2026 Legislative Session Priorities (Updated January 23, 2026)
2025 Legislative Priorities (Historical)
The Olympia School District is proud of the schools and opportunities we provide for our students. Today’s reality, however, includes declining enrollment, rising costs and the end of federal relief funding. In this environment, the most helpful step the Legislature can take is to protect core funding and give school districts greater flexibility to adapt, stay stable and keep students at the center of every decision.
TOP PRIORITY: IMPROVE FLEXIBILITY
Schools are changing. Students’ needs are changing. Our funding and policy structures need to change with them. Flexibility allows districts to respond responsibly, protect services and make thoughtful local decisions.
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Smarter Class Size Flexibility: Allow averaging of K-5 class sizes instead of rigid grade-by-grade limits creates more balanced classrooms, helps district align staffing with real enrollment and supports smoother experiences for students and families.
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Stability During Enrollment Declines: Use a rolling three-year enrollment average for districts with declining enrollment. Recognizes that many school costs are fixed, reduces sudden budget swings and protects staff, program and student supports.
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Running Start That reflects Reality: Revisit the funding split so districts retain more funding while continuing to serve Running Start students. Provides more flexibility to award college credit and acknowledges districts still deliver counseling, nursing, technology, extracurricular and graduation planning.
IN SHORT:
Flexibility is the most cost effective way to help schools stay strong, protect services and meet student needs during uncertain financial times.
MAINTAIN WHAT’S WORKING
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Professional Development Days: Preserve state-funded days for training, planning and collaboration.
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National Board Certified Teacher Bonuses: Continue supporting excellence and retention.
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School Meals (HB 1238): Maintain funding so every student can count on breakfast and lunch.
INVEST WHERE STUDENTS NEED IT MOST
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Special Education: Increase the multiplier to reflect real service costs.
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Substitutes: Update funding that hasn’t changed since 2009-10.
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MSOC: Protect recent investments and address inflation and insurance pressures.
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Early Learning: Simplify systems and expand access to high-quality programs.
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Staffing Model: Update outdated ratios and implement Staffing Enrichment Workgroup recommendations.
OUR ASK
Olympia School District invites the Legislature to partner with us to lead with flexibility, protect essential funding and make smart investments that allow every student to thrive -- from early learning through graduation.
2026 Legislative Session Bills/Resolutions to watch
Updated February 23, 2026
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House Bill No.
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Senate Bill No.
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Name
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Current Status
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Sponsor
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What it Does
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Potential New Revenue (Unknown New Expenditures)
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HB2636
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--
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Reviews of the performance, operations, and funding of the state’s public education system.
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Senate EL & K12 EXEC 2/25
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Rude, Pollet, Marshall, Santos
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Joint committee to review unfunded mandates and determine their effectiveness.
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No fiscal impact |
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HB1122
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SB5346
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Restricting mobile device usage by public school students.
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House Ed
EXEC
2/23
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Liias, Harris, Shewmake, Dozier, Bateman, Christian, Frame, Hasegawa, King, Krishnadasan, Lovick, Nobles, Salomon
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Help public schools implement best practices by providing research on student use of mobile devices and recommended best practice strategies for teaching students how to use their mobile devices responsibly.
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No fiscal impact
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--
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SB5956
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Artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in public schools.
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House Ed 2/24
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Nobles, Wellman
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The bill requires human review prior to action for discipline. Would not allow the use of AI for tracking people in video surveillance.
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No new revenue, costs are indeterminate
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--
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SB6239
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Requiring arbitration for tort claims against the state of Washington and its subdivisions.
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House Cvl Rght EXEC 2/25
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Dhingra, Pedersen, Conway, Liias, Robinson, Wilson, C.
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Makes certain tort claims against the state or any of its subdivisions subject to administrative adjudication for any dollar amount prior to being scheduled for trial based on the age of the claim.
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Indeterminate
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