Category: BLOG

Aaron Moreau-Cook, Candidate for Representative for the House in the 1st LD

"Fully Fund Education – We need an honest plan to increase revenues to pay for education, without impacting other social services, to meet the McCleary Supreme Court ruling of 2012. Investing in education today means that Washington will have a thriving middle class for decades to come."

http://mltnews.com/election-watch-2016-candidate-qa-state-rep-district-1-pos-2/

Representative Luis Moscoso, Candidate for Senate in the 1^st LD

“The Legislature must end reliance on local levies to pay teachers. That’s the final goal we must reach in to keep our promise of fully funding education.”

http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/luis-moscoso/legislative-update-from-rep-moscoso-education-transportation/

Representative Derek Stanford, 1^st LD  

“The Supreme Court has made it clear: We need to make education a higher priority in our state budget. I’ve worked to keep our commitment to our public schools by supporting early learning, supporting local control of our schools, simplifying testing, while recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers. I am excited to stay on the front lines supporting excellent public schools.”

http://derekstanford.com/?page_id=138

Shelley Kloba, Candidate for the House in the 1^st LD

“People want great schools because they know education is the key to our prosperity. We have defined basic education and we know what it costs. Now we have to make the investments that pay off in the bright futures of our children.”

http://www.heraldnet.com/news/education-economy-top-issues-for-1st-district-candidates/

Amy Pivetta-Hoffman, Candidate for the House in the 2^nd LD

“We need to fully-fund basic k-12 education and we need a plan to fix our over crowded local schools and classrooms.”

-Literature produced by Friends to Elect Amy Pivetta Hoffman

Senator Andy Billig, 3^rd LD
Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, said the action by the end of the 2017 legislative session is "key" because "it keeps our promises to Washington's one million school children and has the best chance of getting us out of contempt of court."

http://www.kentreporter.com/news/369000591.html

"The court gave us a clear to-do list. It identified several key areas that need additional funding: reducing class sizes for grades K-3, implementing all-day kindergarten statewide, and paying for classroom materials, supplies, and operating and transportation costs. But if we want to fulfill our obligation to provide for our children’s education, we have to do more than just pay for smaller class sizes and more textbooks."

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/apr/20/children-need-holistic-plan/

Representative Tim Ormsby, 3^rd LD

“We’ve got to get our budget priorities straightened out because we’ve got a lot of pressures on the budget related to our obligations to meet our constitutional responsibilities for funding education as our paramount duty.”

"Our paramount duty is ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to learn."

http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/values/

Senator Mark Mullet, 5^th LD

"The Supreme Court has called for the Legislature to drastically reform the way our schools are funded, especially in regard to reliance on local levies. I firmly believe that local levies are a crucial and important part of how we fund our schools. If a local community wants to put more money into its schools, it should have the right to do so and the state shouldn’t stand in its way.  Voters in the 5th District have consistently approved local school levies. As a result, we have some of the best teachers in the state, outstanding graduation rates and state-of-the-art facilities. Let’s get creative and find a way to make local levies a part of the solution, not a part of the problem."

http://sdc.wastateleg.org/mullet/2016/02/03/e-news-make-local-levies-a-part-of-the-solution/

Representative Chad Magendanz, candidate for Senate in the 5^th LD

"After years of failing to fulfill that duty, the state Supreme Court, in its McCleary decision, called the Legislature to account and ordered us to fully fund K-12 education by 2018.   Complying with McCleary is a daunting task, but also a great opportunity.... It is our sincere hope that the state Senate will join us in passing this bill so we can keep up a steady momentum on our paramount duty: education."

Bellevue Reporter Op-Ed dated 3/6/2014 by Reps. Tana Senn & Chad Magendanz.

