State Constitution, Article III, Sections 1 and 22; RCW 28A.300
The Superintendent of Public Instruction is a constitutional officer elected by the state's voters for a four-year term. The state Constitution charges the Superintendent to supervise "all matters pertaining to the public schools, and perform such duties as may be prescribed by law."
Agency Mission
The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) works to ensure that Washington’s public education system is centered on closing opportunity gaps and is characterized by high expectations for all students and educators.. To this end, SPI provides technical assistance in finance and curriculum matters to educational service districts and school districts; monitors and consults in such areas as basic education, the student testing program, curriculum development, special needs programs for special student populations, and educational technology; issues certificates for all teaching and support personnel for the K 12 system; administers the child nutrition, student transportation and state school construction programs; gathers and reports school information to state and federal authorities; prepares specifically requested reports each year; disseminates and coordinates the state's education reform efforts; provides the Legislature, Governor's Office, and other entities of state government with information for policymaking and budget preparation; implements state and federal laws pertaining to education by adopting rules and monitoring programs as required; coordinates the audit resolution process for audits of federal programs; apportions and distributes monies to local school districts; approves and monitors the budgets for the nine educational service districts (ESDs) and the 295 school districts; and advises county treasurers of estimated maximum levy capacity for individual school districts. SPI's responsibilities also include serving as a voting member of the State Board of Education; Professional Educator Standards Board; Washington State Charter School Commission; Paraeducator Board; and representing the interests and needs of education by serving on various state boards including: Board of Natural Resources, Washington State Work Force Training and Education Coordination Board, and Northwest Regional Education Laboratory (Board of Directors).
Request
32,921,139,000
Net change from current biennium
1,478,568,000 Increase
Percent change from current biennium
4.7% Increase
Operating Budget: Summary
Appropriated Funds
2019-21 Appropriations
Appropriated Funds
Expenditures
Amount
Estimated Balance
2017-19 Actual
2019-21 Estimated
2021-23 Proposed
2,296,845,241
407,203,241
General Fund - Federal
1,698,984,224
1,889,642,000
1,858,813,000
9,510,000
General Fund - Private/Local
3,702,611
9,510,000
9,492,000
25,141,282,000
General Fund - State
21,944,551,443
25,141,282,000
27,289,882,000
(1,635,572,000)
State Building Construction Account - State
1,635,572,000
1,895,245,000
3,000,000
3,000,000
Disaster Response Account - State
2,012,060,000
Education Legacy Trust Account - State
652,027,550
2,012,060,000
1,254,417,000
(500,883,000)
Common School Construction Account - State
500,883,000
313,885,000
94,867,000
WA Opportunity Pathways Account - State
58,182,757
94,867,000
141,052,000
2,454,000
Charter Schools Oversight Account - State
1,047,335
2,454,000
3,273,000
2,988,000
Workforce Education Investment Acc - State
2,988,000
2,281,000
1,052,000
Dedicated Marijuana Acct - State
952,682
1,052,000
999,000
2,915,000
2,915,000
Pension Funding Stabilization Acct - State
2,252,827
213,000
Performance Audits of Government - State
164,616
213,000
211,000
Dedicated McCleary Penalty Account - State
105,200,000
29,567,186,241
(1,723,336,759)
Total Appropriated Funds
24,467,066,045
31,290,523,000
32,769,550,000
Non-Appropriated Funds
2019-21 Non-Appropriated Funds
Expenditures
Amount
Balance
Non-Apropriated Funds
2017-19 Actual
2019-21 Estimated
2021-23 Proposed
(2,035,000)
Educator Certification Processing A - Nonappropriated
