Excel Public Charter School in Kent will continue to serve students at least through the end of the school year despite a state Supreme Court ruling that charter schools are unconstitutional, said Adel Sefrioui, the school’s executive director.
Sefrioui said he, as well as staff, students and teachers, were surprised and disappointed by the court’s announcement late last Friday afternoon.
“The timing is unconscionable, as we’ve been serving students for three weeks now and the Supreme Court has had time to mull over this case since last October,” Sefrioui said.
Excel opened its doors to its first class of sixth- and seventh-grade students Aug. 18 with hopes of adding an additional grade each year to eventually serve sixth through 12th grade. The school operates in New Beginnings Christian Fellowship church, 19300 108th Ave. SE, Kent.
Washington state voters approved the creation of charter schools in 2012. In July 2013, a lawsuit asking for charter schools to be declared unconstitutional was filed by the Washington Education Association, the League of Women Voters of Washington, El Centro de la Raza, the Washington Association of School Administrators and several individual plaintiffs.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that charter schools are not “common schools” and, therefore, are not eligible for state funding.
Classes were in session on Tuesday morning at Excel following Labor Day weekend, and two new students had enrolled at the school, Sefrioui said.
About 50 parents, as well as several community leaders, met to discuss their next steps Tuesday morning, Sefrioui said.
“Parents are rolling up their sleeves, going to fight tooth and nail to make sure this school stays in the community,” he said.
The parties in the case, including Excel and the Washington State Charter Commission, have 20 days to file a motion for reconsideration, which Sefrioui said will happen.
“We hope they do something that shows empathy and compassion and gives our folks justice here,” he said.
Sefrioui said by ruling charter schools as common schools, it also puts several other programs, such as tribal schools and Running Start, at risk.
“What is the Legislature, what is (Gov.) Jay Inslee going to do to fix not only this charter school debacle but all these programs?” Sefrioui asked.
Excel has not received any funding from the state, Sefrioui said. He said the first disbursement of funding to all schools, including public school districts, will happen at the end of September.
Excel funded its start-up costs through grants and private funding.
Sefrioui said even if the court ruling is upheld, Excel will continue to serve its students.
“We will still stay open and find another way to stay open on a daily basis,” he said.
The state’s first charter school opened last year in Seattle. In addition to Excel, seven additional schools have or are slated to open this year.
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