Darcy Burner, Candidate for the House in the 5^th LD

“I support expanding access to high quality early childhood education, smaller class sizes, better pay for teachers, and more support for college or vocational training. We need to fully fund education in Washington. The fact that the state legislature is now in contempt for its failure to do so is shameful. Let's put children first and fully fund our schools.”

http://www.darcyburner.com/issues

Angela Homola, Candidate for the Senate in the 10^th LD

“I will commit to supporting legislation that moves our state toward a robust, fair and affective educational system; legislation that secures funding by closing tax loopholes. We must stop kicking the can down the road. “

http://www.angieforpeople.com/angie-homola-campaign-news

Representative Norma Smith, 10^th LD

“Every student deserves the opportunity to have a quality education and to be prepared for success. The Washington state constitution is clear; providing for the basic education of all children within our borders is the paramount duty of the legislature in the budgeting process. For far too long, budget leaders in Olympia put education on the chopping block first, when it is clear that adequately funding education should be priority number one.”

http://votenormasmith.com/issues/education/

Senator Bob Hasagawa, 11^th LD

“Among other things, Superintendent Dorn points out that the budget’s $955 million increase in education funds is only about two-thirds of the $1.4 billion that is actually needed to fully fund education for the biennium. What’s more, the budget once again punted on funding voter-approved initiatives to lower class sizes and increase teacher pay; if Republicans had honored the will of the people and covered those expenses, that cost would have reduced the overall increase in funds available to satisfy the McCleary requirements to just $500 million. In other words, the teachers themselves are self-funding a large portion of the additional money we’re putting into basic education.”

http://bobhasegawa.com/funding-education/

Tim Probst, candidate for the Senate in the 17th LD.

"It is our paramount duty to fully fund education!"

"Invest in education"

https://www.facebook.com/ElectTimProbst/?fref=ts 

Representative Ann Rivers, 18^th LD

“Education is the paramount duty of state government. Every problem we face from crime, the economy, jobs, healthcare, even the environment, can be improved by a properly funded and professional public education system."

And…

"Some in Olympia would like to leverage funding for schools with new taxes. But holding back on funding education unless there are massive tax increases is not only bad for education, it’s unconstitutional. Kids deserve our first dollar, not budgetary leftovers.”

http://annrivers.com/issues/

Kathy Gillespie, Candidate for the House in the 18^th LD

“Fully fund basic education and end use of local school taxes to pay Olympia's bills.”

http://www.electkathygillespie.com

Teresa Purcell, Candidate for the House in the 19^th LD

“Access to excellent public education has been a great equalizer for people from all walks of life. If an individual works hard, for decades they have been able to create and access opportunity for a brighter future. We are at a moment in time where that promise is not being kept for students throughout our state, and especially in our small towns and rural communities. We must restore that promise. I am a proud graduate of Longview Public Schools, along with my 8 brothers and sisters. When I was in school here, Washington’s school system used to be the envy of the nation, but decades of inaction have left us with a situation where the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that the State Legislature is not meeting its “paramount duty” of properly funding education, holding the Legislature in Contempt of Court, and fining taxpayers over $29 million in the past year due to the Legislature’s inaction and failures.”

http://peopleforpurcell.com/issues/

Senator John Braun, 20^th LD

“Looking ahead at the upcoming legislative session, we have more work to do to make the right investments for our students and provide a more equitable solution for school funding by the 2018 deadline. As we continue to prioritize schools in our state there will be many issues to address, but funding is a major piece of the puzzle.”

http://johnbraun.src.wastateleg.org/sen-brauns-e-newsletter-october-6-2015/

Beth Doglio, Candidate for the House in the 22^nd LD

"We should substantially increase funding for K-12 as well as for higher education."

http://bethdoglio.nationbuilder.com/issues

Laurie Dolan, Candidate for the House in the 22^nd LD

“K-12 education is the paramount duty of Washington State, yet under the current regressive tax system, adequate funding is impossible.  If a state income tax is not politically feasible, we should focus on a capital gains tax which would impact only the most wealthy.  Although the Democrats in the Washington Legislature have written these proposals, they have never been passed.  We must fund education, but not on the backs of teachers, state workers, seniors, and vulnerable citizens. A statewide systemic effort to educate voters on the necessity for a new funding stream for education is urgently needed.”

http://friendsoflauriedolan.com

Representative Sam Hunt, Candidate for Senate in the 22^nd LD

“The Washington State Constitution says, “It is the paramount duty of 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.””

“The State Supreme Court has reaffirmed this provision in its McCleary decision that states the Legislature is not meeting its constitutional duty.  The Legislature has until 2018 to fulfill this mandate.  As a Senator, I will advocate for legislative actions to adequately address this funding crisis.  That includes being willing to vote for additional taxes.”

