Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Pursuant to RCW 28A.400.380, every school district board of directors and educational service district superintendent may, in accordance with RCW 41.04.650 through 41.04.665, establish and administer a leave sharing program for their certificated and classified employees. RCW 28A.400.380 further authorizes the office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI) to adopt standards establishing (1) appropriate parameters for the program that are consistent with RCW 41.04.650 through 41.04.665, and (2) procedures to ensure that the program does not significantly increase the cost of providing leave. OSPI has adopted rules under this authority at WAC 392-126-004 through 392-126-104.

OSPI intends to amend these rules for the purpose of aligning them with the underlying statutes, RCW 41.04.650 through 41.04.665, establishing appropriate parameters and procedures for district shared leave programs, and making technical and housekeeping revisions.

Process for Developing New Rule: Early solicitation of public comments and recommendations respecting new, amended, or repealed rules, and consideration of the comments and recommendations in the course of drafting rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting T. J. Kelly, OSPI, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-725-6301, fax 360-664-3683, TTY 360-664-3631, email thomas.kelly@k12.wa.us, web site www.k12.wa.us.