I-1351 Passing As of Friday – Will Cost New Teachers, Maybe Taxpayers, Money

According to the latest information from the Washington Secretary of State's Office,  the controversial measure that would limit class sizes in our state is passing by about 3,200 votes.

According to the Secretary of State and election laws, margins of less than 2,000 require a recount.    The initiative was losing by some 13,000 votes late election evening.

While portrayed in radio and TV ads as a way to lower class sizes, the bill has some interesting provisions that would make even the casual reader wonder how it will work.

• The bill does NOT levy or call for any taxes to pay for the estimated 23,000 plus new educators that it will require districts across the state to hire.  It will grant additional authority for school districts to levy additional property taxes.    The taxes or fees required to fund these new personnel would, on average, cost every household in the state (family of at least four) over $1,000 annually.
• The bill mandates that all new teachers hired after it passes pay an additional $1,000 in dues and fees to the WEA, the teachers union, giving them an extra $7 million annually.
• The way it was presented was done to make sure nobody noticed the State Supreme Court ruling that already requires hundreds of millions of dollars be spent on education (The McClatchy Ruling).   While funding is important, the Supreme Court ruling has meant over a billion dollars has been earmarked for schools.

On the surface, it sounded like a good idea.  But numerous studies have shown that reduction in class sizes doesn't translate into higher test scores automatically.  Teacher competency is what experts say is one of the most important factors.    Critics also say whatever revenue is generated from possible property taxes and additional dues isn't guaranteed to make it's way down to the classroom.

Schools will also have to find ways to hire these additional educators, and critics say that funding could come from smaller classroom programs.    Only time will tell, but it appears if it does pass, I-1351 is just another attempt to "fix" education issues by throwing money at them.