KENT, Wash. - A King County Superior Court judge has ruled that the state is not fulfilling its constitutional duty to fully pay for basic education.
For nearly two months last fall, Judge John Erlick heard testimony from state officials as well as school officials, parents, teachers and community leaders. The coalition that brought the lawsuit wanted the judge to order the state to pay the full cost of basic education for kids in kindergarten through 12th grade. The state argued it is already doing so.
In his decision, Judge Erlick wrote, "The state has made progress toward this Constitutional obligation, but remains out of compliance. State funding is not ample, it is not stable, and it is not dependable."
Erlick then ordered the state to "determine the cost of amply providing for basic education and a basic program of education for all children resident in the State of Washington."
The case is in many ways a continuation of a lawsuit decided by the state Supreme Court 30 years ago. This case could eventually end up in that court as well.
