WEA supports state House budget

Washington Education Association President Kim Mead testified Monday in support of the Democratic House state budget plan.

She said the House budget released Monday makes a significant investment toward keeping the McCleary promise to our children, including competitive, professional base pay for teachers and education support staff.

Under the state Supreme Court’s 2012 McCleary order, the state must fully fund K-12 basic education by Sept. 1, 2018.

“Unlike the Senate GOP budget, the House budget puts families first by protecting social and health services and other important programs,” Mead said. “The House budget plan also recognizes the crucial need for progressive new revenue sources.”

Mead encouraged House members to stand strong against the Senate Republican budget.

“As you begin budget negotiations with Senate Republicans, our students and educators are counting on you to stay true to your Democratic values,” she said. “Continue fighting for policies and funding that put our families first. Stay strong. Don’t back down.”

Here are Mead's prepared remarks for the House Appopriations Committee.

Chair Ormsby and committee members, my name is Kim Mead, I’m a middle school teacher serving as the president of the 92,000-member Washington Education Association.

I am testifying in support of Proposed Substitute House Bill 1067 because it focuses on the needs of Washington’s children and recognizes that a quality public education is a civil right for every student.

Unlike the Senate GOP budget, your budget puts families first by protecting social and health services and other important programs, including funding the collective bargaining contracts for state employees.

The House plan also recognizes the crucial need for progressive new revenue sources.

Your budget makes a significant investment toward keeping the McCleary Promise to our children, including competitive, professional base pay for teachers and education support staff. It also adds school staff to meet the social and emotional needs of students, such as counselors and family engagement coordinators.

Your budget maintains local control and flexibility for school districts, allowing them to invest local levy funding to meet the unique needs of their students, and it protects collective bargaining rights for educators, maintaining their voice in local education decisions.

Thank you for keeping higher education tuition from increasing. And unlike the Senate Republican budget, you keep intact voter-approved initiatives for smaller class sizes and educator COLAs.

We have some concerns. 1067 delays smaller class sizes for students in grades 4 through 12 for an additional two years. And 1067 does not address the increased cost of educator health benefits.

2018 is your deadline for amply funding basic education, including base salaries, and we urge you to stay true to that promise.

As you begin budget negotiations with Senate Republicans, our students and educators are counting on you to stay true to your Democratic values. Continue fighting for policies and funding that put our families first. Stay strong. Don’t back down.

Thank you.