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CHARTER THIS!

• Instead of spending money on expensive experiments such as charter schools, we should be investing in proven solutions we know will improve the quality of all public schools - reducing class sizes and ensuring there is a well-qualified teacher in every classroom.
• Before it starts pouring millions of public tax dollars into charter schools, the state needs to fulfill its commitment to existing public schools by fully funding voter-approved initiatives to reduce class size and provide annual cost-of-living increases for teachers.
• Washington voters rejected two charter-school initiatives in the last eight years. The Legislature should not have passed a law that goes against the will of the people that was clearly expressed in two statewide elections.
• The state Legislature has a constitutional obligation to provide ample funding for public schools. This charter-school law weakens our existing schools by draining $35 million a year from them.

The official paperwork for the referendum to reject charter schools was filed March 29 with the Washington Secretary of State’s office in Olympia. It is Referendum 55.

The state Attorney General’s office is expected to write a ballot title and summary by April 5. The ballot will ask voters to accept or reject the new law authorizing charter schools in our state.

The coalition to reject charter schools likely will register with the Public Disclosure Commission before April 5. The coalition will include school employees, parents, school leaders and others who want to protect existing public schools. April 14 has been set as the tentative campaign kick-off and media event. To qualify for the November 2 general election ballot, referendum supporters will have to collect 98,867 valid signatures from registered Washington voters by June 9.

School employees who support this referendum will be asked to particpate in the signature drive in the coming weeks.

+3-1=+2 Washington State Constitution Article IX Education Section 1 Preamble

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.

After a levy failure in 1976, the Seattle School District sued the state alleging that the state was not meeting its constitutional duty to make ample provision for education. On January 14, 1977 Judge Doran issued a declaratory judgement finding that:

1. state funding was insufficient to fund a basic program of education; and
2. the legislature must define and fully fund a program of basic education

Subsequent decisions by Judge Doran in 1983 and 1988 expanded and clarified the state’s responsibility for basic education. These decisions became known as Doran I, II and III.

In light of severe cuts to the education budget by the state legislature over last two years, the Washington Education Association has decided to take action. At the WEA Representative Assembly held in Spokane last month, delegates approved a new business item instructing the organization to:

“Budget for and prepare to file with other stake-holder groups a lawsuit against the state of Washington for its failure to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within the borders as required under Article IX of the state constitution.”

Other stake holder groups that WEA will ask to join in a lawsuit include the League of Education Voters, the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) and the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA).

The potential cost of this lawsuit is $850,000. To help fund the lawsuit delegates approved a Constitution and By Laws Amendment for a $1.00 per month increase in dues for certificated members. However, a previously approved special assessment of $3.00 per month expires this year.

Thus, -3 +1= -2. The bottom line on special assessments to the WEA dues will be a reduction of $2.00 per month for 2004-05 and 2005-06.

League of Education Voters Files Initiative I-884

The League of Education Voters (the group who sponsored I-728) has filed an initiative to create the Education Trust Fund.

I-884 will fund:

• Reduced class sizes and full funding for I-728.
• Reinstating the I-732 COLA suspended by the legislature.
• More time and focused assistance for students who are not meeting standards.
• High quality preschool opportunities for 16,000 children who need them most.
• Expanded college and job training opportunities for 25,000 students at community, technical and 4-year colleges and universities.
• Expanded Promise Scholarships for college for the top 30% of high school graduating classes.

The Education Trust Fund will be funded with a 1% increase in the state sales tax from 6.5% to 7.5%.

For more information about I-884 visit: http://www.educationvoters.org

WEA Rep Assembly

If you get a chance, thank them for giving up a long Saturday to represent you and ask them what the experience was like. Thanks to all.

Central Valley Citizens for Education Fund

Retiring???

Were Your Parents Teachers?

Legislative successes were few from the recently completed session but there was one bit of good news for retirees. As a result of lobbying efforts by the WEA and WEA-Retired, Washington teachers who have been retired for at least twenty years and had a minimum of twenty-five years of service will now receive a minimum monthly benefit of $1000. This represents a nice raise for elderly retired teachers on a fixed income.

CALENDAR

• Monday, May 3 - Excellence Dessert - 6:30PM, CVHS Theater
• Tuesday, May 4 - CVEA Executive Board Meeting - 3:30PM
• Tuesday, May 11 - SEAT Meeting - 3:30PM, ESC
• Wednesday, May 12 - Eastern Washington UniServ - Council Meeting, 5:30PM
• Tuesday, May 18 - CVEA Rep Council Meeting - 4:00PM, Conley’s

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