Legislators need to meet constitutional responsibilities
Washington ranks 42nd in the nation in providing funding for public education. What a disgrace.
But there is a ray of hope. In response to a lawsuit brought by educators and parents, King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick agreed the state is not adequately funding public education. He ordered the state Legislature to determine the cost of providing basic education for all students, then pay for it as the state constitution requires.
My fear is that legislators will continue to fail at meeting their constitutional responsibility. We must insist they correct the situation.
In the meantime, our children continue to suffer the consequences of their neglect.
— Neal Porter, Seattle
Bellevue School District primary programs on the chopping block
The Bellevue School District (BSD) is forced to cut its 2010-11 budget because the state is not adequately funding basic education.
It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders —now, not by 2018.
Swimming, golf, gymnastics and wrestling are in danger of being cut in the BSD. With rampant obesity in the United States, this is ludicrous. High-school athletics teach life lessons and give many a reason to stay in school. Athletic participation can be the difference in getting into college.
Also at risk in the BSD are elementary-school physical education (PE), music, art and library time. PE is federally mandated; how will this be taught without PE teachers? Children will be at a disadvantage in the Information Age without teacher-librarians. Cutting elementary-school music classes will decimate music programs at all levels. Music and the arts are not luxuries —they create better learners and well-rounded individuals.
There are many cuts the BSD can make before eliminating entire programs. Personal agendas must be abandoned and cuts that do not affect students in the classroom and on the field must be made first.
— Marie Cummings, Bellevue