgent needs. Minimal budget requests will also include IT services and an administrator for public records requests.