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AN ACT Relating to education; and amending RCW 28A.300.138.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 28A.300.138 and 1993 c 336 s 301 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) To the extent funds are appropriated, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide student learning improvement grants for the 1994-95 through 1996-97 school years. The purpose of the grants is to provide funds for additional time and resources for staff development and planning or other activities by the school community intended to improve student learning for all students, including students with diverse needs, consistent with the student learning goals in RCW 28A.150.210.

(2) To be eligible for student learning improvement grants, school district boards of directors shall:

(a) Adopt a policy regarding the sharing of instructional decisions with school staff, parents, and community members;

(b) Submit school-based applications that have been developed by school building personnel, parents, and community members. Each application shall:

(i) Enumerate specific activities to be carried out as part of the grant;

(ii) Identify the technical resources desired and availability of those resources;

(iii) Include a proposed budget; and

(iv) Indicate that the application was approved by the school principal and representatives of teachers, parents, and the community.

(3) The school board shall conduct at least one public hearing on schools' plans for using the grants before the board approves the plans. Boards may hear and approve more than one school's plan at a hearing. The board shall only submit applications for grants to the superintendent of public instruction if the board has approved the plans.

(4) If the requirements of subsections (2) and (3) of this section are met, the superintendent of public instruction shall approve the grant application unless the proposal in the grant application (a) is not consistent with school-based activities necessary to achieve a performance-based education system as specified in chapter 336, Laws of 1993, as amended, or (b) will substitute for education reform activities undertaken by the school as of the effective date of this section. The superintendent of public instruction may waive conditions in (b) of this subsection if a district experiences a significant reduction in financial resources.

(5) To the extent funds are appropriated, and for allocation purposes only, the amount of grants for the 1994-95 school year shall be based on time equivalent to no fewer than three days and not more than five days depending upon the number of grant applications received and on the number of full-time equivalent certificated staff((~~, classified instructional aides, and classified secretaries~~)) who work in the school at the time of application. Funds from the grant may be used to pay for planning and staff development for certificated and classified staff, and for other activities consistent with the purpose of the grant program. For the 1995-96 and 1996-97 school years, the equivalent of ((~~five~~)) up to four days annually shall be ((~~provided~~)) allocated. Activities conducted pursuant to this section also may be conducted during the months of July and August preceding each school year for which the school has received a grant. Expenses incurred as a result of these summer activities may be paid from the following school year grant. ((~~The allocation per full-time equivalent staff shall be determined in the biennial operating appropriations act.~~)) School districts shall use all funds received under this section solely for grants to schools and shall not use any portion of the funds for indirect costs.

(6) The state schools for the deaf and blind may apply for grants under this section.

(7) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt timelines and rules as necessary under chapter 34.05 RCW to administer the program. The superintendent may modify application requirements for schools that have schools for the twenty-first century projects under RCW 28A.630.100. A copy of the proposed rules shall be submitted to the joint select committee on education restructuring established in RCW 28A.630.950 at least forty-five days prior to adoption of the rules.

(8) Funding under this section shall not become a part of the state's basic program of education obligation as set forth under Article IX of the state Constitution.