SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5874

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: Skill centers are regional secondary schools serving high school students from multiple school districts. They provide instruction in preparatory career and technical education (CTE) programs that are either too expensive or too specialized for school districts to operate individually. Each skill center is operated by a host school district, and may serve as a core campus for satellite skill center programs in underserved rural areas. Under state rule, state apportionment funding based on monthly student enrollment is paid to satellite programs through the core campus host district.

Currently, there are 14 skill centers in Washington State: Cascadia Technical Academy, Vancouver; Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center, Moses Lake; New Market Skills Center, Tumwater; NEWTECH Skills Center, Spokane; Northwest Career and Technical Academy, La Conner; Pierce County Skills Center, Bethel; Puget Sound Skills Center, Burien; Seattle Public Schools Skills Center, Seattle; Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center, Everett; Tri-Tech Skills Center, Kennewick; WaNIC Skills Center, Kirkland; Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center, Wenatchee; West Sound Technical Skills Center, Bremerton; and Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center, Yakima.

Summary of Bill: A rural satellite skill center must receive direct funding if:

the center is located at least 30 miles from a core campus or other satellite program;
the center is solely responsible for hiring staff and covering all staffing costs;
the center is solely responsible for providing facilities, equipment, materials, supplies, and training;
the center has demonstrated the ability to build successful community and local business partnerships;
the center has been operational at least one year, has completed the required feasibility study, and has secured commitments from local businesses or industries; and
the CTE Advisory Committee and local school district board of directors recommend and support the direct funding.

A core campus skill center may receive up to 7 percent of the rural satellite skill center funding for administrative purposes.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Davenport School District runs a rural satellite skill center program in partnership with the NEWTECH core campus in the Spokane School District. The Davenport skill center is in its second year and offers two programs with great success. The skill center is an important asset to the community, providing a skilled workforce in healthcare and construction trades that are much needed. The Davenport School District is currently responsible for the costs of the program, and would like to receive direct funding since it assumes the risk and responsibility. Direct funding would allow the skills center to break even and offer more programs. There is amendment language that could strengthen the bill.

OTHER: No concern with the bill but there is a need to look at this so it is beneficial to all sides of the equation when looking to move forward and incorporate skill centers into high schools.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Judy Warnick, Prime Sponsor; Jim Kowalkowski, Superintendent, Davenport School District; Sonya Falt, Student, Davenport High School; Ashley Anderson, Student, Davenport High School; Kody Foley, Student, Davenport High School; Chad Prewitt, Principal, Davenport High School; Jennifer Larmar, Chief Clinical Officer, Lincoln Hospital; Tyson Lacy, Administrator, Lincoln Hospital; Rebecca Wallace, OSPI. OTHER: Tim Knue, Washington Association for Career and Technical Education.