Wash. judge rules state failing constitutional duty to fully fund basic education

Wash. judge rules state failing education

KENT, Wash. — A judge has ruled that the state of Washington is not fulfilling its constitutional duty to fully pay for basic public education.

Thursday’s decision by King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick comes after nearly two months of testimony last fall in the lawsuit brought by a coalition of school districts, parents, teachers and community leaders. They said the state was failing its constitutional duty. The state argued it was fully funding education.

A similar case went to the state Supreme Court 30 years ago, and this case could end up in that court as well.