Legislative and Policy Advocacy
We work with legislators and policy makers to ensure that legislation in Olympia affecting schools and education is crafted with the particular needs of private and independent schools in mind.WFIS Legislative and Policy Updates
Clean Buildings Compliance Webinar Series
How to submit a Tier I exemption from Clean Buildings Performance Standards - May 5 The Commerce Dept. webinar walked through the process of setting up access, identifying, and preparing the required information to complete an exemption application for Tier 1 (and the...
Expect Initial Consultations for Title Funds students
School districts should soon begin contacting participating private schools to schedule initial consultation meetings for equitable services for the 2026–27 school year. Find information and resources for available federal programs on the private school webpage. In...
The Federal (Freedom) Scholarship Tax Credit Program
How does an SGO work with schools? Scholarship Granting Organizations award FSTC scholarships to students based on the SGO's unique mission. For example, an SGO might support students in attending a particular type of school or in participating in science-based...
The Federal (Freedom) Scholarship Tax Credit Program
The FSTC: what it is, how it works, and why it matters. WFIS wants school leaders to be fluent in their understanding of the FSTC and in their ability to answer questions and build financial strategies around it. Is the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit a Big Deal for...
School Approval Applications
The State Board of Education is still waiting on a small number of schools to complete their annual approval applications. This step is sometimes overlooked—especially with spring break and transitions in administrative staff—but it’s essential for maintaining...
Cell Phone Policies: Benefits, Challenges, and Safety Implications with Joffe Emergency Services
REMINDER: Take the Joffe 2026 School Safety Survey: Take the survey before April 24. Results sent to everyone who completes it. Monday’s free Joffe webinar highlighted the rapidly evolving landscape of student cell phone use in schools. While schools implementing...
Locked Doors, Open Gaps: Insights from Joffe webinar
On Monday 4/6/26, Chris Joffe, Founder and CEO of Joffe Emergency Services, presented an overview of how schools are investing in safety and where critical gaps remain. School safety spending has grown to $3.5B nationally, up from $1B in 2013, largely following...
Title Funds Update: What Schools Need to Know and Plan
At Tuesday's K12 Zoom, WFIS hosted OSPI Ombuds Sheila Gerrish to outline current information on LEAs' allowable fund transfers and consultation requirements. Local Education Agencies, more widely referred to as "Districts", may transfer money from Title II, Part A and...
Update on the Freedom Scholarship Tax Credit opportunity (formerly Federal Scholarship Tax Credit)
The Freedom Scholarship Tax Credit presents a significant opportunity for students in public and private schools. Public awareness of the program is building. Private school parents should learn more about it, and our schools can help. Washington is uniquely...
Washington’s Organics Management Law Requirements
Legislation passed over the last 3 years aims to divert food and yard waste from landfills to reduce methane emissions and slow climate change. Schools in the ORCA Map areashould take note of the following timelines. By April 1, 2027, cities and counties in an...
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