Inslee details education budget proposal

MOSES LAKE - Gov. Jay Inslee revealed some details of his education proposal this week in a teleconference at four schools including Moses Lake. But Inslee declined to specify how he would pay for the $2.3 billion program, saying that would be explained at a news conference today.

He said his proposal would not be based on deficit spending.

How much, if any, of Inslee's proposal makes it into law will depend on the Washington Legislature, which will pass a two-year budget during the 2015 legislative session. Session begins Jan. 12.

More than half the money, $1.3 billion, would be spent to increase basic school support, Inslee said. An estimated $595.6 million would be spent on teacher pay, including $210 million to fund the state's share of teacher pensions.

About $156.3 million would be spent on early childhood education, Inslee said, and about $125.5 million on higher education. About $87.4 million would go to increasing high school graduation rates.

Teacher training would get $30.4 million, and $30.4 million would be put into expanding math and science programs at universities and community colleges. More money for GED classes and job training would be part of that also.

There was a question and answer session following Inslee's announcement.

Inslee said he wouldn't support any effort to delay implementation of Initiative 1351, which mandated smaller classes in Washington public schools. His budget proposal included money to reduce class sizes in kindergarten through third-grade. In the question and answer session Inslee was asked what kind of money would be available to help schools build the buildings needed to reach that goal. He said school construction is a capital budget item, separate from the education budget, and construction would be addressed there. Inslee said he couldn't guarantee that anything in the capital budget would solve the problems immediately, and that school districts would have to look to leaders to get creative. Reducing class sizes will be expensive, he said.

Asked about the possible impact of the education budget on social programs, Inslee said in his opinion it wouldn't be acceptable to take money from other parts of the budget to pay for the proposed education spending. It will be up to the legislature, he said, which will be faced with some "very hard decisions."

Inslee's plan would add money for reducing kindergarten through third-grade class sizes, implement full day kindergarten statewide in the 2016-17 school year and add money for materials and supplies. At the college level, he proposed freezing undergraduate tuition for Washington residents.

The plan proposes raises for teachers, beginning with the 2015-16 school year. Inslee wants to increase teacher training and mentoring programs, and to expand programs to help special education departments.

The proposal includes money for early childhood intervention, because, Inslee said, he believes early intervention is very effective for children. There is also money for support programs for high school students.