HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1361
BYRepresentatives Holm, Belcher, Unsoeld, Basich and Rasmussen
Creating a twenty-fourth community college district.
House Committe on Higher Education
Majority Report: Do pass. (12)
Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Barnes, Basich, Fox, Jesernig, Miller, Nelson, Prince, Silver, Unsoeld and K. Wilson.
House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)
AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 8, 1988
BACKGROUND:
Prior to 1967, community colleges were part of the common school system. In 1967, the Legislature combined 26 junior colleges and vocational-technical institutes into the community college system. The system was comprised of 22 districts, including District 12 encompassing Lewis and Thurston counties. At the time of the act, District 12 contained only Centralia Community College. In 1970, the Olympia School Board agreed to transfer responsibility for Olympia Vocational Technical Institute (OVTI) to District 12. In 1976 District 12 trustees changed the name of OVTI to Olympia Technical Community College to better reflect the school's collegiate identity. During the 1980s the name was changed once again to South Puget Sound Community College.
A bill to divide District 12 into two separate districts was introduced in 1979, and was complemented by efforts to allow OTCC to offer academic courses. The ability to offer those courses was provided, but the bill to divide the district failed.
A bill to divide District 12 into two separate districts was reintroduced in 1985. The bill did not pass, but a Senate Resolution was adopted which asked the State Board for Community College Education to study and report on the proposed division.
That report, presented to the Senate Education Committee in December of 1985, recommended that the Legislature divide District 12 into two separate districts for each of its member colleges, effective July 1, 1986. A similar recommendation was adopted by majority vote of the District 12 Board of Trustees, except that the trustees suggested a July 1, 1987 effective date.
Another bill to split the districts was introduced in 1986. Although the bill did not pass, due primarily to adverse community reaction in Lewis County, the District 12 board of trustees decentralized the two colleges' administrations in 1986. The colleges have operated as separate units for almost two years. In 1987, a Centralia College task force once again recommended splitting the districts. This time community reaction was almost uniformly positive to the separation of the two colleges.
SUMMARY:
A new community college district, District 24, is created on July 1, 1988. The district will include all of Thurston County except the Rochester and Tenino school districts and the Thurston County portion of the Centralia School District. District 12 will include Lewis County and those portions of Thurston County not included in District 24.
The District 12 governing board shall prepare a plan to accomplish the division of the district and to provide for the distribution of personnel and assets. The plan must permit the two districts to continue recruiting students in both districts for three years. By May 1, 1988, the district must submit the plan for approval to the State Board for Community College Education (SBCCE). The State Board is directed to adjudicate all contested matters before June 30, 1988.
Campus employees of both Centralia and South Puget Sound Community Colleges continue to perform their usual duties without any loss of rights. All employees of South Puget Sound Community College are assigned to District 24. The trustees of District 12 will determine the assignment of District 12 employees who are not considered campus employees. The SBCCE will determine proper assignments of these employees if questions arise.
All real, personal and tangible property, funds, credits and assets of South Puget Sound Community College are transferred to District 24, along with any appropriations made to South Puget Sound Community College. Questions about the transfer of funds and property will be determined by the SBCCE.
Trustees of District 12 residing in District 24 are transferred to positions on District 24's board and serve until they complete their existing terms of office. Additional trustees as needed will be appointed to the boards of Districts 12 and 24. All rules and pending business before South Puget Sound Community College are continued, along with existing contracts and obligations.
The SBCCE certifies any apportionment of budgeted funds required by the transfer, and state agencies overseeing those funds are directed to adjust their records and accounts in accordance with the certification.
SPSCC is transferred to District 24 on July 1, 1988. The District 12 board of trustees will coordinate decisions impacting the college with the director of the community college system. The SBCCE will take appropriate action to ensure the creation of the new district by July 1, 1988.
Fiscal Note: Requested January 19, 1988.
Effective Date:The portion of the bill requiring a plan to accomplish the division of the district takes effect immediately. The remainder of the bill takes effect on July 1, 1988.
House Committee ‑ Testified For: Dr. Henry P. Kirk, Centralia College; Dr. Kenneth Minnaert, South Puget Sound Community College; Earlyse Swift, District 12; Steve Pulkkinen, Washington Education Association; Susan Levy, Washington Federation of Teachers and Rep. Neil Amondson.
House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.
House Committee - Testimony For: The District 12 Board of Trustees decentralized the administrations of Centralia and South Puget Sound Community Colleges in July of 1986. Since that time, a significant improvement has occurred in college operations, enrollment, and faculty and staff morale, all at no additional cost to the state. The division of the two colleges into separate districts will provide each college with a Board of Trustees able to concentrate on the divergent needs of each college and the community each college serves. The division is supported by the people in Lewis and Thurston Counties; the district governing board; faculty, staff, and students at both colleges; and the State Board for Community College Education.
House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.