FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5075

                          C 115 L 95

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Appropriating funds for emergency construction of Crown Hill elementary school.

Sponsors:  Senators Owen, Sheldon and Oke.

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  The Crown Hill School in the Bremerton School District was approved for state matching funds by the State Board of Education prior to the 1993-95 biennium.  The 1993-95 capital budget provided sufficient appropriation authority to fund school construction projects on the state prioritized list of projects up to and beyond Crown Hill's place on the list.  Subsequent to the initial 1993-95 budget, and again following the 1994 supplemental budget, downward revisions to the timber revenue forecast by the Department of Natural Resources have forced the State Board of Education to postpone release of school construction funds.  At the current level of funding, the Crown Hill project will not receive funding in this biennium.

On July 13, 1993, prior to the revenue forecast adjustments, Crown Hill School was partially destroyed by fire.  In replanning the project, the school district decided to raze the entire building and rebuild with resources from the anticipated state funds, and from the proceeds of an insurance settlement.  The lack of state resources following the sequence of events has left the school unfinished and students housed in temporary facilities.

In addition to the Crown Hill project, the Bremerton School District has three other projects on the state prioritization list that have been approved for state funding.  These projects have been completed with local funds, and the district is waiting for the state to provide sufficient resources to compensate the district for the state share of the projects.

Summary:  $5,520,000 is appropriated to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development to fund emergency school construction at Crown Hill Elementary School in the Bremerton School District.  When the State Board of Education releases funds any time after the effective date of this act, the appropriation in this act must be repaid to the state General Fund.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    46 0

House     93 2

Effective:  April 20, 1995