District Pushes Back on McCleary Fulfillment

Seattle Times article today on McCleary funding which the article indicates seems almost as hazy as the skies over Seattle.

Seattle Schools statement (they are having a media event on Monday which I will attend and bold mine:

McCleary Plan does not achieve state’s paramount duty District also encourages resolution of capital budget

Today, legislators filed briefs with the state Supreme Court explaining how they acted to meet the court’s mandate to fully fund education. While the Seattle delegation fought hard to fully fund McCleary and provide adequate funding to Seattle Public Schools, the McCleary plan passed by the legislature does not fully fund basic education.

Many are applauding the McCleary Plan and consider the work to overhaul state funding of public schools now complete. We disagree.

“We have spent the last few weeks studying the changes and what they mean for our students and families. Of utmost concern is whether amounts allocated for student services and supports, compensation and essential staff positions meet basic education constitutional requirements and district needs.

“We know there are other areas where limits on levies and the net increase in state funding simply will not cover our basic education costs.

 “For that reason, we hope the Supreme Court sees what we see: the McCleary Plan is an important step but does not fulfill the mandate of ample or equitable school funding. 

  “We have said it before: the Legislature deserves credit for their effort. We hope legislators remain open to understanding the real consequences of this new plan and work with us to find solutions in the coming session.

“We also urge legislators to reach agreement on the capital budget soon. Seattle is fortunate in that we can move ahead with our capital projects and front the costs, but others cannot. Safe school buildings are an equally important part of providing an education for all students.”