Three of Washington’s largest school districts are taking legal action to protect the right of every child to a fully funded public education. The Lake Washington, Tacoma and Yakima school districts each adopted resolutions in October and November directing staff to assemble a lawsuit that alleges the state is violating its constitutional duty to fund basic education.

Local districts cite constitutional “paramount duty”

Lake Washington Superintendent Jon Holmen explained to parents that the district has been forced to “bridge significant funding gaps” year after year, relying on local levy dollars to cover services that the state constitution defines as a “paramount duty.” He wrote that local levy support “cannot replace the state’s constitutional obligation to fund basic education” for the more than 74,000 students served by the three districts.

The resolutions allege that Washington is failing to meet the mandatory, affirmative duty in the state constitution to fully fund a program of basic education for all children residing in the state. This argument mirrors the 2012 McCleary decision, in which the Washington Supreme Court held that the state had violated the same constitutional duty and ordered it to provide ample funding.

History of the McCleary case and its relevance today

After the McCleary ruling, the court issued a contempt order in 2014 and even imposed a $100,000‑per‑day fine on the state for non‑compliance. By 2018 the court found the state in compliance, but districts say rising costs for transportation, utilities and insurance, combined with declining enrollment, have eroded that progress.

Today, eleven districts are under binding financial oversight, and many rely heavily on local levies that have failed to keep pace with growing expenses. Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal has warned for years that another McCleary‑style case could arise if the funding gap persists.

State officials acknowledge the funding challenges

OSPI chief strategy officer Katy Payne said the districts’ lawsuit reflects a long‑standing alarm about underfunding. “While litigation is never a first choice, OSPI and school districts have been sounding the alarm for several years,” Payne said. She noted that the Legislature has made “slight improvements,” but districts still spend roughly $800 million each year in local and federal funds to meet the state’s obligation.

Payne added that the lack of adequate state funding has forced districts to lay off staff, increase class sizes and, in some cases, consider school closures. She urged the governor and Legislature to close the funding gap during the current legislative session.

What this means for families and communities

For parents, teachers and local leaders, the lawsuit represents a direct effort to safeguard the quality of education without shifting the burden onto taxpayers already supporting schools through local levies. By holding the state accountable to its constitutional promise, the districts hope to secure stable funding that allows classrooms to remain appropriately staffed and schools to stay open.

The legal move also underscores the importance of parental involvement in education policy. As the districts prepare their case, community members are encouraged to stay informed and voice support for fully funded schools that honor the constitutional commitment to every child’s education.

Next steps

The districts have not disclosed a filing date for the lawsuit, but they emphasize that the decision was not made overnight. As the case develops, the state’s response and any legislative action will be closely watched by families, educators and taxpayers across Washington.

Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.