Equity-Based Budgeting: Spending Money Where it is Needed Most

In the Issaquah School District, every child’s success matters. That means making sure each school has the people, programs and resources to meet the unique needs and strengths of its students — academically, socially and emotionally. 

To better serve today’s students, ISD is moving to an equity-based budgeting model. Unlike traditional budgeting methods that rely mostly on enrollment, this new approach uses student data to direct funding where it can make the greatest impact. 

“We are transitioning to an equity-based budgeting approach to ensure that our resources are aligned with the diverse needs of our students,” said Martin Turney, chief of finance and operations. “This model allows us to proactively allocate funding where it can have the greatest impact, supporting our commitment to closing opportunity gaps and promoting success for all learners.” 

What is Equity-Based Budgeting? 

Equity-based budgeting is not about giving some schools more and others less. It’s about making data-driven investments, so every student gets the right support. That may include: 

• Academic support and tutoring 
• Mental health and emotional services 
• Language access for multilingual learners 
• Family outreach 
• Staff training in inclusive instructional practices
• This approach is grounded in ISD’s Strategic Plan and helps improve student outcomes while maximizing the impact of taxpayer dollars. 

 
Connecting Instruction and Investment 

Equity-based budgeting supports recent shifts in how instruction is delivered. This year, ISD began districtwide implementation of inclusionary practices that will be strengthened through our research-based frameworks: Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). 

The MTSS work helps staff match the right level of support to each student’s needs, starting with strong classroom instruction and adding interventions when needed; UDL empowers teachers to design flexible lessons from the start so that all students can access, engage with and succeed in grade-level learning. 

“Equity-based budgeting is not a one-time shift — it’s an ongoing process,” said Moriah Banasick, CPA, executive director of finance and budget. “We will continuously use data to better understand student needs and adjust our resource allocation to support schools where the need is greatest.” 

 
What To Expect Across Our Schools 

As equity-based budgeting rolls out fully in the 2025–26 school year, families and the community may notice: 

• More classroom support where it’s needed most 
• Better access to technology and updated learning materials 
• Improved delivery of MTSS, UDL, inclusion, special education and language supports 
• Greater access to counselors, nurses and mental health staff 
• Families and community members are encouraged to stay informed and learn more about how this smarter budgeting approach supports every student’s success.