Three Districts Prepare Lawsuit Over State Funding
Lake Washington, Tacoma and Yakima school districts are moving toward suing the state over education funding they say falls short of its constitutional obligation.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Administration
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Lake Washington and Tacoma school boards passed resolutions on October 22 directing staff to assemble a lawsuit, and the Yakima School District declared participation in a future suit on November 2. The three districts serve more than 74,000 students combined.
Why it matters
The districts contend the state's failure to meet its constitutional funding obligations forces them to rely on local levy dollars for day-to-day expenses. Lake Washington Superintendent Jon Holmen said local levy support cannot replace the state's constitutional obligation to fund basic education.
Districts are spending $800 million per year in local and federal funds to cover the state's basic education obligation, according to the extraction. The filing timeline and the state's response remain unreported.
The players
Lake Washington School District
A Washington public school district whose board directed staff to assemble a lawsuit against the state over education funding.
Tacoma School District
A Washington public school district whose board passed a resolution directing staff to assemble a lawsuit against the state over education funding.
Yakima School District
A Washington public school district that declared its participation in a future suit against the state over education funding.
Jon Holmen
Superintendent of the Lake Washington School District who said local levy support cannot replace the state's constitutional obligation to fund basic education.
The details
The Lake Washington and Tacoma school boards each passed resolutions on October 22 directing staff to start assembling a lawsuit, and Yakima followed on November 2. The districts say their reliance on local levy money to cover everyday costs stems from the state's shortfall in funding basic education.
Timeline
2012: The McCleary decision ruled the state violated its paramount duty to fund public education.
2014: The state court issued a contempt order and imposed a $100,000 per day fine on the state.
2018: The court ruled the state had come into compliance.
October 22, 2026: Lake Washington and Tacoma school boards passed lawsuit resolutions.
November 2, 2026: Yakima School District declared participation in a future suit.
Legal Context
The districts are pursuing a new challenge against the state after the 2012 McCleary decision required Washington to fund basic education and the court found compliance in 2018. The filings would revive a funding dispute that the state Supreme Court previously ruled on under its constitutional duty.
Families in these districts may see continued reliance on local levy funding for everyday school costs while the dispute proceeds. Anyone following the case should watch for a filed complaint and the state's response.
The takeaway
The dispute shows how local districts can carry costs the state is constitutionally responsible for, with local levies and federal funds filling the gap. Tracking whether the new lawsuit is filed will show whether the 2018 compliance finding holds up.
Further reading
For more on how school systems are run and funded, see Administration coverage.
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