HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESB 6045

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to retired administrators.

Brief Description:  Allowing retired administrators to serve as replacement administrators without a reduction of pension benefits.

Sponsors:  Senators Bauer, Hochstatter, Gaspard, McAuliffe and Winsley.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  3/24/95, 3/28/95 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Brumsickle, Chairman; Elliot, Vice Chairman; Cole, Ranking Minority Member; Poulsen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clements; Dickerson; Hatfield; McMahan; Pelesky; Quall; Radcliff; Talcott; B. Thomas and Thompson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Fuhrman.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  Under current law, retired teachers and administrators under Teachers' Retirement System Plan I may serve as a substitute for up to 75 days a school year without affecting their retirement benefits.  If there is a shortage of substitute teachers, retired teachers or administrators can work an additional 15 days as substitute teachers.

Summary of Amended Bill:  A retired administrator or retired teacher under Plan I may serve as a substitute administrator for an additional 15 days without a reduction in retirement benefits if the school district board adopts a resolution declaring it cannot find a replacement administrator to fill a vacancy.  The resolution shall be valid only for the school year in which it is adopted.

Amended Bill Compared to Engrossed Bill:  The criteria for being able to allow the additional 15 days was modified.  Language was added that limits the resolution to one year and also allows retired teachers to serve as substitute administrators.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested by the Senate on February 27, 1995.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This will provide school districts needed flexibility when there are unanticipated school administrator vacancies.  This will make the provisions for retired administrators consistent with requirements for retired teachers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Peter Cutler, Department of Retirement Systems; Walter Ball, Association of Washington School Principals (pro); and Barbara Mertens, Washington Association of School Administrators (pro).