Yesterday, after considering for nearly a year, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that charter schools are unconstitutional because they divert taxpayer dollars intended for public schools, and governed by democratically elected officials, to self-appointed groups.
According to the Seattle Times (link to full article here), "Chief Justice Barbara Madsen wrote that charter schools aren’t “common schools” because they’re governed by appointed rather than elected boards. Therefore, “money that is dedicated to common schools is unconstitutionally diverted to charter schools,” Madsen wrote."
Similarly, if approved, Ross Valley Charter School would be run, not by a democratically, tax-payer elected group, but by a small group of self-appointed folks. If this seems decidedly undemocratic and un-American to you, please let the MCOE know.