Education has become a key issue in our state, so it’s not surprising that an initiative on class size is on the November ballot. However, while I-1351 seems like a good move, it will hamper the Legislature in its efforts to improve funding for public schools.

Voters should say “no” to the initiative.

The initiative, pushed by the Washington Education Association, would require the state to lower class size by hiring 12,000 more teachers. Also mandated would be additional psychologists, librarians and counselors, as well as more support staff.

The initiative would cost $4 billion when fully implemented after four years. What it doesn’t do is say where the Legislature would get the money. Would taxes be raised? Would other key state programs be cut? Who knows?

Yes, our state ranks 47th in the nation in class size. But the Legislature already is working on putting more money into our schools as it deals with a court ruling mandating the state fully fund education. One part of the court ruling is to lower class size.

There are lots of aspects to fully funding education. Everything from school supplies to transportation will need to be added. And that means class size, too.

The Legislature knows that satisfying the court ruling will cost billions of dollars more. With so much money and so many decisions needing to be made, lawmakers don’t need their hands tied by the union’s effort to get more members.

Vote “no” on I-1351 and let the Legislature do its job. The court ruling will keep the Legislature on track.

— Craig Groshart, Bellevue Reporter