Last episode we talked with two Tacoma parents who are figuring out how to balance the educational needs of their kids while keeping them safe in the time of COVID. This week we wanted to follow up and dig a little deeper into the state’s duty to provide education, and how schools are trying to provide critical services in a regulatory and funding environment that is completely based on bodies in seats.
Shannon McMinimee, a top education attorney and constitutional law professor, joins us to talk about the state’s paramount duty. You hear that term a lot in school funding discussions — because it is literally in our state Constitution: “It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.” Article IX, Section 1 of the Washington State Constitution.
So, how are we managing our paramount duty during this crisis? Will lawsuits help? And what can you do to help your district advocate for the services that our community needs (Hint: contact your federal and state representatives to let them know that we need a waiver on transportation funding so that our school buses can continue to deliver food and services to kids, and a waiver on school food rules so that our schools can continue to feed families!).
Listen and let us know what you think!
Evelyn Lopez: truetacoma@gmail.com @True_Tacoma
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