State school boss wants action now

OLYMPIA -- The state superintendent of public instruction urged the state Legislature to pass a supplemental budge covering the 2012-13 fiscal year, warning lawmakers that failure to do so could have a drastic impact on students and teachers.

Dorn warned that if a supplemental budget didn't pass by  June 21, $45 million may not go to school districts in June. Most of that money is needed for child nutrition and special education, Dorn said.

“The hits just keep on coming,” he said. “Because the House and Senate cannot come to a compromise, there are a lot of unintended consequences. In this case, districts have already spent the money and the state won’t be able to reimburse them.”

Supplemental budgets are written in even years and account for budget changes that may occur, such as extra costs accrued throughout the year. A biennial budget for 2013-15 has not yet been passed, neither has a supplemental budget for 2012. Dorn said without the passing of a supplemental budget, some school districts could start to feel the financial pinch in as soon as a couple weeks.

The legislature is in its second extended legislative session.