Today, the State Supreme Court ruled that Washington state is not amply funding basic education under the state Constitution. Below is a statement from Superintendent Art Jarvis regarding the decision.
I suppose it is sad to have to celebrate that our own Supreme Court would acknowledge that our schools are suffering, but in light of much of the politics we have seen at the Federal and state levels, I am thrilled they had the guts to uphold a tough ruling.
We all know the state is short of money. That’s not the issue here. The courts have now affirmed that Constitutional mandate that the education of children in the State of Washington cannot be abandoned because times are tough. The Courts affirm here that public education is especially sacred and must be protected. The Courts are well aware that wealthier families and communities can find ways to provide for their children if the public schools can’t. To state the obvious, they are keenly aware that the economically challenged areas in Tacoma and elsewhere do not have the same options.
Without court engagement, it appears that we would all be considering shorter school weeks, shorter years, fewer offerings, larger classes, narrower curriculum and less quality overall. That is simply a tragic condition and a terrible statement about our commitment to education in Washington State. As difficult as it is for our legislators, the courts have now taken away excuses not to do what is absolutely right for our children.
Let me also be cautious. I remember well a similar moment in 1978 when The Washington State Supreme Court affirmed the decision by Judge Doran and directed the legislature to provide ample funding for public education. Thirty-four years of poor decision making, short-sighted policies, and just-plain politics and we see the results. We now need true and courageous leadership in our legislature to fix it and make it right – not because the courts said so but because it is the right thing to do for our children.
Yes, I am thrilled by this decision.