Here is a link to today’s oral arguments before our State Supreme Court in the Wahkiakum School District capital budget case. It’s 45 minutes in length but well worth your time. The arguments on both sides are apparent and questions from justices are on point. No matter the decision of the court, the impact will be felt statewide. Currently, the state does not provide capital budget funds based on a Constitutional duty. Rather, it provides funds as required by statutes which could be undone by the state without further obligation.

The heart of the case: Based on the court’s decision in the McCleary case regarding provision of ample funding for basic education, should the state (Legislature) be compelled to provide a level of “basic” capital funding to ensure students receive an equitable opportunity to learn in capital facilities?

There is no specific timeline for a decision, but it will certainly fall after the current legislative session.

https://tvw.org/video/washington-state-supreme-court-2023031370/?eventID=2023031370#:~:text=https%3A//www.tvw.org/watch/%3FclientID%3D9375922947%26eventID%3D2023031370