WSR 16-19-084
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
[Filed September 20, 2016, 1:38 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 180-18-040 Waivers from minimum one hundred eighty-day school year requirement and 180-18-050 Procedure to obtain waiver.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28A.305.140, 28A.655.180.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In November 2012 the state board of education (SBE) adopted rules to WAC 180-18-040 and 180-18-050 as WSR 12-24-049. These rules established criteria for evaluation of the need for the waiver, in compliance with RCW 28A.305.140(2), modified procedures for obtaining a waiver, and created a simplified procedure for obtaining waivers for the sole purpose of parent-teacher conferences. With experience in implementing these rules, SBE has identified opportunities for amendments to WAC 180-18-040 and 180-18-050 that will resolve certain questions that have arisen about interpretation of the current rules and provide greater clarity for school districts in applying for waivers and for the board in evaluating and making decisions on the waiver requests received.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The office of superintendent of public instruction and the Washington State School Directors Association. SBE staff will provide copies of any draft amendments to those agencies for review and comment.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kaaren Heikes, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail kaaren.heikes@k12.wa.us, (360) 725-6029. SBE staff will solicit comment from interested persons on any draft rules that may [be] prepared amending these two sections of WAC.
September 20, 2016
Ben Rarick
Executive Director