Snoqualmie Valley School District has renewed its support of the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS), with a $1,500 contribution approved by the school board Sept. 15.

NEWS is a statewide coalition of more than 400 community groups, school districts and education associations advocating for full and ample funding of K-12 education. In 2012, the organization won a victory in the McCleary v. State case, when the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that the State of Washington was violating its constitutional ‘paramount duty’ to amply fund the education of all K-12 students.

Superintendent Joel Aune, who recommended the renewal, explained that the school district has been a member of NEWS for many years, and renewing membership supports its efforts to ensure that the state upholds the McCleary ruling.

“As a district member of NEWS, we stand together to ensure that the court’s landmark ruling in McCleary is enforced and the State Legislature steps up to its constitutional responsibility to amply fund K-12 education by adhering to the court’s ruling,” said Aune. “In anticipation of the upcoming legislative session this winter, it will be critically important that we continue to press our elected representatives to fully fund K-12 education without further delay. Our district’s continued membership in NEWS is one way we can affirm our support for the prompt and full enforcement of the McCleary decision.”