“Addressing the funding issue creates a steep hill to climb.  It will take at least $3 billion new dollars.  I am not willing to see the rest of state government suffer huge cuts in order to meet our commitment to K-12 education.”

http://www.samhunt.net/issues

Senator Christine Rolfes, 23^rd LD

"We need to make sure that all children, across the state, are getting the quality education that our state constitution mandates," said Rolfes. "As a member of these committees, I look forward to working with my colleagues to identify and fund proven, sustainable solutions for improving achievement for all students."

http://sdc.wastateleg.org/rolfes/2013/08/01/rolfes-named-to-select-education-committees/

Representative Kevin Van de Wege, Candidate for Senate in the 24^th LD

“We must meet our constitutional duty to fully fund public education. For too long, the legislature has debated how to solve this problem and Senate Republicans have dragged out that debate. My wife is a high school teacher here in Sequim and as the father of two children in our public schools, I know first-hand the time to act is now. We need to work together to solve our funding crisis and put an end to partisan games. I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find common ground and move the Senate toward a solution that works for our kids.”

http://kevinvandewege.nationbuilder.com/issues

Representative Steve Theringer, 24^th LD

“I am not a constitutional lawyer, so I can’t speak to the whether or not the State Supreme Court should have found the Legislature in contempt of court for not amply funding education, but I do think the State needs to increase the amount of funding we are providing for education. If the other Washington would pass the Main Street Fairness Act, closing the sales tax exemption on internet sales, not only would it generate $450 million for the State of Washington a year, but it would also help out our struggling local brick and mortar stores. Other revenue options: a levy swap, where the State assumes local property taxes. Enacting an excise tax on capital gains; we are one of eight states that does not have one. Expanding the B&O tax on a broader range of services.”

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/qa-24th-district-steve-tharinger-and-thomas-greisamer

Jamie Smith, Candidate for the House in the 25^th LD

“Our state faces tough choices in the near future. Our public schools desperately need support to provide the best education to our children.”

https://www.votejamiesmith.com

Michelle Chatterton, Candidate for the House in the 25^th LD           

“We’re never going to fully-fund our schools or build the communities we want to live in if we keep sending the same career politicians back to Olympia. We need legislators willing to break from the mistakes of the past and make the tough choices on K-12 education funding. We need leaders in Olympia who understand that every family deserves a fair shot at a decent life, not just a lucky few.”

http://www.michellechatterton.org/announcement

Larry Seaquist, Candidate for the House in the 26^th LD

“Up against a Court deadline, being fined $100,000 a day, the Legislature hasn’t done its homework, hasn’t even agreed to a credible plan. Larry lays out a detailed, step-by-step strategy for fully funding the complete system of public education our state must have in this high skills, high competition world.”

http://www.larryseaquist.com/apple-action-agenda/

Senator Jeannie Darnielle, 27^th LD

“PRIORITIZING EDUCATION- As a mother I know how critical our public schools are for preparing our children for the future. Fully funding education is always a priority of mine and especially following the McCleary decision it will be important that our school districts receive the funding they need to be successful.”

http://arcwa.org/resources/Jeannie_Darneille_D_27.pdf

Representative Laurie Jenkins, 27^th LD

"I believe that we need a tax system that is fair, adequate and stable."

"As a PTA mom, I am dedicated to investing in our K-12 schools too. Even during the tough economy, our highest priority must be to provide educational excellence and opportunity for every child.”

http://www.lauriejinkins.com/issues

Marisa Peloquin, Candidate for the House in the 28^th LD

“Like so many of you, I don't understand why the legislature has taken so long to fully fund our schools. I have been active in my PTA for years and believe our public schools need to be the top priority in our state budget. We have work to do to increase the graduation rate and ensure every student has the great teachers and quality schools that they deserve.”

http://www.marisaforsenate.org/issues

Representative Christine Kilduff, 28^th LD

“As your state representative my pledge to you is this:  I will work tirelessly to make sure our state legislature is accountable to the people they represent, not just the wealthy or well-connected few.

