SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5862

As of February 24, 2003

Title: An act relating to state board of education membership.

Brief Description: Providing for citizen election of members of the state board of education and increasing the number of board members to two per congressional district.

Sponsors: Senator Roach.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Education: 3/5/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: Forty-eight states in the United States have a state board of education (SBE). The SBE members are appointed by the governor in 29 states; elected by the citizenry in ten states; and appointed by the legislature in three states. Five states have some combination of appointments or appointments and citizen elections. Washington is the only state where the majority of the SBE members are elected by the local school directors.

In Washington, the SBE is comprised of 11 voting members, as set by statute, and three non-voting members. Nine of the SBE members are elected by the local school directors within each of the state's nine congressional districts. Each school director's vote is weighted according to the number of enrolled students in the director's school district. Other members of the SBE include a private school representative, who is elected by the members of the boards of directors of approved private schools in the state, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI). Both of these members have limited voting authority. By SBE rule, there are also three nonvoting members: the Governor or the Governor's designee, and two high school students annually appointed by the Washington State Association of Student Councils.

The responsibilities of the State Board of Education include establishing policies and standards for the training and certification of educators, determining minimum high school graduation requirements (including when the Certificate of Mastery becomes a graduation requirement), voluntary accreditation of public schools, approval of private schools, monitoring basic education compliance, allocating school construction funds, and assisting with school district boundaries decisions.

Summary of Bill: The size of the SBE is increased to 18 members. Two nonpartisan representatives from each of the congressional districts are elected by the voters within the congressional district at a general election. Provisions for the first transitional election and for filling vacancies are provided. There is no provision for a private school representative. The membership of the SPI, the Governor, and the high school students is unaffected.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 23, 2003.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.