Z-0273.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1533

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

By Representatives Brumsickle, Cole, Talcott, Dickerson and Poulsen; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Read first time 01/30/95.  Referred to Committee on Education.

Changing school district cooperative programs.

    AN ACT Relating to cooperation among school districts; and amending RCW 28A.225.250 and 28A.335.160.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 28A.225.250 and 1969 c 130 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

    ((Notwithstanding any other provision of law,)) The state superintendent of public instruction ((is directed and authorized to)) may develop and adopt rules ((and regulations to implement such voluntary, tuition free attendance programs among school districts that he deems necessary for the expressed purpose of:)) governing school district cooperation under this section.

    (1) Cooperative programs or services shall be operated for the purpose of:

(a) Providing educational opportunities, including vocational skills programs, not otherwise provided;

    (((2))) (b) Avoiding unnecessary duplication of specialized or unusually expensive educational programs and facilities; or

    (((3))) (c) Improving racial balance within and among school districts((:  PROVIDED, That no voluntary, tuition free attendance program among school districts developed by the superintendent of public instruction shall be instituted unless such program receives the approval of the boards of directors of the districts)).

(2) Cooperative programs or services may be operated:

(a) Either as part of the operation of a joint facility pursuant to RCW 28A.335.160 or otherwise; and

(b) Either on a full-time or part-time attendance basis.

(3) School district participation in such cooperative programs or services requires written approval of the school district's board of directors.

(4) Students enrolled in cooperative programs or services and residing in school districts participating in such cooperative programs or services shall not be required to pay transfer fees pursuant to RCW 28A.225.220(6).

(5) School district budgeting, accounting, enrollment reporting, and financial reporting for cooperative programs or services shall comply with rules of the superintendent of public instruction.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 28A.335.160 and 1990 c 33 s 359 are each amended to read as follows:

    Any school district may cooperate with one or more school districts in the ((following:

    (1) The)) joint financing, planning, construction, equipping and operating of any educational facility otherwise authorized by law:  PROVIDED, That any cooperative financing plan involving the construction of school plant facilities must be approved by the state board of education pursuant to such rules as may now or hereafter be promulgated relating to state approval of school construction.

    (((2) The joint maintenance and operation of educational programs or services (a) either as a part of the operation of a joint facility or otherwise, (b) either on a full or part time attendance basis, and (c) either on a regular one hundred eighty day school year or extended school year:  PROVIDED, That any such joint program or service must be operated pursuant to a written agreement approved by the superintendent of public instruction pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated therefor.  In establishing rules and regulations the state superintendent shall consider, among such other factors as the superintendent deems appropriate, the economic feasibility of said services and programs, the educational and administrative scope of said agreement and the need for said programs or services.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, the state superintendent of public instruction shall establish rules and regulations for the apportionment of attendance credits for such students as are enrolled in a jointly operated facility or program, including apportionment for approved part time and extended school year attendance.))

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