CHIMACUM — The victorious school mother and lead petitioner in the lawsuit that claimed the state wasn’t amply paying for basic public education required under its constitution, voiced pride and relief Thursday for the Supreme Court ruling.
“We started this five years ago, so my kids will be through the system before we realize any immediate help,” said Stephanie McCleary, who has two children, Kelsey, a senior at Chimacum High School, and Carson, a seventh-grader at Chimacum Middle School.
She and Mike Blair, the former superintendent of the Chimacum School District and now retired in Port Ludlow, quietly celebrated the win that was a long time coming.
Blair more than five years ago persuaded her — his administrative secretary and human resources director — to join in the lawsuit on behalf of other concerned parents in the school district.
Showing its unwavering support, the Chimacum School Board unanimously voted to sue the state of Washington for inadequately funding public schools.
Chimacum was joined by the Omak School District to lead the legal fight that grew to include the state’s largest teachers union and 30 of its affiliates, plus 30 school districts.
It became the biggest lawsuit against the state over school dollars since 1978.
“The positive is that it looks like after reading through everything that the priority is to fund eduction,” McCleary said, adding that she had feelings that were both real and surreal after hearing the high court’s decision.
“Hopefully, we won’t see any additional cuts from the Legislature in our district,” said McCleary, who gave six hours of depositions with state attorneys and spent hours testifying before the court.
“In hindsight, I guess I can be proud of that,” she said. “It’s a great day.
“I’m glad this is over,” she added, saying she was glad that the decision was steadfast and could not be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Blair, who retired two years ago and is more focused on his golf game these days, said he was “very happy” with the ruling and the legal team.
Attorney Thomas Ahearne — who represented the coalition of school districts, parents, teachers and community groups that sued the state — said he was happy to see the Supreme Court agree with the lower court’s definitions of what it means to amply provide basic education to all children in the state.
Ahearne said the court made it clear the Legislature has to pay for education first, before any other state program or financial obligation.
Ahearne said he appreciated the fact that the court asked the attorneys on both sides to make suggestions about the most efficient way for the court to stay involved.
Blair said he was satisfied with several aspects of the ruling.
“The Supreme Court ruled that the state violated the constitution of the state,” he said.
Blair also highly approved of the court’s conclusion that education funding was “paramount,” meaning “first and foremost” and “the highest priority.”
He also said he was contented with the court’s position that the state “could not cut education funding based on tough times.”
“I am really excited and encouraged that the state Supreme Court will maintain jurisdiction to ensure that schools get the money they deserve under the state constitution.
“They are asking both us and the state to come up with a brief that will share how we can stay involved,” he said.
The options, as Blair saw them, include turning enforcement over to King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick, who in February 2010 ruled the state was violating its constitution by not fully paying for basic education; keep enforcement with the Supreme Court; or appoint a third party to act as enforcer.
“The fact that they are going to do that, that they are going to stay on it,” he said. “That it really important to us.”
State Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, said he supported the ruling.
“I find value in the fact that the Supreme Court believes were not adequately funding education,” said Van De Wege, whose wife, Jennifer, is a biology teacher at Sequim High School.
“I feel we need to invest more in children.”
The second-term lawmaker — who represents the 24th District, which covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County — said the ruling will force the Legislature to work hard on the state budget during the coming session.
“We need to continue to look at reform and implement it so we can invest more money in education,” he said.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.