Dear NWGCA Members,

We have finally received word that the Governor signed the budget without vetoing any portion of the funding for gifted education. This is a monumental testimonial to the hard work of every person who supports the gifted education community. I have copied those areas of the budget that apply to gifted education. Please share this information with all those people who rely on you for information about gifted education and with your school board members and the school administrators responsible for gifted education in your district.

Thank you for your hard work this legislative session.

We have more to do. The gifted funding is still categorical. We will be working on the transition of gifted education into basic education over the next year or two. That process will hold the very future of gifted education for Washington children.

Sec. 511. 2009 c 564 s 511 is amended to read as

FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION–FOR PROGRAMS FOR HIGHLY CAPABLE STUDENTS
General Fund–State Appropriation (FY 2010) . . . . . . .(($9,430,000))                                                       $9,189,000
General Fund–State Appropriation (FY 2011) . . . . . . .(($9,437,000))                                                        $9,188,000
TOTAL APPROPRIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . .               (($18,867,000))                                                      $18,377,000

The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
(1) Each general fund fiscal year appropriation includes such funds as are necessary to complete the school year ending in the fiscal year and for prior fiscal year adjustments.
(2) Allocations for school district programs for highly capable  students shall be distributed at a maximum rate of $401.08 per funded student for the 2009-10 school year and $401.08 per funded student for  the 2010-11 school year, exclusive of salary and benefit adjustments pursuant to section 504 of this act.  The number of funded students  shall be a maximum of 2.314 percent of each district’s full-time
equivalent basic education enrollment.
(3) $90,000 of the fiscal year 2010 appropriation and $90,000 of  the fiscal year 2011 appropriation are provided for the Washington destination imagination network and future problem-solving programs.
(4) $170,000 of the fiscal year 2010 appropriation and $170,000 of  the fiscal year 2011 appropriation are provided for the centrum program at Fort Worden state park.

Marcia Holland, President

Northwest Gifted Child Association