"This budget would provide record funding to the Small District Modernization Grant Program, fully funding every outstanding project in the queue," Tyler Munshi said, testifying on behalf of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Munshi asked the committee to maintain the governor's level for the small district modernization program and to continue investments in the School Seismic Safety Grant Program. Retired rural superintendent Jim Kokoskin told the panel that many small rural districts are property‑poor and cannot fund entire replacements: "If the school had not burnt down and wanted to build a new school, their bonding capacity is $4,000,000. That new school cost almost $30,000,000," he said, explaining why modernization grants matter for rural communities.

Senator Schoessler pressed agency witnesses on the pace of spending from a seismic account that had been appropriated earlier; Munshi said much of the money so far has paid for technical planning grants and that two projects are near ready to claim construction funding. "These are really technical projects," he said, noting the average capital project timeline is about three years.

Early learning facility advocates said capital funding is essential to expand child care slots in underserved and rural communities. Julie German Murray described Birdie's Nest, a therapeutic childcare center that received a predevelopment grant and asked for construction‑phase support. Start Early Washington and the Early Learning Facilities Coalition urged continuation of competitive ELF grants that have supported expansions and new facilities.

Why it matters: school modernization, seismic retrofits and early learning facilities affect safety and capacity for communities across Washington; planning and construction timelines can delay when funds are spent.

No formal committee action occurred during the hearing; witnesses asked budget writers to preserve or increase proposed funding levels.

Provenance: Tyler Munshi's testimony and follow up questions from senators; early learning testimony from predevelopment grantees and coalition representatives.