FINAL BILL REPORT

                 2SHB 1027

                         C 230 L 95

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Redirecting school administrative resources to the classroom.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Brumsickle, Carlson, Cooke, Ballasiotes, B. Thomas, Chandler, Lisk, Horn, Foreman, Dyer, Sehlin, Silver, Sherstad, Benton, Schoesler, Buck, Johnson, Thompson, Radcliff, Hickel, Backlund, Cairnes, Elliot, Pennington, Mastin, Carrell, Mitchell, K. Schmidt, Chappell, Smith, Honeyford, Blanton, D. Schmidt, Mulliken, McMorris, Clements, Fuhrman, Sheldon, Huff, Mielke, Talcott and McMahan).

House Committee on Education

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Education

Background:  The state's public education system includes multiple levels of governance and administration.  There are three permanent state-level administrative agencies, a temporary commission, Educational Service Districts, school district central offices, and building administrators.   Concerns have been expressed that these multiple layers of administration need to be reduced in size, and that the roles and responsibilities of these entities need to be prioritized and clarified.  By doing so, additional funds will be available for expenditures that more directly support classroom activities.

School districts expend funds for the costs associated with teaching, teaching support, administration, food services, grounds care, utilities, transportation, data processing, and insurance.   In the 1992-93 fiscal year, 68 percent of all district general funds was spent on teaching and teaching support, 7 percent was spent on central administration, and 6 percent was spent on building administration (principals, assistant principals, and support staff).

The Joint Select Committee on Education Restructuring was created in 1993 to oversee education reform activities and to make recommendations regarding state education laws.  It consists of six state senators and six state representatives.

Summary:

State-level Education Governance

The Joint Select Committee on Education Restructuring is directed to review the roles and responsibilities of:

--the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction;

--the State Board of Education;

-- the Commission on Student Learning;

--the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board; and

--Educational Service Districts.

Prior to December 15, 1996, the select committee is to develop a recommendation to the Legislature for creating a revised state-level education governance system. 

The new governance system is to:

--focus on the improvement of student learning;

--reduce state-level administrative expenditures;

--provide technical assistance and leadership to school district staff and parents;  --result in minimal regulatory oversight; and

--have clear lines of authority and accountability.

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

School District Financial Review Program

School districts 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. 

The program is to be administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or a contractor as designated by the superintendent.  The superintendent, or contractor, shall establish application and approval requirements.  A minimum 50 percent match is required.  Districts with enrollments greater than 500 students that spent less than two-thirds of their total general fund expenditures on teaching and teaching support shall receive priority in the allocation of funds.

School districts that receive grants are to identify what actions the district has taken, or plans to take, to increase classroom expenditures.  A summary report is to be submitted to the Legislature by January 15, 1996. 

The review process and grant program are to be repeated in 1997.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     97 0

     Senate    47 0 (Senate amended)

House     96 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  May 1, 1995