Are salary disparities in school districts unconstitutional?

June 12, 9:14 AMWashington Law ExaminerMichael Reitz

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The Supreme Court of Washington is evaluating whether the Legislature is constitutionally compelled to equalize state allocations to school districts for school employee salaries. In 2006, the Federal Way School District, along with district employees and students, sued the state, arguing that funding disparities violate the duty of a “general and uniform” school system.

Education funding is a complex formula of federal, state, and local funds that are distributed to individual school districts. King County Superior Court Judge Michael Heavey ruled that the state’s funding model violates the “general and uniform” duty, and violated the state’s equal protection clause by paying similarly-situated school employees differently. Judge Heavey pointed out the disparities of state allocations among districts for the 2007-08 school year:

• Classified staff: $30,111 to $35,227
• Administrative staff: $54,405 to $80,807
• Teaching staff: $32,746 to $34,612

Federal Way is at the bottom classification in all three salary allocation ranges.

Judge Heavey also took note of the per-pupil funding received from the state. He compared eight districts, which ranged from $2,766 to $3,707 (Federal Way received $3,005 per student).

There are two educational provisions of the state constitution at play here.

Art. IX, Sec. 1. PREAMBLE. 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.

Art. IX, Sec. 2. PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. The legislature shall provide for a general and uniform system of public schools. The public school system shall include common schools, and such high schools, normal schools, and technical schools as may hereafter be established. But the entire revenue derived from the common school fund and the state tax for common schools shall be exclusively applied to the support of the common schools.

For a recap of the argument before the Supreme Court, check out the Supreme Court of Washington Blog.