[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the use of student achievement funds; and amending RCW 28A.505.210.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 28A.505.210 and 2001 c 3 s 3 (Initiative Measure No. 728) are each amended to read as follows:

School districts shall have the authority to decide the best use of student achievement funds to assist students in meeting and exceeding the new, higher academic standards in each district consistent with the provisions of chapter 3, Laws of 2001.

(1) Student achievement funds shall be allocated for the following uses:

(a) To reduce class size by hiring certificated elementary classroom teachers in grades K-4 and paying nonemployee-related costs associated with those new teachers;

(b) To make selected reductions in class size in grades 5-12, such as small high school writing classes;

(c) To provide extended learning opportunities to improve student academic achievement in grades K-12, including, but not limited to, extended school year, extended school day, before-and-after-school programs, special tutoring programs, weekend school programs, summer school, and all-day kindergarten;

(d) To provide additional professional development for educators, including additional paid time for curriculum and lesson redesign and alignment, training to ensure that instruction is aligned with state standards and student needs, reimbursement for higher education costs related to enhancing teaching skills and knowledge, and mentoring programs to match teachers with skilled, master teachers. The funding shall not be used for salary increases or additional compensation for existing teaching duties, but may be used for extended year and extended day teaching contracts;

(e) To provide early assistance for children who need prekindergarten support in order to be successful in school;

(f) To provide housing allowances for nonsupervisory classified and certificated public school employees as follows:

(i) Individual payment of the housing allowance to nonsupervisory classified and certificated employees is subject to collective bargaining but shall be paid only to actively employed nonsupervisory classified and certificated employees; and

(ii) The housing allowance shall not be considered as within the definition of basic education for the purposes of chapter 28A.150 RCW, nor is it earnable compensation as defined in RCW 41.32.010 or compensation earnable as defined in RCW 41.40.010; and

(g) To provide improvements or additions to school building facilities which are directly related to the class size reductions and extended learning opportunities under (a) through (c) of this subsection.

(2) Annually on or before May 1st, the school district board of directors shall meet at the time and place designated for the purpose of a public hearing on the proposed use of these funds to improve student achievement for the coming year. Any person may appear or by written submission have the opportunity to comment on the proposed plan for the use of these funds. No later than August 31st, as a part of the process under RCW 28A.505.060, each school district shall adopt a plan for the use of these funds for the upcoming school year. Annually, each school district shall provide to the citizens of their district a public accounting of the funds made available to the district during the previous school year under chapter 3, Laws of 2001, how the funds were used, and the progress the district has made in increasing student achievement, as measured by required state assessments and other assessments deemed appropriate by the district. Copies of this report shall be provided to the superintendent of public instruction and to the academic achievement and accountability commission.