Legislators face diminished revenue, higher demands

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. — Washington State Constitution, Article IX, Education, Section 1 Preamble

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Voters must step up if we are to fulfill ‘paramount duty’ to children

Voters must step up if we are to fulfill ‘paramount duty’ to children

“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.” – Washington State Constitution What is “ample provision”? As our school systems stand today, sources of funding include levies and bond issues as well as funding by the Legislature – all derived primarily from property taxes.
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

It is sad to see the “vote no” signs going up. It is sad to think about the misperceptions and reactionary attitudes that bring forth such signs.
K-12: It's not just about the money

K-12: It's not just about the money

After a few weeks to mull it over, we admit we’re a bit perplexed by the State Supreme Court’s Jan. 5 ruling in McCleary v. State of Washington. In its 7-2 opinion, the court said the state has failed in its constitutional duty to “make ample provision for basic education of all children in Washington.”
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Vote ‘yes’ for school district replacement levy For 48 years we have proudly voted for Peninsula School District levies and bond issues. Our vote on Feb. 14th will be no exception. We will vote to provide the children in our community with the best education possible, and that includes the best for our grandchildren at Voyager Elementary and Kopachuck Middle School. The reason passage of this Educational Programs and Operations Levy is so important is that it replaces the current levy set to expire. It provides about 22 percent of the costs of operating Peninsula School District on a day-to-day basis. The proposed levy will provide a continuation of funding for the next four years. Essential components like vital teaching staff, technology, textbook availability, athletics, arts and social studies curriculum, and critical building maintenance will be jeopardized if the levy fails. Peninsula School District rates as one of the best in the state. One way costs have been keep down is through the generosity
Olympia 2012: Many claim education funding not adequate

Olympia 2012: Many claim education funding not adequate

OLYMPIA -- A bill that requires the state to pass the K-12 education budget before all other budgets found support at a House committee hearing this week, but educators and parents worry the state does not have enough money to adequately fund education.

House Bill 2533, also called Fund Education First, tells lawmakers when to discuss education funding, not how -- or how much -- to fund education.

Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, told the Herald that he supports the bill, and education must be better funded at the state level.

Gerry Baldwin; Special to the Gateway

Published: 01/17/12 2:43 pm | Updated: 01/17/12 2:43 pm

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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. — Washington State Constitution, Article IX, Education, Section 1 Preamble

What is “ample provision?” As our school system stands today, sources of funding include levies and bond issues, as well as funding by the state Legislature derived primarily through property taxes.
Some interpret the language in the state constitution to mandate that the Legislature fully fund local schools. How far, though, does that extend? Does it reach to after-school activities, such as sports, drama and clubs? Does it include new buildings, improvements, renovations and maintenance? Does it, or should it, reach to a computer for every child, a musical instrument or sports equipment?

Our Legislature faces those issues alongside voter-initiative mandates, federal-law mandates and the constant demand for better schools, better teachers, better results and lower taxes.

The real issue in today’s recessionary times, though, is diminished revenue. How do we “make ample provision for education of all children” with fewer monetary resources?

The answer is clear. We must recognize that, as state Sen. Derek Kilmer has said, “Children are one-third of our population and 100 percent of our future.” We can make no investment with greater returns than the education of our children.

Please recognize that the Legislature cannot be all things to all people. Peninsula School District is facing a levy initiative that comes to a vote of the people on Feb. 14. This replacement levy for the one we already have is needed for:

* Twenty percent of salaries and benefits of all certificated staff, including teachers, counselors and specialists.

* Forty percent of salaries and benefits of all classified staff, including paraeducators, clerical and custodial support.

* Expanding half-day kindergarten to full-day kindergarten, four days per week.

* Eighty-five percent of all technology staff and equipment.

* One hundred percent of all capital maintenance projects, district-wide.

* Eighty percent of co-curricular and athletic costs.

* One hundred percent of health technicians at every school.

And supplemental funding for:

* School security and emergency preparedness.

* Textbooks and instructional materials.

* Professional development for all staff members.

* Equipment, including bus replacement.

Note that this is not a new initiative but a replacement for the soon-to-expire levy that already is in place. Our tax rates, already among the lowest of any school district in the state, change very little with its passage.

The stark reality is not a change in cost but a change in results. Without a continuing levy, our children will suffer the loss of one-fifth of what makes our school system the envy of others.

Please vote “yes” on the replacement school levy this Feb. 14.

Gerry Baldwin of Gig Harbor is a board member and mentor with Communities In Schools of Peninsula, http://peninsula.ciswa.org.

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