OLYMPIA -- The state Supreme Court will wait to see what the special session brings before considering what to do about penalties for the Legislature failing to come up with a plan to improve public schools.

In a brief order filed today by Chief Justice Barbara Madsen, the court said it would continue to hold off on "consideration of contempt sanctions and other remedial measures" until after the special session adjourns. But the day after legislators are done, Madsen said the state should file a response to last September's order to come up with an actual plan to meet the obligation to properly fund basic education, as required by the constitution.

The Legislature needed the special session to reach an agreement on the operating budget, nearly half of which is devoted to public school programs, policies and salaries. Legislators are also struggling with finding a way for the state to come up with all the money needed for teacher salaries, so some of the burden doesn't fall on school districts.

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