SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6177

            AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 5, 1992

Brief Description:  Regarding site‑based councils.

SPONSORS: Senators Skratek, Bailey, Rinehart, Murray, Pelz and A. Smith

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6177 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Erwin, Vice Chairman; Murray, Oke, Pelz, Rinehart, and A. Smith.

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)

Hearing Dates: January 29, 1992; February 5, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Changing the way schools are managed has been suggested as an important part of restructuring our schools.  Shared decision-making through site-based councils has been suggested as a way of involving principals, teachers, parents and community members in school governance.  The assumption behind the school-based management model is that greater decision-making authority at the school level will enable each school to respond to the needs of its unique student population by combining the expertise of school professionals and the involvement of parents and the community.  Also, it has been suggested that time for participation in site-based governance by both school employees and citizens will promote the success of site-based school councils.

SUMMARY:

School district boards of directors may adopt policies establishing school site-based councils.  The school district board of directors has the final authority to determine the powers and duties of the site-based council.  The policies adopted by the school board may include:  procedures for forming a council, membership of the council, designation of activities, authority to adopt bylaws and a charter, and provisions for educating members of councils.  Authority to make personnel decisions cannot be delegated to site-based councils.

Schools with site-based councils are eligible to apply for funds from the Superintendent of Public Instruction to help support restructuring efforts.  If funds are available the superintendent shall provide technical assistance to implement site-based councils, help develop community schools, and  assist in areas such as curriculum development, instructional strategies, assessment of student performance, and program evaluation.  Site-councils shall adopt plans for community service.

Employers are required to grant up to 32 hours of paid school governance leave during any two-year period for an employee to participate as an elected or appointed officer in local school governance organizations.  Local school governance organizations include site-based councils, school boards, and parent-teacher organizations.  Employees must give employers 30 days notice before using the leave.

The statutory definition of program hour is expanded to include staff participation in site-based councils.

The statutory self-study requirement, teacher classroom contact hour requirements, and the minimum 180-day school year requirement and program hour offerings requirements are waived for districts submitting restructuring plans that include:  policies for site-based councils and increased plans, standards, and methods for measuring those standards for improved student achievement.  A district must maintain an instructional hour offering of 450 hours in kindergarten and a districtwide average of 1,000 instructional hours grades one through 12.  Plans shall also include evidence of cooperation among the board of directors, teachers, administrators, classified employees and community members.  The waivers may be renewed every two years. 

Statutes creating the school-based management pilot project program which has been completed are repealed.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The provisions requiring employers to provide school governance leave are deleted. 

The language including participation in site-based councils in the definition of program hour is deleted.

The two appropriations of $49,000 are each reduced to $24,500.

Appropriation:  $24,500 for REACH grants; $24,500 for technical assistance

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 24, 1992

TESTIMONY FOR:

There are districts in this state such as Bellevue that have a history of effective site-based management.  Restructuring needs to occur from the bottom up.  Consensus building is important.  Some of the most effective principals are those who use the site-based management mode.  Community service will help both the students, schools and the community.  This bill reflects a way to increase parental involvement.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Senator Skratek; Marcia Holland, Washington State PTA; Lynn McKinnon, Public School Employees; Linda Owens, volunteer parent; Cinnamon Bloss, Sarah Campbell, Vivendi International; Walter Ball, Association of Washington School Principals; Michael Coleman, Bellevue/WEA