Attorney General Ferguson says governor must make education a top priority, backs moving OSPI into governor's cabinet
June 09, 2024 | Bob Ferguson - Governor, Washington State
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Attorney General Ferguson told an editorial board the state is not meeting its obligation on education funding and said a governor must prioritize schooling, special education and mental-health supports.
Ferguson said the legislature's post-McCleary investment — which he acknowledged included roughly $7 billion at the time — has not kept pace with rising needs in special education, school construction and student mental-health services. "The funding is not keeping pace," he said, adding that visits to all 39 counties and conversations with educators convinced him the problem is statewide.
He argued the governor's office can influence education through three levers: the bully pulpit, the budget the governor proposes and working with the legislature to put priorities in place. On governance, Ferguson said he supports making the state superintendent an appointed member of the governor's cabinet rather than an elected office, a change he said would allow the governor to coordinate more closely with OSPI on accountability and implementation.
On higher education, Ferguson described low FAFSA completion among Washington high-school students as an actionable target. He said governors can use public outreach and partnerships with schools and the business community to raise completion rates and expand college access.
Ferguson also addressed charter schools and school funding: he said he has not been a historical supporter of charter schools, defended the attorney general's role defending voter initiatives in court, and said he would need to review details before supporting any change that would give charter schools access to levy funds. He said he would not favor vouchers.
Ferguson framed these proposals as part of a broader management approach: identifying what is working, continuing those programs and investing in what needs improvement. The editorial board did not take action during the interview; Ferguson said implementation would require cooperation with the legislature and other stakeholders.
The next procedural step he cited was using the governor's transition to set education priorities and working with legislators on budget proposals.
Ferguson said the legislature's post-McCleary investment — which he acknowledged included roughly $7 billion at the time — has not kept pace with rising needs in special education, school construction and student mental-health services. "The funding is not keeping pace," he said, adding that visits to all 39 counties and conversations with educators convinced him the problem is statewide.
He argued the governor's office can influence education through three levers: the bully pulpit, the budget the governor proposes and working with the legislature to put priorities in place. On governance, Ferguson said he supports making the state superintendent an appointed member of the governor's cabinet rather than an elected office, a change he said would allow the governor to coordinate more closely with OSPI on accountability and implementation.
On higher education, Ferguson described low FAFSA completion among Washington high-school students as an actionable target. He said governors can use public outreach and partnerships with schools and the business community to raise completion rates and expand college access.
Ferguson also addressed charter schools and school funding: he said he has not been a historical supporter of charter schools, defended the attorney general's role defending voter initiatives in court, and said he would need to review details before supporting any change that would give charter schools access to levy funds. He said he would not favor vouchers.
Ferguson framed these proposals as part of a broader management approach: identifying what is working, continuing those programs and investing in what needs improvement. The editorial board did not take action during the interview; Ferguson said implementation would require cooperation with the legislature and other stakeholders.
The next procedural step he cited was using the governor's transition to set education priorities and working with legislators on budget proposals.
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