In a recent webinar, La Conner Schools officials and Skagit County educators pressed state lawmakers to focus on increasing funding for essential educational services in the upcoming 2025 legislative session. Superintendent David Cram addressed the fiscal challenges schools face, citing rising costs in special education and maintenance, alongside a dramatic drop in enrollment from 600-700 students to just 465 since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Longtime Mount Vernon school board member Larry Otos emphasized the necessity of proactive communication with legislators to tackle rising transportation and materials costs, which are not keeping pace with inflation. State Rep. Clyde Shavers, vice-chair of the House Education Committee, voiced support for special education and early childhood funding initiatives, acknowledging the complexities of resource allocation.

The discussion underscored the chronic underfunding that threatens the provision of essential services to students. With a tight state budget looming, school leaders expressed their commitment to assisting lawmakers in making informed decisions amid competing priorities. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the needs of all students are met effectively. The La Conner School District, located in Legislative District 10, is poised to advocate strongly for necessary changes.