School Board Opposes Initiative 1033

At their October 13, 2009 meeting, the Riverview School Board of Directors approved a resolution which formally opposes Initiative 1033, which is on the November 9 General Election ballot. If approved by voters, I-1033 would limit annual growth of state, city and county general fund revenues to the rate of inflation and population growth. According to the State Office of Financial Management, the initiative would reduce state general fund revenues by an estimated $5.9 billion by 2015. Approximately 42 percent of the State General Fund currently supports K-12 education, and I-1033 would undoubtedly have a devastating impact on K-12 education in our local community and in the state of Washington. The following is the approved Board Resolution.

RIVERVIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 407

KING COUNTY, CARNATION, WASHINGTON

RESOLUTION NO. 09-04

A RESOLUTION of the Riverview School District No. 407 Board of Directors,

King County, Carnation, Washington, against Initiative 1033.

WHEREAS, Initiative 1033 would establish new limits on the growth in Washington State general fund revenues, of which approximately 42 percent currently supports K-12 education; and

WHEREAS, Initiative 1033 will reduce state revenue by an estimated $5.9 billion by 2015 (as estimated by the Office of Financial Management), and thereby further erode K-12 funding in the State of Washington; and

WHEREAS, Initiative 1033 is on the ballot in a year when the Washington Legislature reduced funding for K-12 public schools by $1.5 billion, cuts that have negatively impacted our local schools, staff and students; and

WHEREAS, Initiative 1033 will prevent the State from making new investments in education as required in HB 2261, the basic education reform legislation signed into law in 2009, which outlines a nine-year plan for revamping the State’s K-12 education finance system and revises the way the State defines and pays for basic education; and

WHEREAS, Initiative 1033 would clearly hurt the State’s efforts to promote student learning, achievement and school accountability; and

WHEREAS, Initiative 1033 will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on K-12 education in our local community and in the state of Washington;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of Riverview School District No. 407 is opposing the passage of Initiative 1033.

ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of Riverview School District No. 407 at an open public meeting held on October 13, 2009, notice of which was given as required by law, the following directors being present and voting therefore.