HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1765

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to school district enrollment reporting dates.

Brief Description:  Changing the enrollment count day for the first reporting period of the school year.

Sponsors:  Representatives Brumsickle, Cole and Hankins.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  2/17/95, 2/24/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Brumsickle, Chairman; Elliot, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Cole, Ranking Minority Member; Poulsen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clements; Dickerson; G. Fisher; Hatfield; McMahan; Quall; Radcliff; Talcott; B. Thomas; Thompson and Veloria.

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

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  For purposes of state funding, school district enrollment is based on the annual average number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students in the district.  According to state statute, the annual average enrollment is to be calculated based on the number of students enrolled on the first school day of each month.

At the beginning of school year, some students do not enroll until one or more days after school begins.  Depending on the school district's calendar, this can result in fewer students being counted for enrollment purposes even though the school district does provide educational services to these students for most days in the month.

Summary of Bill:  Current law is amended regarding the determination of a district's annual average number of FTE students.  The first enrollment count of the school year shall be based on the district's enrollment on the second Monday of the school year or the second Monday in September, whichever is later.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 13, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  This legislation will allow school districts to make a better estimate of the state funds that they will receive, and thereby enable schools to provide better and more consistent programs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Barbara Mertens, Washington Association of School Administrators; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association; and Jean Ameluxen, Superintendent of Public Instruction.