Pullman Public Schools

Curious About School Funding?

A New Website Provides Information on Statewide Core Issues Regarding Washington State School Funding

Like many districts across Washington, Pullman School District is facing financial challenges as the cost of meeting student needs continues to rise while state funding falls short. To help explain these pressures and advocate for increased state support, the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) has launched Washington School Funding.

Pullman School District’s Finance Director, Diane Hodge, highlights the strain of rising insurance and utilities costs, with the district seeing a $440,000 increase in insurance and $450,000 more in utilities over the past two years. The district pays $2.2–$2.4 million in these costs, while the state only funds $1 million.

In addition to these financial burdens, inflation, unfunded mandates, and inadequate staffing models further impact the district's ability to support educational programs and services. WASA's website provides solutions to help school budgets in both the short and long term.

Our district is actively advocating for better funding from the state and encourages community members to engage with legislators to support this cause. Together, we can work toward a sustainable future for our schools and students.

We will continue to keep our community informed.

A graphic comparing Washington state's operating budget allocation for K-12 education and other state programs in 2019 and 2024.

A graphic depicting the core issues of Washington's school funding dilemma, including growing student behavioral health needs, insufficient special education funding, and higher operating costs.