SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 1532

                              AS OF APRIL 1, 1991

Brief Description:  Granting temporary waivers of school day requirements for missed days due to snow.

SPONSORS:House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Dorn, Brumsickle, Ferguson, Pruitt, Neher, Basich, Peery, Grant, R. Meyers, Orr, H. Myers, Leonard, Roland, Morris, G. Fisher, Phillips, Scott, Paris and Winsley).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)

Hearing Dates:April 2, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, school districts are required to provide a 180-day school year and meet certain requirements regarding total program hour offerings, course mix and percentage requirements, and teacher contact hours.  If schools close because of adverse weather conditions, schools must provide students with the opportunity to attend school for the number of days of school closure.  Schools could hold school days during vacations or at the end of the school year.  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) may waive the 180-day requirement for unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters or events such as arson, bombings, etc.

Many feel that teachers should receive more opportunities for expanded staff development time.

SUMMARY:

For the 1990-91 school year only, school districts may provide additional days of staff development for all certificated and classified staff if a school closure occurred in the 1990-1991 school year due to adverse weather conditions.

Specifically, the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is required to waive the requirements of a 180-day school year and to reduce the amount of total program hour offerings and teacher contact hours required for the 1990-1991 school year only for school districts that meet the following conditions:

a)School closure is due to adverse weather conditions, such as snow or freezing weather;

b)The school district provides a 178-day school year and an equivalent amount in total program hour offerings and teacher contact hours;

c)The school district submits to SPI a staff development program plan relating to educational reform before June 1, 1991.  The plan must provide for staff development for all certificated and classified staff for a time period equivalent to the time period of school closure up to a maximum of two days and must provide that the program will be offered to the teachers and classified employees before September 1, 1991.  If the staff development plans meet the conditions, the plans are not subject to approval or disapproval by SPI.

The act expires August 31, 1991.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available