Fair Funding Lawsuit Q&A

Q. How much more do other districts receive in state funding?

A. For classified employees, the top funded school district (Seattle)receives 17.8% more than Federal Way for every classified “unit”, or full time position. For each certificated administrative unit, the top funded district (Skykomish) receives 54.7% more than Federal Way. For each teacher, the top funded district (Everett SD) receives 8.2% more per certificated instructional unit.

The differences in funding for certificated instructional units (teachers) is smaller than the administrative and classified formulas, but it is significant because the number of certificated instructional units funded by the state is far greater than the number of certificated and classified units funded by the state.

Q. What legal grounds does the district have for this lawsuit?   

A. Article IX, Section 2 of the Washington State Constitution requires the state legislature to “provide for a general and uniform system of public schools.” 

Article I, Section 12 of the Washington State Constitution states that “no law shall be passed granting to any citizen, class of citizens, or corporation other than municipal, privileges and immunities which upon the same terms shall not equally belong to all citizens, or corporations.” 

Federal Way Public Schools and associated plaintiffs will be represented by the law firm of Dionne & Rorick

Q. What is the timeline for this lawsuit?

A. The lawsuit was filed in early November, 2006. It is likely to take 12-18 months to get a court date.   The District's brief for the Fair School Funding lawsuit is scheduled to be filed by October 5th, 2007, and the judge is scheduled to hear the arguments on November 2nd.