That means I will fight every day so that:

Our children, who deserve to attend fully and fairly funded public schools, get an outstanding education that outfits them to compete in the global economy.”

http://christinekilduff.com/pages/89

Michael Pelicotti, Candidate for the House in the 30^th LD

“Our children are not getting the support they need from Olympia. Legislators are currently being held in contempt by our State Supreme Court for failing to adequately fund our schools. This is unacceptable. Quality education is a right, and is necessary for the future development of our region. Mike will advocate for the funding of schools in our communities to be the paramount duty of the legislature.”

http://www.electmikep.com/read-me/

Kristine Reeves, Candidate for the House in the 30^th LD

“I want to be part of the solution that ensures that the same excellent education I received growing up and going through the public school system will be there for my children when they reach the age for school. This includes fully funding our K-12 system in accordance with McCleary - this will be achieved by a multitude of methods including closing corporate loopholes and holding corporations fiscally accountable when they take advantage of tax breaks. Funding itself, however, will not complete my vision for all children in our state. We also need to address youth homelessness, lifting the levy lid, and provide more support and ongoing development for our teachers.”

https://www.washingtonea.org/ourvoice/2016-elections/kristine-reeves/

Representative Mia Gregerson, 33^rd LD

“Even in a short session - we support increasing Funding Education”

https://twitter.com/miagregerson33/status/701948403442282497

Representative Tina Orwall, 33^rd LD

“From early learning to secondary education, Tina remains committed to providing access to a quality education for all. Understanding the importance of early learning on child development, she works hard to promote policies that protect and expand early learning programs. Tina went to Olympia to fully fund education and has advocated for budgets that retain funding for early learning, K-12 and higher education.”

http://www.electtinaorwall.com/issues/

Representative Eileen Cody, 34th LD

“Fulfilling our paramount duty to the one million school kids in Washington is about more than fully funding schools. We must have the right policies in place that ensure all students have the opportunity to learn and succeed. This budget proposal would increase beginning teacher salaries, expand all-day kindergarten and reduce K-3 class sizes.”

http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/eileen-cody/final-week-of-session/

Representative Joe Fitzgibbons, 34^th LD

“The Washington State Constitution tells us that funding K-12 education is the state’s “paramount duty.” And more than just a legal obligation to fund public schools, we have a moral obligation to make sure that all kids are provided the opportunity to learn and succeed. In too many cases, the color of a student’s skin or their zip code determines what opportunities are available. This is not right and it does not build a strong foundation for Washington’s kids to succeed.”

http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/joe-fitzgibbon/what-kind-of-washington-do-we-want-to-live-in/

Irene Bowling, Candidate for the House in the 35^th LD

“As a mother of 3 children and a life-long educator, Irene Bowling knows that fully funding our schools has to be a top priority.”

https://irenebowling.com/irenes-priorities/

Craig Patti, Candidate for the House in the 35^th LD

“I believe it is past time to address school funding issues mandated by the Supreme Court; why wait until the last-minute? We can no longer kick the can down the road. I’ll make education funding my highest priority, from early childhood through higher education, while insisting on high academic standards that prepare kids with the skills they need to be successful in our new economy. We also need to begin planning for the post-McCleary era to ensure that Washington does not fall behind again.”

https://craigpatti.com/issues/

Senator Reuven Carlyle, 36^th LD

“The paramount duty has not been fulfilled. Many factors have contributed to the disjointed, ineffective tax and funding structure we have today, a structure that virtually guarantees inequitable access and outcomes. Unfortunately, longstanding political and social constructs bar meaningful progress. Nothing, over 40 years of legal battles where the State has been consistently been told to address the inadequate and inequitable system, has really changed.

We are so much more as a state than what we’ve become.

There are, in fact, other models that might deliver on the Paramount Duty in a more fulsome way than our top-down, centralized approach.”

https://reuvencarlyle36.com/2015/02/12/rethinking-public-school-funding-back-to-a-new-future/

Representative Noel Frame, 36^th LD

“I'm tackling the biggest challenge Washington state has ever faced: fixing our regressive and inequitable tax structure. I’ve been working to fix our broken school funding system since its negative effects hit me personally as a high school student.”

http://www.noelframe.com/issues/

Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, 37^th LD

“Every child in Washington state is guaranteed the right to an equitable education under our state constitution,” said Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos (D-Seattle), chair of the House Education Committee.

