Who Really Controls Washington's Public Schools?
Understanding the players: When people talk about "the schools," they often assume there's one entity in charge. The reality is far more complex. Multiple organizations—from elected officials to unions to support agencies—all have different types and levels of power over what happens in Moses Lake classrooms.
This page explains who they are, how they're funded, and most importantly: what they can actually control versus what they can only influence.
What it is: OSPI is Washington's primary state education agency. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is an elected statewide official (currently Chris Reykdal) who serves a 4-year term.
How it's funded: State budget appropriated by Legislature. FY 2026-27 budget: $274.6 million for OSPI operations (this doesn't include the money OSPI distributes to schools—that's separate and much larger). OSPI also administers federal education funding that flows to Washington.
What OSPI CAN control/mandate:
What OSPI CANNOT do:
What it is: 16-member appointed/elected policy board. Members include: 2 students, 5 elected by school directors, 7 appointed by Governor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and 1 private school representative.
How it's funded: State budget (part of OSPI's overall education budget).
What SBE CAN control:
What SBE CANNOT do:
What it is: Largest teachers union in America with nearly 3 million members nationwide. Founded 1857, headquartered in Washington D.C. WEA (Washington Education Association) is its state affiliate.
How it's funded: Member dues. 2021-22: $369 million from dues out of $50.4 million total revenue. Dues are collected locally, with portions going to local, state, and national levels.
What NEA DOES:
What NEA CANNOT do:
What it is: Second-largest teachers union in America with ~1.5 million members. Founded 1916, affiliated with AFL-CIO. President: Randi Weingarten. AFT Washington is its state affiliate.
How it's funded: Member dues, structured similarly to NEA.
What AFT DOES:
In Washington: AFT Washington represents ~6,500 members (much smaller than WEA's 94,000). Represents mainly community/technical college faculty and pre-K–12 classified employees, NOT the majority of K-12 teachers.
What AFT CANNOT do:
What it is: Washington's largest teachers union and NEA affiliate. Claims 94,000 members statewide (K-12 teachers, education support professionals, higher ed). Largest labor union in Washington state.
How it's funded: Member dues. 2021-22: $50.4 million total revenue, mostly from member dues. Members pay dues via payroll deduction; portions stay local, portions go to state WEA, portions go to national NEA.
How WEA exercises power:
1. Collective Bargaining (LOCAL LEVEL)
2. Political Influence (STATE LEVEL)
3. School Board Elections (LOCAL LEVEL)
4. State Agencies
What WEA CANNOT directly do:
Policy positions: WEA actively supports progressive causes including DEI ideology, LGBTQ+ curriculum, transgender policies, Black Lives Matter at School Week, "safe school zones" preventing cooperation with immigration enforcement, and opposes charter schools and vouchers. WEA also calls out "extremist political groups" like Freedom Foundation and Washington Policy Center.
What it is: State affiliate of American Federation of Teachers, representing ~6,500 members. Primarily represents community/technical college faculty and pre-K–12 classified staff (not teachers).
Power: Similar structure to WEA but much smaller footprint in K-12. Has bargaining power in community colleges and for classified staff, but most K-12 teachers belong to WEA, not AFT.
What it is: Professional association for Washington's 1,477 elected school board members. Founded 1922. Technically a state agency but has NO regulatory authority.
How it's funded: State budget, membership fees, and subscription services.
What WSSDA DOES:
What WSSDA CANNOT do:
Important note: WSSDA has adopted progressive positions including equity-focused mission and policies. Some conservative school board members disagree with WSSDA's statewide advocacy positions.
MOST IMPORTANT: Your locally elected school board is the legal governing authority for your school district. School boards have significant power—but that power is constrained by state law, collective bargaining agreements, and political pressure.
What school boards CAN do:
What school boards CANNOT do:
1. State Law
2. Collective Bargaining Agreements
3. Political Pressure
4. Federal Requirements
| Action | Who Has the Power | Who Has Influence |
|---|---|---|
| Create education laws | State Legislature | WEA lobbies heavily; WSSDA advocates |
| Implement state laws | OSPI | Districts must comply; SBE provides oversight |
| Set graduation requirements | State Board of Education | OSPI coordinates; WSSDA may comment |
| Distribute state funding | OSPI (per Legislature's formula) | Districts receive; WEA lobbies for increases |
| Hire/fire teachers | Local school district/superintendent | WEA contract protects teachers; provides legal help |
| Set teacher salaries | School board (negotiates with union) | WEA negotiates; Legislature sets funding levels |
| Choose curriculum materials | Local school board/district | Must meet state standards; teacher input; WEA contract may require consultation |
| Set class sizes | Local school board | Constrained by budget and union contract provisions |
| Require specific policies (transgender, etc.) | OSPI (implementing state law) | Federal government investigating; some districts resisting |
| Authorize strikes | WEA (local chapter) | Can shut down schools; school board must negotiate |
| Elect school board members | Local voters | WEA-PAC endorses and campaigns (70% win rate) |
| Elect state legislators | State voters | WEA-PAC heavily influences (largest PAC in state) |
The short answer: Your local school board has legal authority, but that authority is heavily constrained by state law, union contracts, political pressure, and funding limitations. WEA doesn't run the schools directly, but it has enormous influence through collective bargaining, political lobbying, and school board elections.
1. State Legislature (Makes the Laws)
Legislature creates the rules everyone must follow. WEA is the most powerful lobby at this level.
2. OSPI (Enforces the Laws)
OSPI implements what Legislature passes. Currently in conflict with federal government over transgender policies. Can withhold funding from non-compliant districts.
3. State Board of Education (Sets Academic Standards)
SBE sets graduation requirements and approves private schools.
4. Local School Boards (Implement Locally)
Boards govern districts but must comply with state law and union contracts. WEA's influence in board elections means many boards are union-friendly.
5. WEA (No Direct Authority, But Enormous Influence)
WEA cannot directly control schools but influences outcomes through:
Moses Lake School Board has legal authority to run MLSD, but:
To change MLSD policies: You can influence your local school board, but if policies are mandated by state law (via OSPI), your real target is the Legislature → which means voting and political engagement at the state level.
Direct Authority:
Influence Without Direct Authority:
Key Takeaway: When people ask "who controls our schools?", the answer is complex. Your school board has legal authority, but that authority operates within a web of state law (made by Legislature, enforced by OSPI), union contracts (negotiated with WEA), and political realities (WEA is the most powerful lobby in the state). To effect change, you need to engage at multiple levels: local board elections, state legislative races, and understanding the power dynamics between all these players.