S-1910

AN ACT Relating to site-based councils; adding new sections to chapter 28A.240 RCW; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that in order to achieve the goal of reforming the public schools, each citizen of the state must accept the commitment of developing our most important resource, our children. The legislature further finds that part of building this commitment includes having persons in the field of education form partnerships with other persons in the community. To build a learning community, and develop this commitment, the legislature intends:

(1) That school boards of directors, school administrators, teachers, employee unions, and members of the community find new ways of working collaboratively, changing existing policies and agreements where appropriate;

(2) To encourage the creation of site-based councils, where parents, teachers, and citizens will join to make decisions for our schools; and

(3) To give school districts and schools broad discretion in establishing their site-based councils but consistent with the limitations under section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) A site-based council may be established at one or more schools if the school district board of directors has adopted a policy authorizing site-based councils. The school district board of directors has final authority in establishing the parameters and areas of involvement accorded to school site-based councils.

(2) The policy adopted by a school district board of directors may include but is not limited to:

(a) Procedures for forming a site-based council and official recognition of the council by the district;

(b) Membership of the site-based council including the principal, certificated and classified staff, students in secondary schools, parents, and persons in the community. Existing organizations may be used to form the site-based council;

(c) Designation of activities with which site-based councils may become involved, such as: Student assessment, parent involvement, and developing community schools; and

(d) Delegation of authority to site-based councils to adopt their own bylaws and charter.

(3) School district boards of directors shall not delegate to site-based councils the authority to make personnel decisions regarding either instructional, administrative or classified staff.

(4) A school board shall only delegate authority over budget decisions to a site-based council if the authority is clearly defined in writing, if the authority is limited to a one-year period but may be renewed annually with the approval of the board, and if the authority of the site-based council is limited to decisions at the building level.

(5) Each school district board of directors deciding to adopt a policy authorizing site-based councils shall provide, by resolution, plans for attendance policies that are consistent with the requirements of any desegregation plan in order to promote stability for schools with site-based councils.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. If modifications to existing local bargaining agreements are necessary to implement school site-based councils, those modifications shall be clearly stated in the written agreement between the school district board of directors and the exclusive bargaining representative for district certificated instructional staff.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) Schools with site-based councils may receive funds to provide resources for restructuring their educational programs. The superintendent of public instruction shall allocate funds, as are appropriated for this purpose, to school districts to distribute to the schools with site-based councils.

(2) School districts shall submit reports about the plans and use of funds to the superintendent of public instruction. The superintendent of public instruction may transmit information to other schools and school districts through the state clearinghouse for educational information and assistance.

(3) The superintendent of public instruction may provide technical assistance under this section to any school or school district establishing or using a site-based council.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 2 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 28A.240 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by June 30, 1991, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act shall be null and void.