Washington state’s perennial remedy for insufficient, inequitable funding of schools can be best described as pain avoidance. But by fleeing discomfort, lawmakers have inflicted it on schools and students.

About 21 months ago, the Legislature commissioned a study on improving secondary-school education. To be included in that study was a funding mechanism to cover basic education.

The result was Washington Learns, which in November produced a lengthy wish list and a call for another funding study. Last Friday, the state Senate called for yet another study, but this time it appears that significant changes are afoot.

Senate Bill 5627 establishes a firm deadline and specific expectations for the latest group to look at the funding conundrum. By Jan. 1, the task force must provide two to four options. In the interests of accountability, one option must be outcome-based, which is to say it must call for specific levels of achievement. In the interest of frugality, one option must stay within the confines of current spending.

The task force will study the definition of “basic education” and what it is meant to encompass under the state’s constitution. It also will look at the complicated funding formulas in use and recommend improvements.

The bill wisely guides the committee to include long overlooked areas, such as special education, teacher pay, professional development, optimum class sizes and voluntary all-day kindergarten.

While the bill is laudable, it should be noted that it has taken multiple lawsuits and the threat of more to get to this point. The Legislature had little choice but to finally face up to the problem.

In the meantime, school districts have had to scrape by with creative management and tapping levy-raised “enhancement” funds for basic education. Spokane Public Schools was one of many districts that joined a lawsuit against the state for not providing sufficient funds for special education.

Unfortunately, this latest development is too late for districts that will be crippled by impending cuts. Spokane Public Schools, which faces a $10.5 million shortfall, will soon release details on the pain it couldn’t avoid. The district had to scramble to fill a $9 million hole in 2003.

“We’ve been avoiding it and solving it so well that people think we’re going to keep being able to do that. But where we’re at now is we’re out of options,” said Superintendent Brian Benzel, who moves on to a college job in August.

There is no quick fix that addresses the fundamental unfairness of funding formulas that haven’t changed since 1977. A crisis that’s been 30 years in the making can’t be undone without careful consideration.

The encouraging news is that at this time next year, lawmakers will debate serious options to fulfill the state’s paramount duty – educating children – and then selecting one.

No pain, no gain.