Enrollment + Staffing Formulas + Salaries + Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs = Key factors for general apportionment.

PROTOTYPICAL FUNDING MODEL

Washington State school districts are funded through four primary sources: the State, the Federal Government, local taxpayers, and other local fees.

The state's funding formula for K-12 education is called the Prototypical School Funding Model*. The Washington State Basic Education Act of 1977 originated the funding model and outlines the definition of Basic Education in public schools. This model determines the base amount of funding each district receives per student based on a fixed theoretical school size enrollment. The model establishes minimum staff-to-student ratios for various positions such as principals, teachers, custodians, nurses, and more. The funding received by school districts based on this model is called General Apportionment.
*RCW28A.150.260

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ESD?

There are still several areas that the state does not fully fund regarding basic education. Examples in the Enumclaw School District include instructional and support staff, health room professionals, paraeducators, custodians, transportation mechanics and security staff. School districts have the responsibility of finding ways to make up the funding difference by passing levies.

Did you notice?
Construction costs and major capital projects are not part of the state funding formula. Large projects regarding facilities are funded through voter-approved bonds or capital levies.

WHAT IS MCCLEARY?

In 2007, the Washington Supreme Court ruled in the McCleary v. Washington case that the state was not meeting its constitutional duty to "make ample provision for the education of all children." The court found that the state's education funding system relied too heavily on local property taxes, leading to significant disparities in funding between wealthier and poorer school districts.

The court ordered the state to take action and develop a plan to "fully fund basic education" by 2018. Over the years, the court issued several follow-up rulings, asserting that the state had not adequately addressed the funding issue.

While the McCleary ruling and subsequent legislative actions have made strides in addressing education funding, it is not sufficient in lightening the local tax burden covered by levies for student learning, and bonds for capital projects.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & OPERATIONS LEVIES FILL THE GAP

Learn more about Washington State school funding at https://www.waschoolfunding.org/