“One size in education does not fit all,” said Santos. “It does not work for all students. Unfortunately, right now the system is designed with this ‘one size fits all’ approach. No matter what their needs, our paramount duty as a legislature is to meet students where they are.”

http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/sharon-tomiko-santos/house-sends-educational-opportunity-gap-bill-to-governors-desk/

Representative Eric Pettigrew, 37^th LD

“The opportunity to get a great education shouldn't depend on the color of your skin or the zip code you are born into. In addition to supporting closing the opportunity gap and fully funding K-12 education, I am making sure that students in our local communities get equal access to education.”

http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/eric-pettigrew/2016-legislative-session-report-to-the-37th-district/

Representative Mike Sells, 38^th LD

“With a teaching background in both elementary and secondary education with the Everett School District from 1967 to 1998, Mike knows the importance of funding education. As President of the Everett Education Association from 1981 to 1998, he knows how important a good education is, and he has worked to get teachers the tools they need to deliver the kind of education that will help children succeed.”

http://www.mikesells.net/index.html

Representative Kristine Lytton, 40^th LD

"It is our responsibility to adequately, accurately and amply fund education."

"The plan we are looking at is to create more data in our districts to determine how much in levy money is being spent."

"All options have to be on the table. Realizing it's a difficult question as to where that revenue is going to come from... these will be difficult political decisions."

https://researchcouncil.org/2015/11/19/policy-today-podcast-common-ground-edition-state-rep-kristine-lytton

Lisa Wellman, Candidate for the Senate in the 41^st LD

“I'll put students first and ensure every child can get a great education. I understand that public education is our state's top priority and that great schools lead to an economy that works for all of us.”

Literature paid for by Friends of Lisa Wellman

Thomas Ptichford, Candidate for the House in the 43^rd LD

“Healthy communities begin with education. We must meet our constitutional obligation to fully fund basic education. The only way to do this is by building support around meaningful revenue reform. This can happen, but it will require both conducting a public education campaign and reaching across the aisle to come together to be successful.”

http://www.thomaspitchford.com/issues

Daniel Shih, Candidate for the House in the 43^rd LD

“As your representative, I will work to properly fund public K–12 education, as required by the state Supreme Court decision in McCleary. The legislature’s failure to do so threatens to have a lasting impact on an entire generation of children who depend on public schools for a basic education. The state must not put this off any longer.”

http://www.danshih.com/issues/

John Lovick, Candidate for the House in the 44^th LD

“As Washington looks to fully fund the K-12 public school system, we must be innovative and creative to ensure that our kids are getting a great education and that our teachers are able to earn a fair wage for a fair day’s work. With a limited General Fund, this is not going to be a straightforward or easy process. However, I believe the McCleary ruling was a wake-up call for all of us. We must invest in our education system not only on the State level, but also find a way to ensure that local issues and control are being addressed to create the best public school system our children deserve.

Finding $9.5 billion to completely address the budget shortfall our schools face is going to be difficult, but I am ready to put in the hard work to buckle down and get things done. I believe we must be creative and innovative to ensure we find every penny we can to address McCleary.”

https://www.washingtonea.org/ourvoice/2016-elections/john-lovick/

Representative Rodger Goodman, 45^th LD

“We urgently need to provide FULL funding for our public schools, but we have fallen short. We now face a statewide teacher shortage and classroom shortage – we can wait no longer to hire and reward our dedicated teachers and to build new schools.”

http://rogergoodman.org

Representative Larry Springer, 45^th LD

“Children are our most precious resource. As a former teacher, I’ve supported pay raises for teachers and funding to lower class sizes. I’ll make sure we invest in our schools and teachers—not school bureaucracy—and assure that every student that wants to attend college in Washington has access to the school of their choice.”

http://www.larryspringer.org/issues.html/

Representative Pat Sullivan, 47^th LD

“As a father, coach, and PTA volunteer, I am deeply committed to improving our schools. That's why I sponsored and passed the Education Funding Reform Bill that simplifies budgeting, increases transparency and accountability, improves transportation, and invests additional dollars in our schools. I also passed legislation that gets tough with failing schools, giving kids a better opportunity to succeed.”

http://votepatsullivan.com/pages/4/Issues

Representative Jessyn Ferrel, 46^th LD

“I believe we need to provide adequate resources for all our schools and ensure that every child is healthy, safe, and prepared when he or she comes to school. The good news is that with the State Supreme Court McCleary decision there is a mandate in place to develop solutions.”

