FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5240

FULL VETO

As Passed Legislature

Brief Description: Including a classified employee on the Washington professional educator standards board.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Zarelli, McAuliffe, Schmidt, Eide, Benton, Carlson, Keiser, Mulliken, Kohl-Welles, Stevens, Winsley, Hale, Roach and Poulsen).

Senate Committee on Education

House Committee on Education

Background: In 2002, the Legislature created the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to advise the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and the State Board of Education on issues related to educators. The PESB is composed of 19 voting members, appointed by the Governor: seven public school teachers, one private school teacher, three representatives of educator preparation programs at institutions of higher education, four school administrators, two educational staff associates, one parent, and one member of the public. Except for the parent and public member, each voting member must be actively employed in the position and have at least three years of experience in Washington schools. Additionally, the SPI is a nonvoting member of the PESB.

Summary: A classified employee, who assists in public school student instruction, is added as a voting member to the PESB, replacing the "public" member. The classified employee must meet the same criteria as the other members, i.e., actively employed in the position and having at least three years of experience.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       48  0

House       96  0

Votes on Veto Override:

Senate       49  0