A Washington state superior court judge ruled yesterday to uphold the state’s public charter school law, deciding against multiple claims challenging the law’s constitutionality.
Judge Jean A. Rietschel upheld the initiative, leaving the vast majority of the law intact and striking down one small piece of the legislation. Based on the judge’s decision, public charter schools will not have access to a state matching construction fund.
Implementation of Washington’s charter school law will go forward. The case is expected to be appealed to the state Supreme Court. The Washington State Charter School Commission and the Spokane School District are currently evaluating 22 public charter school applications, with decisions anticipated in about six weeks.
DFER-WA State Director Lisa Macfarlane spoke with reporters from Education Week and The Seattle Times about the victory:
“We were thrilled with the ruling. We wrote a good law, and we vetted it with constitutional law experts, and we’ve always been confident it will pass constitutional muster.” (Education Week)
“If the decision today stands as is, charter schools move forward and operate and get funded, and that is what is important to us.” (Seattle Times)
State Attorney General Bob Ferguson also issued a statement on the passage of the law, noting: “The court has held the vast majority of the charter schools initiative constitutional, and the state will continue to implement the law.”
Yesterday’s ruling is definitely a win for public charter schools in the state.
Tania de Sá Campos joined DFER Washington (DFER-WA) in April 2013 as Deputy State Director. In her role, Tania engages with a growing constituency of active, reform-minded Democrats and works with partners and allies to position Washington state as a leader in the next evolution of the movement to give every child a great education.