Teachers walk out to send message to Olympia

Washington classrooms may be missing a key component this week as swarms of teachers walk out of their schools in eight districts.

The walkouts begin Wednesday with teachers from Arlington, Lakewood, and Stanwood-Camano. Teachers from Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, and Mount Vernon will follow with a walkout on Friday. Teachers in Sedro-Woolley plan to strike on April 29.

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It’s been nearly three years since the McCleary decision which ruled that state lawmakers must fully budget for education. The walkout is an effort to draw attention to the lack of progress in fully funding the state’s education since the decision.

It will take at least $3 billion more to get the job done and lawmakers in Olympia had until the end of the session on Saturday to finalize the budget. The House’s budget chair announced Tuesday lawmakers won’t finish in time and will need a special session.

Three plans have been discussed in Olympia. Republicans propose to move existing funds around and divert the necessary money to the schools. Democrats have suggested a Capital Gains Tax. And the state treasurer, along with the superintendent of public instruction, have come out in support of an income tax.

Students at schools participating in the walkouts will have to make the days up later this year.