FERNDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 502
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON

RESOLUTION NO. 03-2026
A RESOLUTION URGING THE WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
TO ADDRESS K-12 FUNDING.

WHEREAS the Washington State Constitution states that "It is the paramount duty oft he state
to make ample provision for the education ofa ll children; and
WHEREAS Ferndale School District No. 502 is facing significant funding challenges as we
plan for the 2026-2027 school year and despite having implemented reductions in the 2025-2026
school year; and
WHEREAS the percentage ofK-12 funding in the state operating budget has declined from
slightly over 52% in 2019 to 43%; and
WHEREAS inflation adjusted K-12 spending in Washington State has declined by over 10%
since 2019; and
WHEREAS the state funding provided for public education has not kept pace with inflation
impacting Ferndale School District by nearly 24.4 million in the 2020 school year; and
WHEREAS the state funding shortfalls for special education results in a 11.95 million
negative impact to Ferndale School District; and
WHEREAS the state funding shortfalls for materials, supplies, and operating costs results in a
11.18 million negative impact to Ferndale School District; and
WHEREAS the Washington State Legislature has failed to act on a variety ofo ptions
presented to address the systemically underfunded public education system in Washington State;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ferndale School District No. 502 Board of
Directors formally urges the Legislature to fully fund public education with ample provisions for
students at the Ferndale School District consistent with our state constitution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ferndale School District No. 502 Board ofD irectors
formally urges the Washington State Legislature to update existing allocations based on the most
recent year's complete data to ensure accuracy for changing budget conditions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ferndale School District No. 502 Board ofD irectors
formally urges the Washington State Legislature to provide full funding for specific additional state
requirements mandated through legislation including special education, materials, supplies, and
operating costs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ferndale School District No. 502 Board of Directors
formally urges the Legislature to include in funding plans a comprehensive system for stable and
sustainable revenue with ample provisions for equitable funding.
ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of Ferndale School District No. 502, Whatcom County,
Washington, at an open public meeting thereof held this 27th day of January 2026, the following
Directors being present and voting in favor of the resolution.

FERNDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 502
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Signed by Directors

Resolution 03-2026