NEWS RELEASE

November 15, 2017 From: Wendy K. Ferrell

wendy.ferrell@courts.wa.gov

Washington Supreme Court Issues Order on

McCleary Education Case
Olympia, WA The Washington Supreme Court today issued an order in the case of
McCleary, et al. v. State of Washington ruling that the State is not on track to meet the
September 1, 2018 deadline to fully implement its program of basic education.

The courts ruling retains jurisdiction of the landmark education case, continues daily
sanctions and orders a report by the State by April 9, 2018 on its progress toward full
compliance during the next legislative session.

Signed by all nine justices of the Court, the order acknowledges that the State has made
significant progress in fully funding the program of basic education but notes that the funding
system adopted, delays by over a year implementation of a constitutionally compliant salary
model, a critical part of meaningful reform.

The order summarizes the nearly six years of history in the case, along with analysis of several
areas of reform that have satisfied the Courts mandate, including: K-3 class size reductions; all-
day kindergarten; transportation; materials and supplies; and categorical programs such as
highly capable students and special education.

However, the order notes that as things stand today, the salary allocation model enacted in
EHB 2242 complies with the States obligation to fully fund K-12 basic education salaries, but
it will not be implemented by September 1, 2018 the deadline the Legislature itself
recognized.

The courts constitutional responsibility is to the schoolchildren of this state who have an
enforceable right under article IX, section 1 to an amply funded education, said the Court.
We cannot erode that constitutional right by saying that the State is now close enough to
constitutional compliance.

The ruling responds to the most recent report of the Washington State Legislature and oral
argument on progress made toward meeting constitutional education requirements outlined
by the Court in its January 5, 2012 original opinion in this case.

The order states that upon reviewing the parties submissions in April, the Court will determine
what, if any, additional actions to take. The Courts most recent order, along with a complete
history of the documents filed in this case, can be found online at www.courts.wa.gov.

###