HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 6447

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to students transferring to other school districts.

Brief Description:  Adopting a formula for transmitting funds for transfer students.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senator Prince).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, February 25, 1994, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 18 members:  Representatives Dorn, Chair; Cothern, Vice Chair; Brough, Ranking Minority Member; B. Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle; Carlson; G. Cole; Eide; Hansen; Holm; Jones; Karahalios; J. Kohl; Patterson; Pruitt; Roland; Stevens and L. Thomas.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  In 1990, legislation was enacted to increase students' and parents' options in choosing what school district students attended.  Under this "choice program," criteria were established when resident school districts were required to release students, and nonresident school districts were required to adopt policies about accepting out-of-district students.  According to a recent report from the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 1.5 percent of the student population, or 14,000 students, chose to attend schools in districts in which they did not live.

Under the 1990 legislation, school districts could require the parents of nonresident students to pay transfer fees or tuition.  In 1993, legislation was enacted prohibiting the charge of transfer fees or tuition.

Summary of Amended Bill:  State statute is amended to make it clear that school districts may reject requests from nonresident students to transfer into the district if the transfer would result in an economic hardship on the district.

The House and Senate Education Committees are directed to analyze issues relating to transfer fees for educational "choice" students, and are to report to the Legislature prior to the 1995 legislative session.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The original version required school districts to pay a transfer fee for students who transfer to another school district.  The amount of the transfer fee would be the lesser of the per student maintenance and operation levy of the resident or nonresident district.  These provisions were deleted and new sections inserted.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Under the "choice" legislation, school districts do not have the ability to reject nonresident students if the district has the physical capacity to accommodate the students.  This has created a financial hardship for some districts.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Senator Prince.