HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1223

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to the state board of education office staff.

Brief Description:  Changing state board of education staff provisions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Brumsickle, Cole, B. Thomas, Silver and Carlson; by request of Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  1/27/95, 2/7/95 [DP].

  Floor Activity:

     Passed House:  3/7/95, 96-0.

Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 19 members:  Representatives Brumsickle, Chairman; Elliot, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Cole, Ranking Minority Member; Poulsen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clements; Dickerson; G. Fisher; Fuhrman; Hatfield; McMahan; Pelesky; Quall; Radcliff; Smith; Talcott; B. Thomas; Thompson and Veloria.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  Under current law, the State Board of Education (SBE) is authorized to appoint only an "ex officio secretary," who is to keep a record of board proceedings.  Other staff assisting the SBE are employed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The SBE would like the authority to appoint and employ its executive director and other staff.

Summary of Bill:  The SBE is directed to appoint or employ an executive director, who also shall serve as the board's secretary.  The SBE also is directed to appoint or employ other assistants to perform board duties, including duties involving supervision over matters pertaining to the public schools as the Superintendent of Public Instruction may delegate to the SBE. 

The executive director and his or her confidential secretary are exempt from civil service.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This legislation will allow the SBE to select its staff.   It will help ensure that the board continues to get qualified staff with the appropriate expertise.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:   Millard Battles, State Board of Education.