The prototypical school funding model allocates general apportionment funding to school districts based on assumed levels of staff and other resources necessary to support prototypical elementary, middle, and high schools with assumed student enrollments.  The model provides minimum allocations for designated staff types.  In 2022, the Legislature passed 2SHB 1664 which increased the minimum allocations for school nurses, social workers, psychologists, and counselors over a three year period.

Most funding provided to school districts through the prototypical school funding model is for allocation purposes only, and districts have discretion over how the money is spent.  Minimum allocations for one subgroup of staff is provided only to the extent of and proportionate to a district's ratio of full-time staff in that subgroup to full-time students.  This subgroup is called physical, social, and emotional support staff (PSES staff) and includes nurses, social workers, psychologists, counselors, classified staff providing student and staff safety, and parent involvement coordinators.

The staff position of "classified staff providing student and staff safety" is removed from the defined subgroup of PSES staff.  As a result, classified staff providing student and staff safety are no longer included when calculating a district's demonstrated ratio of full-time PSES staff to full-time equivalent students for purposes of allocating funding.

PRO: We agree with the intent to focus the measure of compliance more closely with the types of staff that the state is investing in. Tightening the fence around the enhanced staff types is a wonderful improvement. When the bill went through rulemaking, school resource officers (SROs) were authorized for the use of these funds, which was concerning and disappointing. SROs do not provide mental health support and sometimes cause harm, especially to students of color. This bill will make sure these recent investments remain consistent with original intent.
 
OTHER: There are some concerns that this bill would limit school district abilities to hire staff like crossing guards, hall monitors, and uncertified nurses. The funding model is in early implementation and should be allowed to play out instead of withdrawing a potentially positive policy. The proposed deletion goes beyond the original intent. These classified staff are a frequent component of health safety plans, providing supervision during unstructured time and supporting students. Schools continue to face external and internal threats and the investment in school security personnel is modest.