FINAL BILL REPORT

ESSB 6558

C 209 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for the governance of the Washington state school for the deaf.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl‑Welles, Carlson and Hargrove; by request of Governor Locke).

Senate Committee on Education

House Committee on Children & Family Services

Background:  The Washington State School for the Deaf (WSD) is located in Vancouver, Washington, and serves to educate and train hearing impaired children.  Under current law, the WSD is managed by a superintendent appointed by the Governor.  Additionally, the WSD has a Board of Trustees, also appointed by the Governor, that includes nine voting members with one from each of the state's congressional districts (who serve subject to Senate consent) and four nonvoting members.  The Board of Trustees serves in an advisory role only, making recommendations to the Legislature and superintendent regarding the development of programs for the hearing impaired and the operation of the WSD.

Summary:  The powers and duties of the WSD Board of Trustees and superintendent are changed.  The superintendent must supervise and manage the WSD; however, many of the superintendent's duties require Board of Trustees' approval.  The Board of Trustees must provide oversight to the Legislature and Governor of the WSD.  Additionally, the Board of Trustees has approval authority over the superintendent's recommended course of study at the WSD and the rules governing the operation of the WSD's residential facilities.

Language regarding the composition of the board is changed; the board is still composed of nine voting members, with one from each of the state's congressional districts.  However, when making appointments to the board, the Governor may appoint members from specified stakeholder groups.  Additionally, reference to the four nonvoting members is deleted.

Finally, the board must:  (1) report on a biennial basis to both the Legislature and the Governor regarding the status of the WSD's operations, (2) oversee the development and implementation of a quality improvement plan, (3) monitor enforcement of education civil rights laws at the school, and (4) submit a biennial evaluation of the superintendent to the Governor and may recommend to the Governor the removal of the superintendent.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate480

House950(House amended)

Senate450(Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 1, 2002