//horsesass.org/candidate-answers-46th-legislative-district-jessyn-farrell/

Senator David Frockt, 46^th LD

“We are billions of dollars away from adequately funding the smaller class sizes, all-day kindergarten, operating costs like technology and textbooks, teacher salaries and everything else that constitute a “basic education” as defined by the Legislature. In 2014, David co-sponsored legislation that would have created a formal plan to implement the basic education program by 2018. The bill proposed closing about $100 million in unproductive tax loopholes and putting the money into smaller class sizes and into the voter-approved state cost-of-living salary adjustment that teachers have gone without for too many years. Lowering class size in the early grades, providing all-day kindergarten and early learning, closing the achievement gap, providing adequate compensation to our educators, and making our local districts less reliant on local levies for basic educational expenses, will require leaders to be open to a grand compromise that encompasses both budgeting reform, tax reform and new revenues. David continues to work fully fund public education. “

http://www.davidfrockt.org/why-im-serving/to-champion-our-public-schools-and-universities/

Representative Gerry Pollet, 46^th LD

“Funding education is the single most important investment we can make in our state’s future. Gerry has been organizing for lower class sizes and to address the severe overcrowding in our local schools since 2007; and, has been active with PTSA and education for many years. Gerry’s a leader in the Legislature to provide the revenue we need to fund our schools and make our tax system more fair so our children’s constitutional rights to education aren’t put on hold for another generation.”

http://gerrypollet.com/home/education/

WPD does not endorse candidates. We are sharing this as a nonpartisan informational project.

1. What do you believe is currently underfunded/unfunded in Washington's K-12 basic education?

Chris Reykdal:

Washington State is currently underfunding basic education services, programs, and formulas – class size obligations, special education, educator compensation, professional development (for ALL school employees), and even capital facilities. We are losing art, music, CTE, and other vital classes and programs in part because we are not adequately funding basic education. Beyond the core programs and services, HOW we are funding our schools is also causing inequities and chronic underfunding. At the crux of the McCleary case is the over-reliance of local levies to pay for basic education. The court didn’t say we couldn’t have local levies, they have said that those core basic educational programs and services should not be subject to a local levy that may or may not pass and even when they do pass, they create huge differences in how much is raised per child. We are failing on both adequacy of resources and equity of resources.

Erin Jones:

So many things are un/derfunded. The Washington state constitution requires that education be "amply" funded, not "barely" funded. First priority - the state MUST pick up the full cost of teacher compensation, so districts do not have to rely on levies. Basic Education includes Special Education and Highly-capable services, which are also underfunded in most districts. Often school districts are "robbing Peter to pay Paul" - taking money from their Transportation budget or other buckets of money to fund the necessities. The state has passed initiatives that require smaller class sizes and full-day kindergarten, but these things were not fully funded. The state must add money to the capital budget to allow districts to build new physical structures in order to accommodate the increased number of classrooms required. I do not believe we are magically going to solve this in '17. See more at http://www.erinjones2016.org/funding.

Ron Higgins:

Civics. As a substitute teacher, I have taught thousands of students. They typically don't know what the words "pledge," "allegiance," and "republic" mean, although they recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day; nor do they know the principles of our foundational documents (US Constitution and Declaration of Independence), so they don't know the purpose of government; the source of our rights; what our rights are; where our rights are listed; what makes laws valid; the liberty inherent in a free market, which does not limit us to one style of shoes or one model of car; that freedom is competitive and voluntary, while socialism is monopolistic and coercive, and thus tyrannical; and that to maintain freedom, we individually and collectively must avoid debt while providing for ourselves, our families, and the needy. Thus, students are often ill prepared to function in our Constitutional Republic and free enterprise economy.

2. What would you recommend the Legislature do to meet the McCleary Decision in fully funding education – would you advocate for new revenue source(s) and what would you recommend? Or would you advocate scaling back how to define basic education, and how?

