HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB
6074
As Reported By House Committee On:
Education
Title: An act relating to the Washington award for excellence in education program.
Brief Description: Changing the Washington award for excellence.
Sponsors: Senator Gaspard.
Brief History:
Reported by House Committee on:
Education, February 24, 1994, DPA.
HOUSE COMMITTEE
ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Dorn, Chair; Cothern, Vice Chair; Brough, Ranking Minority Member; B. Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle; Carlson; Eide; Hansen; Holm; Jones; Karahalios; J. Kohl; Pruitt; Roland; Stevens and L. Thomas.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative G. Cole.
Staff: Robert Butts (786-7111).
Background: In 1986 the Washington Award for Excellence in Education Program was created to recognize teachers, principals, superintendents and school boards for their leadership, contributions and commitment to education. In subsequent years, other administrators, educational staff associates and classified staff have been made eligible for recognition.
Under the program, in a public ceremony, each recipient receives a certificate from the Governor and Superintendent of Public Instruction. In addition, recipients may select a fiscal option to go with the certificate:
-The school district superintendent may choose between a recognition stipend up to $1,000 or an educational grant not to exceed $1,000.
-The school district board of directors may select an educational grant not to exceed $2,500.
-Teachers, principals or administrators, and classified staff may choose between: 1) an academic grant equal to actual costs of tuition and fees for up to 45-quarter/30-semester credits based on U.W. resident graduate, part-time cost per credit hour, and a $1,000 stipend if funded; 2) a recognition stipend up to $1,000; or 3) an educational grant up to $1,000.
The number of fiscal options available to recipients has made it difficult to predict program costs from one year to the next. Also, changes to the academic grant (formerly a waiver of tuition and fees) have resulted in program administrative difficulties.
Summary of Amended Bill: Beginning with 1994 recipients, the current three fiscal options available to teachers, principals and administrators, and classified staff are reduced to a single recognition award of at least $2,500. Each recipient determines how he or she will use the recognition award.
The awards for superintendents are changed to a recognition award of at least $2,500.
The $2,500 educational grant for school boards is not changed.
Recipients of a Washington Award for Excellence in Education selected prior to January 1, 1994, are not affected. However, pre-1994 recipients who have selected the academic grant option must complete any courses paid via the grant by June 30, 1998. Also, pre-1994 recipients who have selected the academic grant may, subject to funds being available, convert the remaining value of the grant into a recognition award.
Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The amendment increased the recognition award for superintendents from not more than $1000 to not less than $2,500, which is consistent with the awards for other recipients.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect April 1, 1994.