Charter schools are unconstitutional

Article IX of the Washington State Constitution says, “The Legislature shall provide for a general and uniform system of public schools ... the entire revenue derived from the common school fund and the state tax for common schools shall be exclusively applied to the support of the common schools.” [“Wealthy back charter-schools proposal,” NWSaturday, July 14.]

So, not only do charter schools perform no better than public schools, on average, they also appear to be unconstitutional. In reality, they’re just a way for Republicans to destroy public education — the same way Republicans are destroying the New Deal, regulatory agencies and so much else.

— Donald A. Smith, Bellevue