Parents are banding together against teachers unions in Washington state to save charter schools.
In early September, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled the state’s charter school law unconstitutional. The nine charter schools there have enough funds to stay open for the rest of the school year. Most will not survive past then if the ruling isn’t changed.
Now, local charter school associations and state legislators have filed two separate motions to ask the court to reconsider its ruling, The 74 reports.
The bipartisan group of legislators argue the court’s ruling disproportionately harms low-income children. The Washington State Charter Association argues education dollars should be allowed to flow to schools that aren’t “common schools.” The legislators also claimed that they, not the courts, get to define the term “common schools,” and their definition includes charter schools.
Even advocates at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools admit reconsideration faces slim odds, but public opinion on the issue could help their cause.
The Washington State Supreme Court’s nine justices are all elected by the voters. Seven of the nine got the maximum legal campaign donation from the Washington Education Association, the largest teachers union in the state.
Related Story: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/article/2571798
There is no deadline for the court to respond to the motions to reconsider, so it’s unclear how soon the case to allow charter schools could advance, if at all.
Jason Russell is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
