HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2217

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 Bill

Changes the name of a staff allocation in the prototypical school funding model from "parent involvement coordinator" to "family and community engagement coordinator" (FCEC).
Encourages school districts to use the FCECs to coordinate partnerships between schools and community-based organizations to expand programs using school facilities outside the regular school day or year.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Santos, Chair; Stonier, Vice Chair; Dahlquist, Ranking Minority Member; Magendanz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Haigh, Hargrove, Hawkins, Hayes, Klippert, Muri, Orwall, Parker, Pollet, Seaquist and Warnick.

Background:

State funding for Basic Education is allocated through a funding formula based on assumed class size and the administrative, instructional, and classified staff needed for a prototypical elementary, middle, or high school of a particular size. There are also assumptions about non-staff costs, district-wide support, central administration, and special programs.

One of the building-level staff allocations is a parent involvement coordinator. In the 2013-15 biennial budget, a new allocation was established providing 0.0825 full-time equivalent staff for this position in a prototypical elementary school of 400 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. There is no definition or description of the duties of a parent involvement coordinator. The funding formulas are for allocation purposes only; school districts make their own actual staffing decisions.

Statutes pertaining to the Learning Assistance Program (LAP) reference "parent and family engagement coordinators," whose duties include conducting outreach activities and support for parents.

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Summary of Bill:

A prototypical school funding formula staffing allocation is renamed from "parent involvement coordinator" to "family and community engagement coordinator" (FCEC). A similar staffing reference in the LAP is also renamed.

School districts are encouraged to use the FCECs to coordinate partnerships between schools, the school district, and community-based organizations in order to expand program offerings using school facilities outside of the regular school day or year.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The purpose of the bill is to encourage better use of existing school facilities for partnerships with community organizations. Schools are vital centers within a community that bring people together. The intent language is important because it explains the need to forge stronger partnerships between schools, communities, and families. Family engagement is a key principle. Changing the staffing allocation from "parent involvement coordinator" to "family and community engagement coordinator" more clearly communicates the role of these individuals.

Organizations have tried to gain access to school buildings for non-school events. Some efforts have been successful, but it depends on individual administrators. The language in the bill encouraging collaboration in the use of school facilities is important. The school is a community hub. The buildings have been paid for by the community and should be used. Even though this is a minor change, anything that encourages increased collaboration between community-based organizations and schools is important. The role of such a coordinator is to promote partnerships, allow schools to leverage local resources, and expand offerings for at-risk students.

(Opposed) None.