SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6074

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1994

Brief Description:  Changing the Washington award for excellence.

SPONSORS: Senator Gaspard

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     Signed by Senators Pelz, Chairman; McAuliffe, Vice Chairman; Gaspard, Hochstatter, McDonald, Moyer, Nelson, M. Rasmussen, Rinehart, Skratek, A. Smith and Winsley.

Staff:  Larry Davis (786‑7422)

Hearing Dates: January 21, 1994; January 28, 1994

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chairman; Quigley, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Gaspard, Hochstatter, McDonald, Moyer, Niemi, Pelz, Roach, Snyder, Spanel, Sutherland, Talmadge, West, Williams and Wojahn.

Staff:  Bill Freund (786-7441)

Hearing Dates: February 7, 1994; February 8, 1994

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

BACKGROUND:

In 1986, the Washington Award for Excellence in Education Program was created to recognize teachers and principals, a superintendent, and a school board for their leadership, contributions, and commitment to education.  In subsequent years, administrators other than principals, 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.  Simplifying the fiscal options will make budgeting for the program more predictable and ease program administration.

SUMMARY:

Beginning with 1994 recipients, the current three fiscal options available to teachers, principals or administrators, classified staff, and the superintendent are reduced to a single recognition award of at least $2,500 for teachers, principals or administrators, and classified staff, and no more than $1,000 for the district superintendent.  Each recipient determines how he or she will use the recognition award.

The $2,500 educational grant for the recognized school board 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.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  April 1, 1994

TESTIMONY FOR:

The changes to the program will make the cost of the program more determinable and will reduce confusion in explaining to recipients their fiscal options.  Program costs will be reduced beginning the 1995-97 biennium and beyond as a result of the changes.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Susan Patrick, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; John Klacik, Higher Education Coordinating Board; Lynn McKinnon, Public School Employees of Washington

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

The fiscal award for the recognized superintendent is increased from $1,000 to $2,500, making it equal to the fiscal award for other recognized education professionals.