Funding

For many people, it is surprising to learn that Issaquah gets millions less in revenue than other school districts–in fact, we ranked 272nd in per pupil revenue out of 296 districts statewide in 2006-07.

Aside from gifts and grants, school districts get funding from three sources: federal, state, and local taxes. Issaquah gets less funding than many other districts from all three of those sources. The effect of lesser funding in all three areas is profound for Issaquah, yet people generally think of us as a "rich" district.

1. We receive less federal money-most of which is aimed at disadvantaged students-because our population is fairly affluent. Where other King County districts might get millions, in 2006-07 we received only $395,000 in federal Title I funds, earmarked for remedial reading programs.
2. We receive less in state allocation because, when basic education funding was "equalized" in the '70s, some districts were paying higher salaries to teachers-and they were grandfathered at a higher level. Everett and Northshore are examples. The state on average pays an Everett teacher almost $2,000 more each year than an Issaquah teacher.
3. Finally, we get less in local funding because other districts were grandfathered to higher levy lids than Issaquah when levy authority was equalized. Bellevue, Mercer Island and Seattle are examples of districts with much more levy authority than Issaquah. If Issaquah had the same levy authority as Bellevue, we would collect $6.4 million more per year; If Issaquah has the same levy authority as Mercer Island, we would collect $9.2 million more per year.

Additional district finance links

Washington PTA school funding report, April 28, 2004
Grandfathered levy lids
Grandfathered salary districts


Related information about school finance
School funding is one of many items discussed in Washington State's legislative and budget-setting sessions and is the topic of many media stories, which we list below. In addition, you will find information about Issaquah School District's funding status and activities related to the funding lawsuit.

Legislation/finances and the state’s basic education task force School levy lid isn't applied equally across state  Seattle Times, Oct.21, 2006
WASL question: Is the state shortchanging our kids?   Seattle Times, June 11, 2006
State sup't comments on governor's proposed budget  OSPI, Mar 24, 2005
State budget options running out   Seattle PI, Feb 15, 2005
Area schools demand full funding   The News Tribune, Feb 14, 2005
Resolution 881 for adequate, equitable and stable Basic Education funding.  ISD Board, Feb 9, 2005
Schools press funding issue with legislators  Seattle Times, Jan 12, 2005
Per-pupil expenditures  Education Week, Jan 6, 2005
State slips behind in school funding  Seattle PI, Dec 21, 2004