WSR 16-09-029

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed April 13, 2016, 9:36 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments to chapter 180-19 WAC, Charter schools.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 28A.710 RCW, Charter schools.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: E2SSB 6194, relating to public schools that are not common schools, made extensive amendments to chapter 28A.710 RCW, Charter schools. Technical amendments are needed to three sections of chapter 180-19 WAC to reconcile language in rule with language in chapter 28A.710 RCW as amended by E2SSB 6194. In addition, rule amendments would delete obsolete provisions in five sections of chapter 180-19 WAC related to due dates for certain actions by the state board of education (SBE), charter school authorizers, and charter applicants which were superseded, effective May 15, 2015, by provisions setting other due dates. This would be a cleanup, not affecting intent or effect, which would make these sections more understandable for readers.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Other state agencies that regulate this subject are the Washington state charter school commission, which is the statewide authorizer of charter public schools, and the superintendent of public instruction, who has certain rule-making authority for charter public schools and is a member of the commission. The SBE will consult with these agencies on the amendments to be proposed to chapter 180-19 WAC and solicit comment.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jack Archer, SBE, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 725-6035, jack.archer@k12.wa.us.

April 12, 2016

Ben Rarick

Executive Director