Parents and Students Rally in Olympia to Support School Funding for All
On April 11, 2025, nearly 200 parents, students, educators, and advocates united at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia to advocate for public school funding amidst challenging budget discussions. The rally was a clear demonstration of the community's desire to keep education at the forefront of policymakers' agendas. As legislators consider cuts to essential services, the message echoed loud and clear: education is invaluable and must not suffer due to financial constraints.
Among the advocates, Representative Larry Springer from District 45 expressed his unwavering commitment to support education, especially charter public schools. He stated, "When I walked into my first charter school classroom, I could feel the quality of education—it was undeniable. This model works, and I'll continue fighting every year to ensure charter public school students get the funding they deserve."
Student voices were also prominent during the rally. Samara McDonald, a senior at Seattle's Summit Sierra, shared her personal experience, emphasizing that every child in Washington should have access to the same opportunities. Her heartfelt message was, "Every student in Washington deserves the same opportunity, and that starts with making education a top priority. Don't cut kids. Don't cut our future."
Parents and educators articulated their concerns regarding the potential negative impacts of budget cuts on educational resources. Kathleen Dacquisto, who has a child attending Impact Public Schools, highlighted the importance of protecting school funding. "Education is an investment in our children and our state's future. Our lawmakers must protect school funding so that every student, no matter where they go to school, has the resources they need to thrive. Charter schools are public schools—and families rely on them," she urged.
Dan Effland, the Executive Director at Summit Atlas High School, reinforced the vital role that robust public education funding plays in improving academic outcomes for students. “As a teacher and school leader, I see the impact of strong public education funding every day. Charter public schools are delivering for Washington's students—but we need the support to continue doing so. Budgets may be tight, but kids shouldn't bear the burden,” he stressed.
The Washington State Charter Schools Association joined forces with families and educators at the rally, calling for action from lawmakers to prioritize the budget for education. Chris Korsmo, the Executive Director of the association, echoed the community sentiment, asserting that "every child in Washington deserves access to a great public education. We call on lawmakers to keep education funding strong and protect the future of our students."
The activities did not merely reflect a temporary rally but symbolized a community that recognizes the importance of accessible education. Arik Korman, Executive Director of the League of Education Voters, emphasized the role of charter public schools in serving diverse populations. He stated, "Charter public schools are free, open to all, and serve diverse communities across the state. They are helping students who've historically been underserved succeed. We came to the capitol to make sure those students aren't left behind—and that education remains a top priority for our state."
As policymakers gear up to make decisions that will affect the future of Washington’s educational system, the passionate voices from the Capitol demonstrate the resolve of families eager to ensure that education continues to thrive and provides opportunities for all students. The Washington State Charter Schools Association makes available high-resolution photos and video clips from the rally, encouraging further media coverage and dialogue around this pressing issue. These charter schools remain tuition-free, offer a public education accessible to all, and show consistently strong academic results, all while fostering innovative learning environments that cater to the needs of every child.
For further inquiries or interview requests related to this event, interested parties can reach out to Jennifer Diaz at the contact provided, representing the Washington State Charter Schools Association.
Among the advocates, Representative Larry Springer from District 45 expressed his unwavering commitment to support education, especially charter public schools. He stated, "When I walked into my first charter school classroom, I could feel the quality of education—it was undeniable. This model works, and I'll continue fighting every year to ensure charter public school students get the funding they deserve."
Student voices were also prominent during the rally. Samara McDonald, a senior at Seattle's Summit Sierra, shared her personal experience, emphasizing that every child in Washington should have access to the same opportunities. Her heartfelt message was, "Every student in Washington deserves the same opportunity, and that starts with making education a top priority. Don't cut kids. Don't cut our future."
Parents and educators articulated their concerns regarding the potential negative impacts of budget cuts on educational resources. Kathleen Dacquisto, who has a child attending Impact Public Schools, highlighted the importance of protecting school funding. "Education is an investment in our children and our state's future. Our lawmakers must protect school funding so that every student, no matter where they go to school, has the resources they need to thrive. Charter schools are public schools—and families rely on them," she urged.
Dan Effland, the Executive Director at Summit Atlas High School, reinforced the vital role that robust public education funding plays in improving academic outcomes for students. “As a teacher and school leader, I see the impact of strong public education funding every day. Charter public schools are delivering for Washington's students—but we need the support to continue doing so. Budgets may be tight, but kids shouldn't bear the burden,” he stressed.
The Washington State Charter Schools Association joined forces with families and educators at the rally, calling for action from lawmakers to prioritize the budget for education. Chris Korsmo, the Executive Director of the association, echoed the community sentiment, asserting that "every child in Washington deserves access to a great public education. We call on lawmakers to keep education funding strong and protect the future of our students."
The activities did not merely reflect a temporary rally but symbolized a community that recognizes the importance of accessible education. Arik Korman, Executive Director of the League of Education Voters, emphasized the role of charter public schools in serving diverse populations. He stated, "Charter public schools are free, open to all, and serve diverse communities across the state. They are helping students who've historically been underserved succeed. We came to the capitol to make sure those students aren't left behind—and that education remains a top priority for our state."
As policymakers gear up to make decisions that will affect the future of Washington’s educational system, the passionate voices from the Capitol demonstrate the resolve of families eager to ensure that education continues to thrive and provides opportunities for all students. The Washington State Charter Schools Association makes available high-resolution photos and video clips from the rally, encouraging further media coverage and dialogue around this pressing issue. These charter schools remain tuition-free, offer a public education accessible to all, and show consistently strong academic results, all while fostering innovative learning environments that cater to the needs of every child.
For further inquiries or interview requests related to this event, interested parties can reach out to Jennifer Diaz at the contact provided, representing the Washington State Charter Schools Association.
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