1027-S

AN ACT Relating to redirecting resources to the classroom; creating new sections; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that in order to improve student learning in Washington's public schools, school districts and the state need to take actions to ensure that the maximum amount of available funding and resources reach the classroom.

It is the intent of the legislature to redirect resources to classrooms through the reduction of state-level and school district central office administration by identifying and eliminating unnecessary state and school district administrative expenditures, and by reducing the need for these administrators through the reduction of state-mandated requirements and reporting demands.

It is the further intent of the legislature that the savings achieved through the reduction in administrative expenditures be used to increase the financial resources used for teachers, teacher assistants, and other classroom support staff, including salaries and benefits, and for textbooks, supplies, and technology used in the classroom. It is the intent of the legislature to redirect savings in administrative costs to the classroom, not to reduce funding levels for the public schools.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The joint select committee on education restructuring established in RCW 28A.630.950 shall review the current constitutional and statutory roles and responsibilities of the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education, the work force training and education coordinating board, the commission on student learning, and educational service districts, and by December 15, 1995, develop a recommendation to the legislature for creating a revised state-level education governance system. The new state-level governance system shall: (a) Focus on the improvement of student learning; (b) result in a reduction of state-level administrative expenditures; (c) provide school district staff and parents technical assistance and leadership; (d) result in minimal regulatory oversight; and (e) have clear lines of authority and accountability.

(2) The select committee shall continue its review of laws that inhibit, or do not enhance, student learning, including those that place procedural, governance, and paperwork burdens on school districts and schools.

(a) Based on its review, the select committee shall identify state statutes that inhibit, or do not enhance student learning, and make recommendations to the legislature by December 15, 1995, regarding which laws should be amended or repealed.

(b) After the 1996 legislative session, the select committee, in cooperation with the state board of education, the superintendent of public instruction, and other interested parties, shall identify state rules that inhibit, or do not enhance, student learning. The select committee shall by December 15, 1996, make recommendations to the legislature, the state board of education, and the superintendent of public instruction regarding which rules should be amended or repealed.

(3) This section shall expire December 31, 1996.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) School district boards of directors are strongly encouraged to review school district expenditures, and to take actions that will increase the percentage of district funds that are used to support the classroom. In order to assist school districts in this effort, the school district financial review program is created. The purpose of the program is to provide funding to school districts to conduct financial reviews and to develop strategies that will increase the amount of resources that are used in the classroom.

(2) The program shall be administered by the superintendent of public instruction, or a public, nonprofit, or private contractor as designated by the superintendent.

(3) The superintendent, or his or her designee, shall establish application and approval requirements for the program. A minimum fifty percent financial match shall be required of school districts. Districts with enrollments larger than five hundred full-time equivalent students that expended less than two-thirds of their total general fund expenditures on teaching and teaching support during the 1993-94 fiscal year shall receive priority in the allocation of funds.

(4) School districts that receive grants shall submit a report to the superintendent, or his or her designee, by December 31, 1995, of actions that the district has taken, or plans to take, to increase classroom expenditures. The superintendent, or his or her designee, shall summarize the information submitted by the districts and present a summary to the fiscal and education policy committees of the legislature before January 15, 1996. If one or more of the fiscal or policy committees find that adequate progress is not being made in redirecting resources to the classroom, the committee or committees shall recommend to the legislature additional measures that should be taken.

(5) The process established in subsections (1) through (4) of this section shall be repeated during calendar year 1997, with the summary in subsection (4) of this section being submitted to the legislature before December 31, 1997.

(6) This section shall expire December 31, 1997.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The sum of fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1997, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect May 1, 1995.