HOUSE BILL REPORT
2SHB 1027
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to redirecting resources to the classroom.
Brief Description: Redirecting school administrative resources to the classroom.
Sponsors: By 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).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Education: 1/10/95, 1/19/95 [DPS];
Appropriations: 2/13/95, 2/16/95 [DP2S(w/o sub ED)].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/27/95, 97-0.
Senate Amended.
House Concurred.
Passed Legislature.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 17 members: Representatives Brumsickle, Chair; Elliot, Vice Chair; Johnson, Vice Chair; Cole, Ranking Minority Member; Clements; Dickerson; G. Fisher; Fuhrman; McMahan; Pelesky; Quall; Radcliff; Smith; Talcott; B. Thomas; Thompson and Veloria.
Staff: Robert Butts (786-7111).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report. The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Education. Signed by 28 members: Representatives Silver, Chairman; Clements, Vice Chairman; Huff, Vice Chairman; Pelesky, Vice Chairman; Sommers, Ranking Minority Member; Valle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Beeksma; Brumsickle; Carlson; Chappell; Cooke; Crouse; G. Fisher; Foreman; Hargrove; Hickel; Jacobsen; Lisk; McMorris; Poulsen; Reams; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan; Talcott; Thibaudeau and Wolfe.
Staff: Jack Daray (786-7178).
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, support staff).
Summary of Bill:
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;
-- result in a reduction of 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 expended 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.
If funding for the bill is not provided in the operating budget, the bill will be null and void.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Bill: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on May 1, 1995, however the bill is null and void if not funded in the operating budget.
Testimony For: (Education) This is long overdue. School districts have too many administrators: the priority should be on textbooks, supplies, and technology. A 30 percent cut in administrative expenses is a reasonable target.
(Appropriations) In depth study so that spending patterns are clear to all.
Testimony Against: (Education) The original legislation creates an unfunded mandate on school districts, and would create more paperwork. If you are angry about high administrative expenses, be mad at school boards: don't pass legislation that would create another mandate.
(Appropriations) None.
Testified: (Education) Frank Deebach, Superintendent, ESD 114 (supports governance review); Candy Curl, State Board of Education (concerns); Walter Ball, Association of Washington School Principals (concerns); Lynn Harsh, Evergreen Foundation (supports concept); Ray Tobiason and Barbara Mertens, Washington Association of School Administrators (concerns); Chris Shardelman, citizen (pro); Lynn McKinnon, Public School Employees (supports concept); Judy Hartmann, Washington Education Association (supports concept); Bernie Rodgers, Superintendent, Adna School District; Carter Burns, citizen (supports); and Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association (concerns).
(Appropriations) Representative Bill Brumsickle, prime sponsor; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association; and Barbara Mertens, Washington Association of School Administrators.