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Snohomish County opinion
State must take care of all its students
By Carol Whitehead
Special to The Times
Last month, Washington Learns released its final report after
a comprehensive 18 - month study of Washington state early
learning, K - 12 and higher education. Although this report
provides a good blueprint for addressing key education
issues, the state still has a long way to go in terms of meeting
our students' wide - ranging needs. Despite good intentions
from the committee, the report contains no specific
recommendations to resolve persistent special - education -
funding shortfalls.
It is no secret that Washington state is already failing to fully
fund education for its children. We rank 42nd in the nation
for basic education funding, falling behind states including
Alabama, Texas, West Virginia and Kentucky. We must
ensure that all of our children get the best possible
education. An urgent need for the governor and our
legislators to address the problems in special - education
funding is why an alliance of 12 school districts from across
Washington has launched a historic lawsuit against the state.
More than 70 additional Washington school districts
formally support the School Districts' Alliance for Adequate Funding of Special Education's belief
that the state has failed to fully fund special - education programs. Together, these two groups serve
more than 60 percent of Washington's students who receive special services.
Courts have already determined special -
education services are basic for qualifying students. When the
state fails to fulfill its constitutional obligations to adequately fund special education, school districts
are forced to make cuts and to reallocate levy dollars that should be used to fund programs for all
students.
In many ways, our state's entire education system is on trial. The state's failure to fully fund in any
area hurts students in all areas. We are committed to honoring the rights and dignity of each student.
Everett Public Schools serves more than 18,500 students; approximately 2,200 are in special -
education programs. Like most Washington school districts, we have trimmed because of funding
shortfalls. For 2006- 07, we had to cut $4.5 million. In the past seven years, Everett Public Schools has
JOHN ROBERGE / MCT
Dr. Carol Whitehead
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cut supplies and materials; support, custodial and maintenance staff; district and school
administrators; student athletics and activities; professional training opportunities for teachers, and
some academic and after - school programs for students. At the same time, we have backfilled the
state's special - education - funding shortfall.
Everett is not alone. Collectively, in 2004 - 05, the 12 alliance districts now suing the state backfilled
the state's special - education - funding obligation by $32 million. Across the state, Washington's 296
school districts backfill the state's obligation by more than $200 million each biennium. Every student
in Washington is impacted by the state's failure to meet its constitutional obligation.
I am pleased Gov. Christine Gregoire wants to use some of the state's $1.9 billion reserves for
education. By taking a strong stance in her proposed budget, she can send a clear signal that the state
will take care of all of its students.
In January, when our legislators convene for the 2007 session, they should do the right thing by taking
on our state's school - funding crisis. It is time for the governor and the legislators to provide hope for
the future in this state. The education of our state's children is a priority that can no longer be ignored.
Dr. Carol Whitehead is the superintendent of Everett Public Schools, one of the 12 districts suing the
state of Washington over special - education funding. The other districts are Bellingham, Bethel,
Burlington - Edison, Federal Way, Issaquah, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Northshore, Puyallup,
Riverside and Spokane.
Copyright � 2006 The Seattle Times Company
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