Three large Washington school districts are preparing to sue the state, alleging it is once again failing to fully fund basic education.
School boards for the Lake Washington, Tacoma and Yakima districts contend the state’s failure to meet its constitutional obligations is forcing them to rely on local levy dollars to pay day-to-day expenses, echoing an argument made in the landmark McCleary ruling that forced the state to pump billions of additional dollars into education.
The Lake Washington and Tacoma School Districts simultaneously passed resolutions on Oct. 22, directing staff to start assembling the pieces for a lawsuit. On Nov. 2, the Yakima School District followed their lead, effectively declaring participation in a future suit…