Ferndale Community,

I want to take a moment to share a brief update following the recent legislative session and what we know so far about the 2026–2027 Supplemental Operating Budget and its potential impact on our schools.

At this point, we are still waiting for confirmation of final numbers and details. Because of that, I am going to stay at a high level and share what we are seeing overall.

As your superintendent, I follow legislative sessions closely, paying attention to what it may mean for our district and how it could impact our students. I believe in being transparent with our community, and my goal is to share what we know at this point in a clear and thoughtful way.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has described the Legislature’s final budget as maintaining “maintenance level” funding for K–12 education. I find that to be an interesting term, particularly given that the state was already falling short of its constitutional duty to amply fund our schools. My hope had been to at least maintain the current level of funding from this year. Even that, however, would not have kept pace with rising costs. Inflation does not only affect our homes; but it also raises the cost of doing business in our schools. For example, rising fuel costs directly impact our transportation system, and in a district like Ferndale, which covers one of the largest geographic areas in our county, we feel those increases in a very real way. We are also hearing that utility rates may increase by as much as 30 percent, and insurance costs continue to rise. To simply maintain our current model, we had anticipated beginning the year approximately $3 million short.

This creates a reality where districts across Washington are being asked to continue doing more with less in the 2026–2027 school year.

While we are closely monitoring increases in our operational costs, including Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOCs) and labor costs, it is also important to be clear that the Legislature did not maintain current funding levels. They reduced overall K–12 investments by approximately $90 million.

That reduction will impact students across our state, particularly those who rely on programs that provide the greatest access to opportunity. Programs like Running Start allow high school students to earn college credit, often at little to no cost to families. Transition to Kindergarten creates access for families who do not qualify for state or federal programs, but also cannot afford private early learning options, helping ensure more children enter school ready to learn. While Local Effort Assistance (LEA) does not directly affect Ferndale, it helps districts like ours, with less access to local levy dollars, and provides more equitable opportunities for students.

These changes are not abstract. They have real implications for Ferndale. We anticipate impacts on the number of students that we can serve through Transition to Kindergarten, as well as impacts to our students who are participating in Running Start.

At the same time, there are a few positive elements. The Legislature removed a proposed sales tax on school districts, which provides some relief, and there are investments in school facilities and safety through the Capital Budget. Those are important decisions, and I look forward to learning more about if they will directly support our schools in Ferndale.

You may also be hearing about new education funding tied to the Millionaires’ Tax. At this point, the only identified investment I can find for K–12 is the expansion of free breakfast and lunch programs to all students across the state. I do not think anyone would argue that access to meals is an essential support for students and families.

This is an area I am watching closely. As someone who depended on school meals as a child, I know firsthand how critical this support can be for some students. At the same time, Ferndale is fortunate to already provide free meals districtwide thanks to a federal grant, based on the level of need in our community. Because of that, if this becomes the primary investment from this funding source, we may not see a direct benefit locally.

In a time when resources are limited, I also find myself reflecting on how we ensure funding is aligned to the areas of greatest need across our system. These are complex decisions, and I share this perspective in the spirit of transparency as we continue to learn more. I am hopeful that if the Millionaire’s Tax comes to pass, the funding will be reprioritized to meet the state’s first obligation to amply fund education.

As we prepare final numbers, I also want to be transparent and share that this may require us to reduce our workforce. Approximately 80 percent of our budget is tied to people, so when reductions are necessary, they often impact staffing.

On an upcoming Board agenda, we will be asking the Board to approve a resolution that would allow us to make those adjustments if needed. I want to assure you that we are working hard to keep as many resources as possible directed to the classroom and to minimize impacts on students.

Washington’s Constitution is clear. It is the paramount duty of the state to amply fund the education of all children. That responsibility exists today.

I am sharing this because I believe it is important for our community to stay informed. As we receive more detailed information and confirm the final budget numbers for 2026–2027, I will continue to keep you updated. We will also continue to advocate for the resources our students need and deserve.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools, our staff, and our students.

Kristi