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
Health Support in Private Schools
Access to FREE Naloxone for Private Schools Private schools seeking naloxone doses can complete a request with the Narcan Community Donation Program run by Direct Relief and Emergent Biosolutions. Multi-State Licensure & Certification for School Nurses...
EANS I Update from OSPI
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction informed EANS I schools that they put a hold on making additional payments of EANS I funds while the supplemental budget is being developed during the 2024 legislative session. "If this solution is implemented, we...
WFIS Advocacy Day – Private school leaders at the Capitol
The voice of private schools was a buzz around the Capitol campus on Tuesday as WFIS leaders met with more than a dozen legislators to discuss clock hour expansion, free dual credits for college in the classroom programs, preK programs being held in regular...
WFIS Advocacy Request
There are many bills this year that will impact private schools. We've listed several that could use some advocacy support from school leaders. Thank you for your participation. HB means the bill originated in the House, and SB means the bill originated in the Senate....
2024 Legislative Session, Week 2: Brrrrrr
As a WFIS member, your school is actively participating in the discussions and planning that guide private education in WA state. Your awareness and action on behalf of students and mission-based education strengthen the educational landscape and community. For any...
Cost of Care Survey sent this week – PLEASE COMPLETE
WFIS received word about the importance of the Cost of Care Survey sent to Early Learning Directors this week from our private school representative, Jen Sandvig. On Monday, Western Washington University sent a survey on behalf of DCYF regarding the Cost of Care. This...
FREE Naloxone distribution to high schools
DOH is offering all public high schools across the state naloxone, following legislation in 2022 that requires all high schools with more than 2000 students to retain this life-saving overdose medication at the school. SB 5804, filed last week, would expand the...
Clean Buildings for WA and now BEPS for Seattle
In December, the Seattle City Council, in a unanimous decision, passed Mayor Harrell's Building Emissions Performance Standard / BEPS legislation. This legislation, which applies to buildings over 20,000 square feet, sets ambitious carbon emissions targets to reach...
Jumping into Leg Session work
WFIS is working with Washington's twelve boarding schools through DCYF's negotiated rule-making process to create laws for inspecting boarding schools. It is critical to keep the scope of this legislation concise. We aim to find efficiency and prevent duplication with...
Update on EANS I budgets in deficit
OSPI is currently in discussions with the US Department of Education and the Office of Financial Management (OFM) regarding the EANS I accounts of private schools. These accounts have been pushed into deficit due to legislative action that diverted funds to implement...
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