Chris Reykdal:

It is neither morally acceptable or even legal at this point to try and redefine basic education as a tactic for reducing the financial obligation. The court has made it clear that only a substantial educational purpose can be used to scale back basic education, not the expediency of saving money.

We will need new revenue to fully fund basic education! Though we are a successful state economically, we now dedicate less than 5% of our aggregate income back into our vital public services. We were at 7% just thirty years ago. Every loss of 1% has cost us about $3 billion per year in state resources. If we had simply frozen the ratio of public sector spending to total aggregate income thirty years ago, we would have $6 billion more per year for vital services. K-12 education is nearly 50% of the State General Fund, so we are effectively starving our schools of $3 billion per year.

With $6 billion per biennium, we could fully fund basic education; substantially increase compensation for teachers and support staff; make enormous new investments in early childhood education; and finally invest substantially in school construction at the state level.

At a minimum, we need a capital gains tax to capture passive income. Less than 2% of Washingtonians would pay it and 41 other states utilize this revenue source. Levy reform will likely be part of the solution also, but not an overly simplistic revenue-neutral swap or swipe. The state has property tax capacity and we simply cannot have our low-income communities paying 3x and 4x the property tax rates of our wealthier communities. The State needs to use much of its existing capacity while still leaving local communities the ability to raise money for local programs, services, and benefits BEYOND basic education.

Erin Jones:  

We cannot expect Finland results without Finland investment. Although we talk about the funding that goes directly into Basic Education, the reality is that European countries are also making greater investments in health and human services, which have implications for how children are able to experience/benefit from school. With that being said, we cannot afford to take money from social services or transportation or fire/police to pay for education. Our citizens need to be protected on every front. Washington state will need to find new revenue sources. Many are reluctant to add taxes, but I would suggest that we can' they "something for nothing." I believe there are 3 options that must be considered at this time - a capital gains tax, a progressive income tax, and a creative approach to utilizing our natural resources. Funding of education is the Paramount Duty of the State - this means the VERY FIRST duty, but the requirement is also that education be AMPLY funded, which means more than just the bare minimum. Legally, Basic Education includes the following: General Apportionment, Special education, Vocational education, the Learning Assistance Program, Pupil Transportation, and Juvenile Detention Center and State Institution Education programs. However, there are additional elements that must be addressed to "amply" fund our system - capital dollars and compensation to fulfill the smaller class size initiative, resources to ensure all districts are able to fund all-day kindergarten, and paid staff training days to ensure both certificated and classified staff have access to quality instruction and support. We must commit to ensuring equitable, not equal funding. We must take into consideration the different needs of different communities - the ability of certain districts to pass levies and bonds in contrast to other districts that are completely unable. This absolutely must be addressed.

Ron Higgins: 

It is important that our state live within its budget.  I would never ask for a state income or capital gains tax in order to provide additional funds.  If education has to be scaled back to just basic education in order to stay within budget, then officials and educators must make the tough choices.  Basic education consists of English communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), computation (arithmetic, basic algebra and geometry, and logic), and civics (history, geography, economics, science, art, music, and the principles of the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution). These are the basic skills that men and women need to function in our Constitutional Republic and free enterprise economy, and provide students the skills that they need to learn on their own. Courses beyond these are desirable, but not essential. Schools cannot anticipate all of the skills that students will need, but they can provide the skills necessary for students to continue learning on their own.  Schooling ends, but learning never should.

Some question the Constitutionality of the McCleary decision, since the Legislature is subordinate to the voters, not to the Courts; the Legislature and the Courts are separate and co-equal branches of government.  Education remains “the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders,” and the court can identify when, in the opinion of the court, the state is not fulfilling its duty, and can recommend remedies, but the voters are the ones to ensure that the Legislature provides the necessary resources, since the Legislators are subservient to the voters, not to the courts.

Better management of state lands would provide additional revenue for schools from timber sales, at the same time preventing forest fires and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

3. What inequities do you believe there are in k-12 education? Give 2 solutions you would implement under the authority of OSPI, if elected.

