SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5538

               As Passed Senate, March 10, 1995

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

Brief Description:  Changing state board of education staff provisions.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Pelz and Rasmussen; by request of Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  1/27/95, 2/7/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/10/95, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Pelz, Vice Chair; Finkbeiner, Gaspard, Hochstatter, Johnson and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

Background:  Under current law, the State Board of Education  is authorized to appoint only an "ex officio secretary" to keep a record of the board's proceedings.  Other staff assisting the State Board have been employed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Summary of Bill:  The State Board of Education is directed to appoint or employ an executive director, who also must serve as the board's secretary.  The board is directed to appoint or employ other staff to perform the duties of the board.  These duties may include other responsibilities involving supervision over matters pertaining to the public schools delegated to the board by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

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 is a straightforward request to clarify the authority of the State Board to hire its own staff.  This measure is supported by Superintendent Billings.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Millard Battles, President, State Board of Education (pro).