A Message from Superintendent Dr. James Everett
I wanted to provide a brief budget update. The state legislative session has ended, concluding the budget process at the state level. Once signed by Governor Ferguson, the budget will go to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), which will determine how much funding each district receives based on state guidelines.
There were a few developments in this year’s state budget. In special education, the state removed the cap on state funding which is a step toward fully funding services for students with disabilities. While there was some special education funding, it is not adequate for what our students need here in Meridian and across the state.
For materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOCs), the state acknowledged the impacts of inflation and rising costs. While progress was made, the funding still falls short of what’s needed to fully cover the cost of education.
The release of the state budget gives us a better sense of what funding will look like next year. While some questions remain, we are working to determine how this information may shape our staffing and programming for next school year.
We know this time of year can bring stress and uncertainty, and we appreciate your patience as we work through the details. We plan to provide another update in mid-May, when we expect to have more information. Thank you for your continued partnership.