Chris Reykdal: 

There are numerous inequities in K-12 not the least of which is funding per district, and the lack of resources to address the achievement gap. Money is following formulas where it should be following needs – whether it is special education, communities facing disparate impacts, or districts struggling to recruit and retain educators. There are several solutions:

Data, research, and best practices dissemination: OSPI should be a leader in providing districts with the data, research, best practices, and assistance necessary to improve student achievement.

Allocations and apportionment: OSPI has some discretion in allocations. The allocation process should be reviewed through an equity lens to determine where we can provide more resources based on need - while still maintaining local flexibility to determine how best to provide services.

We can truly address inequities if we re-examine the organization’s data, support, and allocation practices through an equity lens. This requires an experienced executive.

Erin Jones:

Greatest inequity: FUNDING - how we fund schools in this country using property taxes. In WA our dependence on levies to fully fund schools. There will always be "haves" and "have-nots" with this model. There are many other inequities - allocation of staff to buildings, opportunities for training and technical assistance, which students have access to the arts and special programs (electives, advanced programs, CTE courses), technology, buildings, materials, expectations, post-secondary pathways. Inequity abounds in education. I am aware that I can't "fix" all of the inequities in public education, but I do have a plan to begin to address inequity. #1: I will be a champion for addressing the brokenness of our funding model both at the federal and state levels. #2: I will be an advocate for greater intentionality about staffing - building allocations not based on student numbers but on building/community needs.

Ron Higgins:

Inequities: learning environment and treatment of boys (do the internet search: War on Boys).

Having taught in both public and charter schools in inner city Los Angeles, inner city public schools were more chaotic and did not hold students accountable for disruptive behavior.  Hold disruptive students accountable; separate them from diligent students.  Set high academic and behavior standards, help and encourage students to adhere to these standards, and hold them accountable.

Boys are generally more active than girls and have a harder time sitting still in the sedentary environment of a school; this is especially evident in middle school.  Since boy’s active nature can be annoying, boys often are given medication to make them docile; the long-term adverse effects of this drugging of our youth is unknown.  Avoid drug use; accept that boys are more active and adjust lessons accordingly.  Don’t mischaracterize active as disruptive.

4. How will you work with the Governor and the Legislature to achieve a budget and pass necessary polices for education as the State Superintendent for Public Instruction?

Chris Reykdal:

 Just as a local superintendent plays a critical role in building budget recommendations to local boards, the SPI should help the Governor and the Legislature initiate their budget processes with a fully funded basic education plan. The SPI should be an education finance leader who helps decision makers to truly understand what school districts and educators need to be successful. This requires transitioning OSPI from an agency heavily focused on compliance and regulation to one that is focused on building policy and budget recommendations informed by local districts, citizens, and genuine education policy research.

It is time to elect an education finance, policy, and executive leader who can manage $9 billion and more than 400 employees. We wouldn’t elect an attorney general who isn’t an attorney, so let’s not elect an SPI who doesn’t have a graduate degree and 20 years in public sector management, budget, finance, and education policy.

Erin Jones:

We didn't get to this place in just a decade. Those currently in office did not create this problem. Just as I cannot "fix" the issues in schools alone as the state education executive, the Governor and the Legislature cannot achieve a budget alone. My goal is to leverage my relationships with school leaders and families across the state to tell the stories from the ground about the implications of lack of funding. I also hope to galvanize community leaders from both parties to work with constituents to earn support for new sources of revenue. The people of Washington state are going to need to speak up and encourage state leaders to take action, let state leaders know they are standing alongside them, ready for change, ready to do the right thing for children.

Ron Higgins:

I have substitute taught in 7 school districts in Washington, in large and small schools, urban and rural settings, in high poverty/high minority/migrant areas, and in public and charter schools in the inner city of Los Angeles, nearly every subject, including bi-lingual and special education, from pre-K through 12th grade, including alternative schools, vocational schools, the juvenile justice center, and have worked as a school bus driver. Use my experience in education to inform the governor and legislature of the challenges faced by educators and the need to give them adequate resources to prepare our posterity to become productive men and women in our Constitutional Republic and free enterprise economy.  Encourage the governor and legislature to stay within budget, not institute an income or capital gains tax, and remember what Thomas Jefferson said: a people can’t be both ignorant and free.