Attorney General Wants Charter School Ruling Reconsidered

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled that funding of charter schools is unconstitutional, despite voters approving the idea in 2012. Now Attorney General Bob Ferguson has asked the court to reconsider its ruling.

Ferguson says the court's ruling could call into question the constitutionality of a number of other state-funded programs. According to a release from Ferguson's office:

"The decision not only invalidates Initiative 1240, but also unnecessarily calls into question the constitutionality of a wide range of other state educational programs. These important programs range from Running Start to Washington State Skills Centers that provide career and technical education to high school students."

Ferguson seems to be suggesting the Court unwittingly may have opened up a legal can of worms by this ruling, possibly jeopardizing these other programs.

There are nine charter schools that are open in Washington state. Ferguson has until September 24 to file his motion with the court.  He says this ruling declaring the charter school funding unconstitutional could have far reaching implications beyond just the charter schools.

Sounds to us like the Supreme Court has added to it's list of over reaching and ill-considered decisions. The court has been blistered by critics for it's handling of the McCleary Decision about education funding. These critics say the court has overstepped it's bounds in attempting to force the State Legislature to comply by it's demands - when there's no provision for that in the state Constitutions.  They say that decision violates the separation of the powers of the state: court, legislature and governor.