Class-size initiative supporters say they have enough signatures
OLYMPIA -- Supporters of a ballot measure that would reduce class sizes in public schools say they're confident the proposal will be on the November ballot after turning in more than 325,000 signatures this morning.
The Secretary of State's office will still have to check petitions before certifying Initiative 1351 for the ballot, but the cushion of signatures supporters collected means they will go through an expedited process unless major problems turn up.
I-1351 would require the Legislature to reduce class sizes across the state in Kindergarten through Grade 3, and other grades in "defined high-poverty schools." It tells the Legislature to pay for the reductions, phased in over the next four years, but does not specify if that would be by raising taxes or cutting other programs or both.
