San Juan Island School District Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on K-12 Education Funding

On Sept. 11, the Supreme Court of Washington found the state in contempt because the legislature has failed to submit a plan to fully fund basic education as required by McCleary vs. State of Washington.

This means that the legislators’ “paramount duty” has not been fulfilled as required by the state constitution. However, the Court has ruled that sanctions will be withheld to allow the legislature time to develop options.

While many legislators are anxious to address our needs, others are claiming that because of the separation of powers, courts have no power to require that legislation be passed.

It is not clear which point of view will prevail.

Over the last several decades, Washington state has moved from fourth to forty-seventh in school funding. Our community has met this challenge though generous support of school levies to the maximum allowed by law.

Further, we have strong support through our Community Foundation, Schools Foundation, Island Rec, Purple and Gold, our Arts community and many others. We have forged a private/public partnership that is as extraordinary as it is unique.

Our ranking in the top five percent of high schools in the nation and our entire district being one of only a handful in the state to continue to meet federal requirements for improvement demonstrates how powerful this partnership is.

Now, most of our local levy goes to pay for basic costs rather than the extras that keep us in the top tier of school districts. This means the upcoming legislative session in January is going to be very important to the San Juan Island School District.

“Will the legislature do what is right and significantly improve our funding? It will come down to the citizens demanding it through direct contact with legislators,” school board director June Arnold said.

School board director Jack McKenna added, “Of course the Board will be in direct contact with Olympia representing our community, but without letters from our citizens as well, it becomes too easy for legislators to discount our input.”

Board Chairman Brent Snow continued, “Although it takes some time and effort, I encourage everyone in the community to set aside time to write our state senators, representatives and governor and encourage them to fund basic education at the levels they have promised. I can think of little else more important than educating our children and preparing them for bright and productive futures.”

Contact your state legislators at:

Chairman of the Senate Education Committee Steve Litzow; steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov

Chairman of the House Education Committee Sharon Tomiko Santos; sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Kevin Ranker; kevin.ranker@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Kristine Lytton; kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Jeff Morris; jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov