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Our ISD Students Rely on the Stability of These Four Key Partners in Education
1. Issaquah Schools Foundation
Working alongside the District in realizing it mission, the Foundation supports programs that benefit ALL Issaquah School District students. Thanks to generous donors, the Issaquah Schools Foundation is able to provide over a million dollars in programs and grants each year to students and teachers in the Issaquah School District. The Cultural Bridges program that publishes this Family Guide is only one example of the work the Foundation makes possible. There are many ways to get involved with the Foundation! Be a volunteer or an ambassador. And as a donor, you are fueling success for every student at every school. To learn more, visit www.isfdn.org.
2. Taxes & State Funding
Public education funding is a very complicated system. Schools receive funding from the federal government, state government, and local tax levies and bonds. The majority of the District’s operating budget comes from the state. It is based on a school district’s enrollment on a per-pupil basis. The District uses the operations budget to fund all programs, services, textbooks, materials, and salaries. In short, everything needed to run the District day to day. However, this does not fully cover the cost of a modern education. Districts are allowed to ask voters for levies to fund extras. Local voters approve levies every two to four years to make up the difference in what the state pays for and what the District needs to offer high-quality education.
3. PTSA /PTA
Every school in our District has a PTSA/PTA. Their president and the school principal meet regularly as the PTSA/PTA supports school activities. PTSA/ PTA groups have delegates that attend the WSPTA Legislative Assembly and vote for resolutions and legislative issues. PTSA/PTA offers meaningful volunteer opportunities with the school community for activities such as Picture Days. PTSA/PTA supports students, staff, and parents by creating fundraising events like fun runs, auctions, and book fairs. With these funds, they provide art supplies, teacher stipends, field trips, library books, STEM and cultural activities, and more. Be a PTSA/PTA member, volunteer in their activities, and participate in their events.
4. Bonds & Levies
In their funding formulas, state and federal governments provide little or no resources to pay for school construction or repairs, educational technology, or school bus purchases. Instead, the state allows school districts to run levies and bonds, asking local taxpayers to fund these specific items. School bonds specifically provide funding for construction—renovating and building new schools or repairing facilities to ensure students learn in safe, secure, and modern classrooms. School bond elections require a supermajority (60%) of voter approval to pass. If you are eligible, VOTE! And if you are not, help with the campaigns and explain to other families why this is so important.
Why Is Issaquah Schools Foundation Needed?
ISF is one of the 4 pillars of student support within ISD:
State funding provides approximately 66% of budget.
Federal funding provides approximately 4% of budget.
Bonds and levies make up 30%
All the above funds only support BASIC education – buildings, salaries, and core curriculum.
PTA's make up some of the gaps at INDIVIDUAL schools.
Only ISF can fund programs DISTRICT-WIDE.
