BELLINGHAM,Wash. -- A King County Judge says the State of Washington is not fulfilling its constitutional duty to fully pay for basic public education.
Thursday\'s decision comes from a lawsuit brought on by Bellingham schools as well as several other
school districts, parents, teachers and community leaders.
They argued that the state forces school districts to find local funding through levies and other sources.
Nathan Olson with the State Superintendent of Schools Office says they agree with the decision.
The judge based his decision on a State Supreme Court Ruling from 30 years ago, which found the state must amply provide for basic education.
He says relying so heavily on local levies fails that standard.
The Assistant Attorney General says the state may appeal the ruling.
They argue the state does meet its constitutional duty.
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