Everyone has a story. What's yours?
 Linda Thomas
twitter: @TheNewsChick
About Linda
Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.

If you have a news tip or story idea, I'd love to hear from you...

To leave a voice message for Linda about any of her stories call toll free 1-855-251-2363

Follow Me on Pinterest


School.jpg
The WEA, League of Women Voters of Washington, and El Centro de la Raza sent a complaint letter to Attorney General Bob Ferguson challenging the constitutionality of the state's new charter school law. (AP file photo)

Any charter school is one too many for state teachers' union

February 27, 2013 @ 5:38 pm (Updated: 5:39 am - 2/28/13 )

The Washington Education Association is challenging the law voters approved last fall to create up to 40 charter schools in the state within the next five years.

The WEA, which represents about 82,000 teachers in our state, didn't like the result of the public vote on Initiative 1240. While it was close - 50.7 percent of the voters in favor, 49.3 percent opposed - the measure to allow public charter schools in Washington passed.

Along with the WEA, the League of Women Voters of Washington and El Centro de la Raza sent a complaint letter to Attorney General Bob Ferguson challenging the constitutionality of the state's new charter school law.

They say it violates the state constitution by "improperly diverting public school funds to private non-profit groups" that could potentially set up a charter school. Although, public schools could also create a specialty charter school.

"The Charter School Act drains money from public schools to privately run charter schools that aren't accountable to local voters -- taking away the right of citizens to elect representatives to oversee the spending of their taxes," says Catherine Ahl with the League of Women Voters.

A letter to the AG's office lists seven ways the charter schools law violates the constitution, in their view.

Their bottom line is, "the Charter School Act is an unconstitutional law that impedes the State's progress toward fully funding public education and places even greater pressure on school districts to fill this gap."

The Attorney General is not buying it.

"We all share the desire to provide the highest quality education for our children," Ferguson says in a statement. "As the state's attorney, it's my responsibility to defend the will of the voters and I will be directing my legal team to do so in this case."

If the AG's office doesn't act, the group says it will file a lawsuit in Superior Court.

Washington has over one-million students enrolled in public schools. About 73,000 students go to private schools, and another 15,000 are homeschooled. Voters decided in November to add charter schools as an option, with a priority given to schools and communities that serve at-risk students.

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (75)


  • Add A Comment

  • sportsguru wrote...
    What!!!!
    February 27, 2013 6:40 pm

    ""The Charter School Act drains money from public schools to privately run charter schools that aren't accountable to local voters -- taking away the right of citizens to elect representatives to oversee the spending of their taxes,"

    Why wouldn't they be accountable to local voters since it was the local voters who approved the initiative and how did they take away the rights of citizens? Wasn't it the citizens who voted?

    Have a coke and a smile and shut the phucck up.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Guru...LOL!
    February 27, 2013 8:57 pm
    True that. The Teachers union has lost any and ALL Credibilty they may have once deserved. I am so glad my kids are out of school. The Union ruins the integrity of so many "Good" teachers that its pathetic. They do more harm than good. Hate to say it but, "Those who can, do. Those who wish they could teach, are obstructed by their chickenshit Union"! ZERO RESPECT for THE TEACHERS UNION!I hope you lose this battle!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    No 'coke' for the WEA - thet're already to hyped.
    February 28, 2013 1:34 am
    I'd suggest some newly legal weed and chill out. ,,,,,,, According to the WEA, 40 some other states (and Dave Ross) are WRONG about charter schools.

    Then again, a lot of groups don't trust the people, and they may well FIND a judge to agree with them. ............ After all, per the State, even advisory votes on red light cameras are now illegal.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • po_guy wrote...
    Glad I read your post first
    February 28, 2013 10:47 am
    because you took the words right out of my mouth!!! I second that statement!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • roomtemp wrote...
    I smell fear...
    February 27, 2013 11:23 pm
    "improperly diverting public school funds to private non-profit groups"

    Ahh, this could have the potential to affect the salaries of for-profit groups like WEA bureaucrats then.

    While we're in court. Let's explore the constitutionality of public employees having a union at all.

    Out of curiosity... I could see the unions protesting as it could affect their membership and profits. But what does the League of Women Voters have to do with this? Just left wing big .gov types keeping each others backs?

