Public education funding lawsuit proceeds to trial

The NEWS lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in King County Superior Court in March 2009.

In August 2007, King County Superior Court Judge Paris Kallas denied NEWS' motion for a summary judgment in the case that claims the State of Washington has not upheld its constitutional obligation to fully fund public education for all children. NEWS filed the summary judgment motion in May 2007 with the hopes of avoiding a prolonged trial in the case. We advocated that the existing evidence is sufficient for the state to act now and determine the cost of fully funding public education and how it will fund that cost.

Attorney Thomas Ahearne who argued on behalf of NEWS reinforced the importance of moving forward; telling the judge it has been three decades since the court ruled on the definition of basic education.

Judge Kallas acknowledged the strong and “unique” language in Washington’s constitution and its duty to amply fund public education, and she agreed there were many undisputed facts in the case. But, she countered by saying numerous material facts were in dispute and requested the case move to the trial phase, thus denying the summary judgment motion.

While legal action is always a last resort, history unfortunately has proven that lawsuits are one of the few effective ways to move the state to make constitutionally required improvements in our education system.