Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 1665

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 Description: Increasing compensation for school directors in districts enrolling twenty thousand or more students.

Sponsors: Representatives Carlyle, Lytton and Pollet.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Increases the cap on compensation for school board directors in districts with enrollment of 20,000 or more.

Hearing Date: 2/9/15

Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).

Background:

Compensation for School Board Directors.

If authorized by board resolution at a regularly scheduled meeting, the members of a school district board of directors may receive compensation of $50 per day, or portion of a day, for attending board meetings and for performing other services on behalf of the district. Compensation may not exceed $4800 per year. This compensation is in addition to any reimbursement for expenses.

A board of directors may authorize such compensation only from locally collected excess levy funds available for that purpose. Compensation for board members shall not cause the state to incur any present or future funding obligation.

Any director may waive part or all of his or her compensation.

Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials.

The Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials (Commission) sets the salaries of the elected officials in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of state government including:

The current annual salary for a legislator is set at $42,106. Salaries for the next two years are scheduled to be voted upon in May of 2015. The Commission's proposal, that will be voted upon at that meeting, would set the annual salary for a legislator at $45,474 beginning September 1, 2015, and at $46,839 beginning on September 1, 2016.

Summary of Bill:

If authorized by board resolution at a regularly scheduled meeting, each member of a school board of directors of a school district that enrolls 20,000 students or more may receive compensation for each day, or portion of a day, for attending board meetings and for performing other services on behalf of the district in an amount that does not exceed the annual salary for a legislator as set by the Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials (Commission).

Compensation rates for school board directors in districts enrolling fewer than 20,000 students remains capped at $50 per day or portion of a day, and $4,800 annually.

Regardless of the amount of the compensation allowed: a board of directors may authorize such compensation only from locally collected levy funds available for that purpose; compensation shall not cause the state to incur any funding obligation; and, a director may waive part or all of his or her compensation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.