Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Supreme Court issues opinion in case involving charter school; finds Act unconstitutional

September 4, 2015, Olympia WA — In a 6-3 decision today, the Washington Supreme Court found significant portions of Initiative 1240, the Charter School Act, unconstitutional. According to the decision: “The portions of I-1240 designating charter schools as common schools violate article IX, section 2 of the Washington Constitution and are invalid. For the same reason, the portions of I-1240 providing access to restricted common school funding are also invalid. These provisions are not severable and render the entire Act unconstitutional.” The Court heard oral arguments in the case, League of Women Voters et al. v State of Washington and Washington State Charter Schools Association et al, 89714-0, on October 28, 2014. The full opinion can be read at www.courts.wa.gov.