    And who in the heck is El Centro de la Raza? The Center of the Race? (Yeah, my Spanish is really bad.) -clickety-click-google-clickety- Hmm, OK, it's supposed to be. "The Center for the People of All Races" Still seems like they missed a few words though, pretty sure there should at least be an s at the end of raza. I suppose blonde/blue types like me need not apply eh? So what's their connection and why are they defending the teachers union?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • po_guy wrote...
    The El Centro group is in it becaus it could affect their FREE
    February 28, 2013 10:50 am
    educations for their illegal children!!! Anyone should be able to see that...and the Women Voter group? Just a hype to get their name into something...publicity...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    as a parent and victim of our poorly run public schools...
    February 28, 2013 5:30 am
    we want another choice! You are all failing miserably.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Teahawk wrote...
    Charter schools are a waste of time...
    February 28, 2013 6:13 am
    How many of our students are they actually going to help? Not many. We need effective programs that help all of our students. How bout making the ability to claim your student as a dependent contingent on their performance in school? That would probably raise test scores dramatically because parents would actually give a poo if their kids learned.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dstryr wrote...
    effective programs
    March 6, 2013 5:48 am
    We have the most effective program available and it is called LIFE.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ChartryC wrote...
    Notice to all Unions
    February 28, 2013 5:57 am
    Its time to put you on notice, you are not all be all. Unions are not going to get everything you want. You can't stomp your feet and lay on the ground like the little kiddies in your classroom and cry and pout to get your way anymore. Just shut up and grow up. You wont get anymore money for your efforts , because there just isn't anymore for your greedy little fingers!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @ChartryC
    February 28, 2013 7:49 am
    What does the average WA public teacher make? Instead of criticizing wall street and the banksters you attack workers smart enough to organize like doctors, pilots and teachers? What right wing corporate media have you been consuming? It certainly shows.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • jstumbo wrote...
    They make somewhere over $55K...
    February 28, 2013 12:11 pm
    for 9 months work. Or about $75K on an annualized basis, plus great benifits.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @jstumbo
    February 28, 2013 1:41 pm
    You're supposed to cite your sources.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ratrustle wrote...
    I call a do-over!
    February 28, 2013 6:13 am
    It worked for the Boeing Engineers Union.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Steamboat wrote...
    Poor job
    February 28, 2013 6:21 am
    I would normally see their point. But the public school system has proven that it doesn't know how to use the funds that it currently gets. Its time to explore other options. I believe the union has destroyed the public schools. They would have a point if private schools didn't severely out perform them. Throwing more money at a problem doesn't fix it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mobeta wrote...
    The whole education system is a scam!
    February 28, 2013 6:23 am
    Luckily my life of this broken education system is almost over. 3 kids through the system I have seen this is good for only one segment, the teachers and administrators not the kids. They alway say this is for the kids, Bull---T, the teachers care about one thing, how to scam the system for their own benefit. Many don't give a d--m about educating our kids properly. They don't teach the kids coming through the system the proper systems or things they need to succeed. They are more interested in protecting the poor teachers (and there are many) who don't have a clue. That's why they are teachers because they would have a difficult time out in the real world so they scam us the American tax payers for their own benefit. Make no mistake, that's the facts jack!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Teahawk wrote...
    This may be somewhat true...
    February 28, 2013 6:48 am
    But where's the accountability for parents raising kids that do something at school. Teachers can't make chicken salad out of Chicken---T. I'm tired of reading these comments where a parent puts 100% of the blame on your child's success/failure on schools and teachers. IMO, that's Bull---T! Go buy a mirror - you're also a big part of the problem!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mobeta wrote...
    Teahawk
    February 28, 2013 8:22 am
    So where is the accountability and I didn't put 100% of the blame? Where did I say that, I didn't you moron. You have no idea about my kids or how I raised my boys. I have put them through many private schooling such as stock or finacial related schooling on top of their normal schooling and all of them are successful because we do pay attention and for you to say that shows how shallow you are. My kids will be successful despite the lack of schooling that 80% we don't need to teach because you want to hold up basket weaving for the prof who can't exist on his own in the real world (there are so many of these prof's) and teaches socialism that he is part of this whole education system. Don't tell me I'm the problem. The system is the problem and they are not being held accountable at all and you can not say they are. Your shallow thinking and assuming you know my situation is total BS.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Teahawk wrote...
    Since you're the expert...
    February 28, 2013 8:53 am
    How important do you think parent involvement is in a students success? What should a teacher do when they have a student that is so disruptive they have to spend 25-30% of their time dealing with 1 student's behaviors? Should there be some way to remove this student? If there was what do you think the effect would be on the other students in the room's measurable success. The point I'm trying to make is that this problem is so complex that just blaming teachers seems really closed minded.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @mobeta
    February 28, 2013 7:52 am
    Just wait until you see FOR PROFIT corporations get involved and their executives who take substantially more than what they're paying the instructors (who won't even have a BA or MA). You're in for the real scam!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mobeta wrote...
    cigarfan!
    February 28, 2013 8:11 am
