SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6242

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.

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

Establishes that, if authorized by a school district's board of directors, the annual compensation of a school board director in a district with an enrollment of 20,000 or more students may not exceed the annual salary of a legislator.
Requires school boards in districts with enrollment of 20,000 students or more to establish a daily rate if school directors receive compensation.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6242 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Hawkins, Ranking Member; Hunt, McCoy, Mullet, Pedersen, Salomon and Wagoner.

Background: Compensation for School Board Directors. If authorized by a school district board of directors resolution at a regularly scheduled meeting, the members of the board may receive compensation of $50 per day, or portion of a day, for attending board meetings and performing other services on behalf of the district. This compensation is in addition to any reimbursement for expenses.

The compensation may not exceed $4,800 per year, and only locally collected excess levy funds available for this purpose may be used to provide the compensation. Compensation for board members must not cause the state to incur any present or future funding obligation. Any director may waive part or all of their compensation.

Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials. The Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials sets the salaries of the elected officials in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of state government. Beginning July 1, 2019, the annual salary for a legislator was increased to $52,766, and will be increased to $56,881 beginning July 1, 2020.

Summary of Bill (First Substitute): If compensation is authorized by the district board of directors in a school district with a total student enrollment of 20,000 or more students, the board must establish a daily amount. The total annual compensation of a board member in a district of this size may not exceed the annual salary for a legislator as set by the Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (First Substitute):

Allows compensation up to either $50 per day and less than $5,000 per year, or at a tiered level based on district enrollment.
Requires that compensation limits be increased for inflation every five years.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: The role of the school director is incredibly important, but the current model requires that directors are basically full-time employees. More compensation would allow for greater diversity in school boards. The current model applied better to the 19th and 20th centuries. Only a select number of folks are able to serve as school board members. Compensation for directors is a question of equity. Adjusting the compensation model will allow directors to better reflect the demographics of their students, and allow for a wider pool of potential candidates. The job of director is a very complex and challenging job, even for those that are familiar with educational policy. Flexibility at the local level is key for districts to adjust to local concerns.

OTHER: Many directors see this as an opportunity for greater equity. Some directors believe that the position should be a volunteer one.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Reuven Carlyle, Prime Sponsor; Scott Heinze, Tacoma School District; Chris Reykdal, Superintendent of Public Instruction. OTHER: Marissa Rathbone, Washington State School Directors' Association.