“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.
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 hard economic 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, D-Gig Harbor, 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.
Recognize that the Legislature cannot be all things to all people. Eight school districts in Pierce County – Carbonado, Dieringer, Orting, Clover Park, Peninsula, Franklin Pierce, Eatonville and Auburn – have levy initiatives coming up for a vote. Auburn School District also has a bond measure.
Ballots will arrive starting Jan. 27 and must be postmarked no later than Feb. 14.
State law allows levies of no more than four years duration, so most of these initiatives are replacements for expiring levies. These levies cover many areas not provided for in state funding. Things such as, in the Dieringer School District:
• Instructional materials and technology.
• Additional teaching and support staff.
• Special-needs student programs.
• Staff training and planning.
• Pupil transportation.
• Building maintenance and operations.
• Extracurricular activities.
In the Franklin Pierce School District:
• Modernizing every classroom to improve spaces for teaching and learning.
• Replacing old, obsolete and failing mechanical systems.
• Fixing overcrowding and middle school cafeterias.
And in the Orting district, levy monies provide approximately 20 percent of revenues for the district’s general fund budget and play a central role in the district’s mission to prepare all our students for college careers and life.
Other systems have similar needs. Without continuing levies, our Pierce County children will suffer the loss of up to 38 percent of what makes our school systems what they are.
That loss translates equally to losses in property values, as schools are always an important consideration in housing purchases. Further losses in property values equate to lower tax bases for schools, and we enter a downward spiral that hurts everyone, especially children.
We cannot afford to allow our schools to enter a race to the bottom; please vote “yes” on school levies Feb. 14.
Gerry Baldwin of Gig Harbor is a board member and mentor with Communities In Schools of Peninsula.
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