    Then if I can take my kid anywhere I want so be it and make the schools compete for my business. Take my funds that I pay in taxes and take them to a school that works well not to some monopoly like we have now. The market driven school system would work or they go away like normal businesses or you take your business elsewhere plus make the teachers compete for a job instead of leaving crappy teachers that the union protects. Pay the teachers better if they are good and let the weak ones go away. We all get hurt by this system and the unions need to go away and have teachers stand on their own two feet like all of us in the private sector. It would make the teachers and schools teach what needs to be teached to compete with the 29 other countries that kick our A-- in education. I can't tell you how many teachers that DO NOT KNOW HOW TO TEACH and need to go away.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    mobeta
    February 28, 2013 1:44 pm
    Yes you are certainly able to take your kids to "McSchool"....or if you really want to teach them right wing values, you can home school! Personally I'm glad my kids got an education from persons with Bachelor and Master degrees. You can also go to a witch doctor for your kids healthcare, but I hope you're wiser than that. Professional is the way to go.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • luckedout wrote...
    cigarfan...
    February 28, 2013 5:03 pm
    My kids are home schooled. They outperform their peers in every subject and it takes half the time each day it would have taken in public schools. Don't talk down to home-schooling because you were too lazy or stupid to teach your own kids and left it up to public schools. (See my unfair, rash generalization about you?)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @luckedout
    February 28, 2013 5:58 pm
    It depends on what you consider an education. How's your Band or orchestra? How's your Japanese or Chinese language? How's your Calculus? Lab sciences? What drama theatre productions are you performing? How goes Gymnastics or Soccer? World history? Biology? Since I don't think you have University degree's in all these subjects, you short-change the student's education.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    "The Charter School Act drains money from public schools to privately run charter schools that aren't accountable to local voters --
    February 28, 2013 6:43 am
    They would prefer we have our money drained by the teachers and their union which aren't held accountable to the voters instead.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • circuitfr wrote...
    the real point
    February 28, 2013 6:53 am
    is collectivism vs. individualism. You can hear it in peoples post. How dare anyone want a charter school that has more control over how the school is run and students are taught? That would undermine the public schools and the liberal, history revisionists, collectivist thought! Public schools are all about dumbing down children to think like little sheep. Individual thoughts are stifled and from 5 years old, they are taught that you don't matter and it's all about the "group." Thank God I homeschool and can give my children an education I see fit, and not the government. My children will be taught correct history, embrace individualism and freedom to be who you want to be. They will be offered all the information available and be free to make their own choices when ready. Einstein said it's a miracle if a child has any curiousity left after public school. Our most thought provoking and genius minds of our time were NOT brought up by public schools. It's only by sheer chance that an individual makes it out of the system alive.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @mnpat
    February 28, 2013 7:41 am
    Public schools leadership IS elected and accountable to voters. Union leadership IS elected and accountable to the membership. What is NOT accountable to voters are the private FOR PROFIT Charter schools.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    Public school system as we know it is a monopoly,
    February 28, 2013 8:48 am
    Anything that breaks up a moonopoly is a good thing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @mnpat
    February 28, 2013 1:47 pm
    Parents already have the ability to choose their kids education. I would be more concerned with the QUALITY of education instead of drinking the right wing koolaid and getting sub-standard Teachers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    That is incorrect cigarfan,
    February 28, 2013 1:56 pm
    Parents have the option to pay additional funds of a private education in addition to the taxes they pay for public education if not satisfied. That is akin to telling everyone they have to purchase a chevy vehicle each year, same model, same color, same package, if you don't like it, you still have to buy one but if you have extra funds you may purchase an additional vehicle, your choice. Sorry but I don't drink koolaid and I think for myself.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @mnpat
    February 28, 2013 2:37 pm
    What is incorrect mnpat is that the subject of this blog is Corporate CHARTER schools. We are not addressing prep schools which DO use teachers who have MA's & BA's -and charge accordingly.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • circuitfr wrote...
    umm...
    February 28, 2013 9:32 am
    You are going to say that Union leadership is accountable with a straight face? Wow, if they are not for profit, I don't know who is. They get paid greatly for gosh knows what. Public schools are accountable? How so? Teachers are not held accountable for the insane dropout rates. Leadership is not held accountable for poor test scores... You are just as nuts. What accountability? FOR PROFIT is the only thing that has driven America to what it is today. For profit is not evil if it's done by ethical, moral people. The problem is OUR OWN government thinks it's ok to prop up immoral businesses. I.E. Auto bailouts, Bank bailouts. Apparently, they won't let the free market work and let those slime bag businesses fail.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    "Teachers are not held accountable for the insane dropout rates."
    February 28, 2013 2:03 pm
    why should they be?

    it's not the TEACHER'S JOB to get their lazy backsides to class with their homework done! the student's ONLY JOB is to get their behinds to school and to PASS. that's it.

    teacher don't make kids drop out. to think they do is insane.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @circuitfr
    February 28, 2013 2:41 pm
    I'm getting the feeling you don't know how political offices, school boards and/or Unions are run. They use elections for holding accountable the leadership by voting. The main problem with conservative ideology is...it doesn't know how to tell government from Business, because corporate radio indoctrinates the lack of separation between government and business.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vanderleun wrote...
    Anything that combines these criminals
    February 28, 2013 6:53 am
    "the WEA, the League of Women Voters of Washington and El Centro de la Raza " is something that needs to be flushed out of the page of history . The fear of LaRaza is all you need to know when coupled with the fear and greed of WEA
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }