Voters Don’t Like Plan To Shrink Class Size Proposal

SEATTLE (AP) — A new statewide poll indicates voters are not likely to OK a legislative plan to only shrink class sizes in kindergarten through third grade, instead of following the requirements of Initiative 1351.

Last November, voters approved the initiative calling on the Legislature to shrink class sizes in every public school classroom. Lawmakers have not been able to find the estimated $2 billion to make that happen. So they want to send the idea back to voters for refinement.

The Elway Poll interviewed more than 500 voters last week and found that 53 percent think the Legislature should find a way to reduce class sizes in all grades. Just 36 percent approved of alternative plans.

When asked if they would be willing to see their taxes go up to pay for smaller classes, 48 percent said they'd vote for that.

The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 4.5 percent.