1027-S2 AAS 4/13/95 S3063.1

1027-S2 AAS 4/13/95 S3063.1

2SHB 1027 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Education

ADOPTED 4/13/95

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that in order to improve student learning in Washington's public schools, school districts and the state need to take actions to use the maximum amount of available funding and resources to improve student achievement. The legislature intends to study the state-level education governance system to improve student learning and to reduce unnecessary regulatory oversight. The legislature also finds that if school districts are encouraged to review their expenditures, school districts can develop strategies that will increase the amount of resources used in the classroom.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The joint select committee on education restructuring established in RCW 28A.630.950 shall review the current constitutional and statutory roles and responsibilities of the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education, the work force training and education coordinating board, the commission on student learning, and educational service districts, and by December 15, 1996, develop a recommendation to the legislature for creating a revised state-level education governance system. The new state-level governance system shall: (a) Focus on the improvement of student learning; (b) result in a reduction of state-level administrative expenditures; (c) provide school district staff and parents technical assistance and leadership; (d) result in minimal regulatory oversight; and (e) have clear lines of authority and accountability.

(2) The select committee may continue its review of laws that inhibit, or do not enhance, student learning.

(3) This section shall expire December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) School district boards of directors are strongly encouraged to review school district expenditures, and to take actions that will increase the percentage of district funds that are used to support the classroom. In order to assist school districts in this effort, the school district financial review program is created. The purpose of the program is to provide funding to school districts to conduct financial reviews and to develop strategies that will increase the amount of resources that are used in the classroom.

(2) The program shall be administered by the superintendent of public instruction, or a public, nonprofit, or private contractor as designated by the superintendent.

(3) The superintendent, or his or her designee, shall establish application and approval requirements for the program. A minimum fifty percent financial match shall be required of school districts. Districts with enrollments larger than five hundred full-time equivalent students that expended less than two-thirds of their total general fund expenditures on teaching and teaching support during the 1993-94 fiscal year shall receive priority in the allocation of funds.

(4) School districts that receive grants shall submit a report to the superintendent, or his or her designee, by December 31, 1995, of actions that the district has taken, or plans to take, to increase classroom expenditures. The superintendent, or his or her designee, shall summarize the information submitted by the districts and present a summary to the fiscal and education policy committees of the legislature before January 15, 1996. If one or more of the fiscal or policy committees find that adequate progress is not being made in redirecting resources to the classroom, the committee or committees shall recommend to the legislature additional measures that should be taken.

(5) The process established in subsections (1) through (4) of this section shall be repeated during calendar year 1997, with the summary in subsection (4) of this section being submitted to the legislature before December 31, 1997.

(6) This section shall expire December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by June 30, 1995, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect May 1, 1995."

2SHB 1027 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Education

ADOPTED 4/13/95

On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "classroom;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "creating new sections; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency."