Dorn statement on Supreme Court order

August 13 the Washington state Supreme Court ordered that the state pay $100,000 a day until it produces a plan that will fully fund basic education by 2018. Below is a statement from State Superintendent Randy Dorn on the Court’s action.

OLYMPIA — August 13, 2015 — I am very pleased by the State Supreme Court’s order today. A $100,000 a day penalty shows that the Court has made this a priority and that the Legislature can’t keep “kicking the can” on education funding.

In September, I argued that the Legislature should be given one last chance – the 2015 session – to make significant progress toward full funding of basic education.

As the Court wrote today, the Legislature “has repeatedly failed to do so.” The Court wrote that our state constitution:

imposes only one “paramount duty” upon the state: “to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex. (Article IX, Section 1)

In April, I unveiled a plan for full funding. It’s based on existing law – House bills 2261 and 2776. In my opinion, it represents the best way for us to achieve full funding and, in the words of our state constitution, to make “ample provision” for a “uniform system” of education to all students.

I agree with the Court and urge Gov. Jay Inslee to call a special session of the Legislature so that it can produce a plan for full funding.

I also urge every legislator to do what he/she can to fully understand McCleary v. Washington, as well as House bills 2261 and 2776. On behalf of the state’s 1.1 million students, I’m heartened that the Supreme Court has taken this step. I believe that this will force significant progress to be made.