Ruling underscores school districts' need for levies

This editorial appears in the Feb. 8, 2010, Yakima Herald-Republic.

A judge's ruling Thursday that concludes the state has failed in its constitutional duty to fully fund basic education comes as no particular surprise. It also underscores another message that's worth repeating: Local school levies are vital.

The ruling by King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick confirms what leaders in Washington's public school system, from superintendents to PTA members, have realized for years -- that the state has shirked its responsibility to provide money for basic education and has forced school districts to rely too heavily on levies, donations and fundraisers.

"State funding is not ample, it is not stable, and it is not dependable," the judge wrote. "Local school districts continue to rely on local levies and other nonstate resources to supplement state funding for a basic program of education."

The shortcomings are pronounced and widespread. School districts in the Yakima Valley are required to foot much of the bill for such basics as bus transportation so students can actually be in classrooms to be taught.

The judge also ruled the state's constitutional duty extends beyond the basic requirements of reading, writing and arithmetic. What's required now is support for "broad educational opportunities needed in the contemporary setting to equip our children for their role as citizens and as potential competitors in today's market as well as in the market place of ideas."

That means preparing students to take part intelligently in our nation's democracy and to be prepared to enter college or the job market with adequate skills. What's not clear is a timetable
for ensuring full state support of basic education. Some speculate that may not occur until at least 2018.

So for now, levies still remain the glue that binds our state's school system. That's why it's important for patrons of the 21 school districts in Central Washington to mark their ballots. They are referred to as Maintenance & Operations levies, and their influences reach deep into the inner workings of public education. These current levies pay for such necessities as salaries, textbooks, extracurricular activities, roof reconstruction, field trips, music programs, computer upgrades, fuel and food services.

Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday to be counted.

And that's also an important part of the levy process -- to be counted. If you want your voice to be heard, now is the time to do just that. We urge a yes vote, but welcome those with differing views. However, we do not welcome those who complain but don't vote. That's shirking your responsibility in our democracy. Vote and be heard.

The judge in King County has been heard and his message is clear -- school levies do matter. Now it's our turn to do the same.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.