More than 60 educational leaders from across northeast Washington gathered at the Talbott Event Center on Nov. 13 for the annual NEWASA Legislative Meeting. The event, hosted by the Northeast Washington Association of School Administrators (NEWASA), brought together education leaders and state legislators to discuss funding priorities, facility needs, and the unique challenges of serving rural and remote communities.
Lawmakers in attendance included Rep. Hunter Abell, Sen. Leonard Christian, Rep. Natasha Hill, Rep. Timm Ormsby, Sen. Marcus Riccelli, Rep. Mike Volz, Rep. Joe Schmick, Rep. Suzanne Schmidt, and Sen. Mark Schoesler.
Topics of discussion included special education funding, Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOCs), small-school modernization, and the essential role of Educational Service Districts (ESDs) like NEWESD 101. ESDs provide shared services in special education, early learning, behavioral health, business operations, and school safety, helping ensure equity and access for districts that may not have the capacity to provide them independently.
Educational Service Districts play a vital role in supporting every student, school, and community across Washington. To learn more about how ESDs strengthen public education statewide, visit or www.waesd.org.