HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 5996

As Amended by the House

BYSenators McDermott, Johnson, Fleming, Bailey, Gaspard and Wojahn

Establishing the Washington vocational technology center.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Allen, Barnes, Basich, Jesernig, Miller, Nelson, Prince, Silver, Unsoeld and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment by Committee on Higher Education.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair, Belcher, Braddock, Bristow, Ebersole, Grant, Grimm, Hine, McMullen, Niemi, Peery, Sayan, H. Sommers and Sprenkle.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (3)

      Signed by Representatives McLean, Silver and L. Smith.

House Staff:      Bill Robinson (786-7142)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 16, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Last year the Seattle Opportunities Industrialization Center (SOIC), a community-based vocational training center, filed for protection from creditors under federal bankruptcy laws.  The major asset of SOIC is a seven-story building in Seattle's Central Area which was designed for vocational and technical skills training.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Institute of Applied Technology, a vocational educational and training center, is established in Seattle.  The purposes of the institute are outlined.  The institute will operate under the laws and rules governing the state's community colleges.

The board of trustees of the Seattle community colleges may acquire facilities for the institute, if funds are available. The trustees will appoint a fifteen-member board of directors for the institute, who will receive travel and per diem.  Nine directors will represent the business community, three directors will represent the Seattle community colleges, and three will represent the Seattle School Board.  The trustees are directed to grant maximum operating flexibility to the directors, approve the institute's budget annually, and approve the directors' plan for governing and operating the institute. The trustees may require modifications to the plan prior to approval.

The powers and duties of the institute's board of directors are outlined.  The directors will have full authority and responsibility for management, policy decisions, curriculum development, and resource allocations for the institute.

Additional authorities of the directors include:  hiring a director and necessary staff; operating and managing the institute; designing and implementing programs and curriculum to be offered; initiating and conducting research on the needs of business; and evaluating the institute's programs.  The directors may also enter into contracts with school districts for the education and training of secondary students; negotiate with public and private service providers for instructional activities, and accept and expend gifts, grants and endowments.

The directors are responsible for using existing resources, as feasible, for all normal operating functions, and negotiating an agreement with the Seattle public schools and community colleges. The agreement will commit all parties to a plan for governing and operating the institute.  The plan will identify private resources available to the institute, and should specify the terms of office of the directors.  The plan should be approved by the trustees within 90 days of the bill's enactment.  By December 1, 1987, the plan, with recommendations for necessary implementing legislation, will be submitted for review to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature.

Fiscal Note:      Requested April 2, 1987.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Higher Education)  Ken Watson, Seattle School District; and Ian McGowan, Urban Business Association.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Higher Education)  Paul Locke.

Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Higher Education)  A vocational technical training facility is needed in the city of Seattle for high school students, disadvantaged students, displaced workers, and other adults.  The facility should emphasize job preparation and technical training, not academic skills.  Seattle area businesses are intrigued with the possibility of a vocational-technical facility that would work in partnership with business to meet the region's training needs.  The facility could help make the Governor's "Family Independence Program" successful.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Higher Education)  The equipment associated with high technology is expensive and is quickly dated. The seller of that equipment should work with purchasers to teach them to use it.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.