REPORT FOR JANUARY 31
 

• HB 2458 would change the statutory formula for distributing Basic Education funds to school districts to include an enhanced certificated instructional staff ratio for grades K through three.  The enhancement would be phased in over six years.  School districts would have to document actual staffing ratios at least equal to the allocations in order to receive the enhanced funds; however, they would be allowed to use enhanced funds to provide facility improvements or additions related to class size reduction in grades K through three (similar to Initiative 728 Student Achievement Funds).
• HB 2773 would require OSPI to allocate funds to school districts for an additional .48 Certificated Instructional Staff per 1,000 full-time equivalent students in grades six through12, to be used for increased instructional support services by certificated school counselors and librarians, if funds are provided by the state.
• HB 2886 would require that Basic Education funds reflect a ratio of one school nurse for every 750 full-time equivalent students.  The enhanced ratio would be phased in over five years beginning with the 2008-09 school year.
• HB 2869 would allow instructional staff to continue to receive the bonus for certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards if they later become principals during the term of the certification.
• HB 2775 would reduce the school poverty threshold for nationally-certified instructional staff to receive an additional $5,000 bonus from 70 percent free or reduced lunch (FRL) in all schools to 60 percent FRL in middle schools and 50 percent FRL in high schools.
• HB 3097 would permit the State Board of Education to delegate certain duties to the executive director, including the authority to employ necessary personnel and to enter into, amend, and terminate contracts.
• HB 2954 would authorize ESD Boards and larger school districts to designate a District Treasurer with the same powers, duties, and responsibilities for financial matters as the County Treasurer.
• HB 2884 would establish rules related to student discipline and the use of restraints in public K-12 schools.

The Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee held a work session to receive updates on: the State Board of Education’s efforts to develop a statewide education accountability system; and the current Focused Assistance/School Improvement program from OSPI.  Following these updates, representatives of WSSDA, WASA (administrators), AWSP (principals), PTA (parents), PSE (classified staff) and WEA (teachers) provided their association’s perspective on what an accountability system should look like.  There were diverging opinions; however, it was clear that each of the associations (and their members) ideas about an accountability system are more closely aligned with each other than with ideas from the State Board or OSPI.  The State Board has toned down some of its rhetoric; however, it is still fairly clear that they have a belief that outside intervention in some of our schools and districts will be necessary to ensure they are accountable.  WSSDA reminded Committee members that we are not afraid of accountability, but we will continue to strongly oppose any outside entity usurping the authority of the locally elected school board.

The Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee also took public testimony on two bills.  The first bill, SB 6511, continued the theme of accountability.  The bill would require the State Board to implement the Washington State Quality Award program and/or the Baldrige National Quality Program as the public school accountability system. The second bill, SB 6537, would impose an admissions surcharge on entertainment to fund extracurricular activities in middle and high schools.  Requested by a group of high school students, the bill is intended to raise replacement funds for ASB programs that have lost substantial revenues due to recent legislation that limited pop and junk food sales in schools.

The House Capital Budget Committee held a work session on the Board of Health’s new rules regarding environmental health and safety for K-12 facilities.  The Board of Health has been attempting to develop new school health and safety rules for the last couple of years.  Many of the recommended rule changes are simple; many are controversial.  And many of the changes could be very costly.  If you have not had an opportunity to review the Board of Health’s new proposed rules for Primary and Secondary School Environmental Health and Safety, you are strongly encouraged to do so.  The draft rules can be found on the state Board of Health Web site.   (The school rules are near the bottom of the page.)

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Legislative Reports are prepared by WSSDA's Governmental Relations staff team: Dan Steele (360/252-3010) and Sheila Chard (360/252-3011). If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us.