SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2736

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Education, February 22, 1996

Title:  An act relating to recommendations of the joint select committee on education restructuring.

Brief Description:  Adopting recommendations of the joint select committee on education restructuring.

Sponsors:  Representatives Radcliff, B. Thomas, Cole, Elliot, Linville, Hatfield, Poulsen, Veloria, Blanton, Conway, Regala, Scheuerman and Costa.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/20/96, 2/22/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Johnson, Pelz and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background:  Prior to 1992, school districts generally needed specific statutory authority to act.  In 1992, the Legislature granted school districts a broader discretionary power to act so long as the action is not in conflict with other law and the action promotes education in public schools or promotes effective and safe management of school districts.  However, current statutes still contain numerous specific grants of authority.

During the 1995 interim, the Joint Select Committee on Education Restructuring reviewed selected school district governance statutes to determine which were not needed due to the increase in powers granted to school boards in 1992.  The bill contains the recommendations of the committee.  

Summary of Bill:  Language requiring the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop an annual school performance report is deleted.  The requirement that the Educational Service District (ESD) receive a copy of the school district superintendent's oath is deleted.  Separate statutes specifying how first and second class districts must make payments are consolidated.

Selected language providing specific authority for school districts to act is repealed, including language detailing selected duties of the board of directors; allowing districts to provide libraries; specifying qualifications of electors and voting places; providing procedures for special meetings of voters; providing procedures for electing board officers; specifying duties of board officers; requiring an auditing committee; enumerating several general powers of districts; and requiring notification of the ESD when the board chair or district superintendent changes.  However, school districts retain the general authority to act in these circumstances. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  This bill repeals specific authority of school boards and renders them powerless.  The responsibility of school boards will shift to site councils.  Site councils are not accountable because they are not elected.

Testified:  CON:  Marda Kirkwood, Citizens United for Responsible Education; Ann Murphy, School Board, Federal Way; Joanne McCann, WA Parents Coalition for Academic Excellence; Lloyd Gardner, citizen.