Federal Way school district votes to sue the state
The Federal Way School district says it will sue the state for non-support of education.
The lawsuit is the result of a problem created in 1977 when the state legislature established a formula for district reimbursement based on what the districts were spending in three categories.
Districts which had experienced levy failure in the years before 1977 received less reimbursement. In following years, district reimbursement has frequently been increased on a percentage basis. This allegedly has increased the disparity.
The Federal Way School Board voted to sue on Tuesday. "Right now there's no more blood to squeeze out of the turnip. We can't tolerate it any longer," said School Board member and spokesman Dave Larson. "You've just got to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough and we're at that point."
There are 22,000 kids in Federal Way schools. It's the seventh largest district in the state. In state reimbursement for each kid, the district ranks 263rd among the state's some 300 districts.
"We've cut 14 million dollars in the last four years," Larson said. "We're looking at another 6 million dollars in the coming year."
He explained that there is less reimbursement from the state for professionals and administrators and a recent pay increase for teachers was not uniformly reimbursed. As a result, the budgets have been cut and kids have fewer resources, fewer libraries, and less sports activity.
Amazingly, kids do well on the WASL. But parents like Anila Govindaraju worry. "I'm not so happy the way the education system is taking a turn," she said. "I really think if a child is to grow, you have to have all of these things."
Parent Renee Gipson said: "If they sue the state and win, I'm happy for them. Because they need it, they really do."
She said "if" they sue, but Larson says there is no question. "I hate to say it but after thirty years of inaction, we are going to file suit," he said.
The state school superintendent says she cannot comment on a lawsuit.
But, the statewide teachers' union (WEA) and its allies are also talking tough. "I think there is no question that the state is not meeting its obligation to make ample provision for students and schools," said President Charles Hasse.
Hasse says the WEA and allied groups will probably give the Legislature one more chance before challenging funding for the state which they believe needs to be increased by about 25 percent.
The Federal Way suit is narrow and just seeks to eliminate inequities in distribution of state funds. It is expected to be filed in early November.
The lawsuit is the result of a problem created in 1977 when the state legislature established a formula for district reimbursement based on what the districts were spending in three categories.
Districts which had experienced levy failure in the years before 1977 received less reimbursement. In following years, district reimbursement has frequently been increased on a percentage basis. This allegedly has increased the disparity.
The Federal Way School Board voted to sue on Tuesday. "Right now there's no more blood to squeeze out of the turnip. We can't tolerate it any longer," said School Board member and spokesman Dave Larson. "You've just got to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough and we're at that point."
There are 22,000 kids in Federal Way schools. It's the seventh largest district in the state. In state reimbursement for each kid, the district ranks 263rd among the state's some 300 districts.
"We've cut 14 million dollars in the last four years," Larson said. "We're looking at another 6 million dollars in the coming year."
He explained that there is less reimbursement from the state for professionals and administrators and a recent pay increase for teachers was not uniformly reimbursed. As a result, the budgets have been cut and kids have fewer resources, fewer libraries, and less sports activity.
Amazingly, kids do well on the WASL. But parents like Anila Govindaraju worry. "I'm not so happy the way the education system is taking a turn," she said. "I really think if a child is to grow, you have to have all of these things."
Parent Renee Gipson said: "If they sue the state and win, I'm happy for them. Because they need it, they really do."
She said "if" they sue, but Larson says there is no question. "I hate to say it but after thirty years of inaction, we are going to file suit," he said.
The state school superintendent says she cannot comment on a lawsuit.
But, the statewide teachers' union (WEA) and its allies are also talking tough. "I think there is no question that the state is not meeting its obligation to make ample provision for students and schools," said President Charles Hasse.
Hasse says the WEA and allied groups will probably give the Legislature one more chance before challenging funding for the state which they believe needs to be increased by about 25 percent.
The Federal Way suit is narrow and just seeks to eliminate inequities in distribution of state funds. It is expected to be filed in early November.
