OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate passed Senate Bill 5023 this week — just before a key deadline — to delay the so-called “levy cliff” and a $358 million dollar cut to Washington schools.

The vote followed the passage of a similar measure a month and a half ago in the House of Representatives.

Sen. Christine Rolfes, a 23rd District lawmaker and Bainbridge Island Democrat, released this statement:

“This is a huge win for students and schools in Kitsap County and throughout Washington. Nearly every school in the state would have seen cuts if this bill had not been given a vote in the Senate. Many school districts have already spent precious time and resources preparing for the worst.

“I want to thank all the parents, teachers and students who called my office and those of my Senate colleagues, urging a vote on this bill. Their voices could not be ignored and the students of Washington will benefit from their efforts,” said Rolfes, one of the key negotiators of the final agreement.

“The assurance school districts now have will allow them to focus on the great work they do in educating our kids. And without the levy cliff looming, the Legislature can get down to work negotiating a final bipartisan agreement that will fully and fairly fund schools for our 1.1 million students,” she said.