BILL REQ. #:  H-4237.2 

Read first time 01/23/2004.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to creating a joint task force on K-12 finance; creating new sections; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that more than a quarter of a century has passed since the current school finance system was first created, and that the challenges facing our schools and students have grown and changed dramatically during that time. The legislature intends to examine the school finance system to determine whether it is appropriately linked to the demands of education reform and to the goal of providing all children in the state the opportunity to meet standards.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The joint task force on K-12 finance is created to study the common school finance system and to develop alternative funding models.
     (2) In collaboration with the school finance redesign project, the task force shall, at a minimum:
     (a) Compare Washington's common school funding system with those in other states that are beginning to link finance systems with education reform and expected student learning outcomes;
     (b) Design alternative common school finance systems for Washington that reflect the following principles:
     (i) The finance system should be aligned with the policy expectations and goals established under education reform;
     (ii) Funds should be distributed equitably so that all children have the opportunity to meet the state's academic standards and be prepared for postsecondary education;
     (iii) Staffing should be recognized as a key component of school district costs, including the number of and compensation for certificated instructional staff, certificated administrative staff, and classified staff;
     (iv) Stable and predictable funding should be provided by the state to school districts;
     (v) Local flexibility and choice in program delivery at the district and school levels should be enhanced;
     (vi) The level of local funding beyond the state's basic education allocations should be determined by local districts and taxpayers; and
     (vii) Accountability for taxpayers that focuses on student learning outcomes should be provided;
     (c) Design one or more alternative compensation models that:
     (i) Attract and retain high performing teachers in all Washington schools and in all academic subject areas;
     (ii) Reward teachers for improving their skills and knowledge in a manner that translates into improved student learning;
     (iii) Recognize superior performance by teachers based on student achievement, peer review, and other appropriate measures; and
     (iv) Recognize regional cost-of-living differences as well as recruitment challenges facing rural schools and schools with large numbers of educationally disadvantaged students; and
     (d) Review the role of noncertificated staff and the appropriate types of compensation for these staff.
     (3) The task force shall consist of eleven members as follows:
     (a) Two members from the house of representatives, one from each major caucus;
     (b) Two members from the senate, one from each major caucus;
     (c) The superintendent of public instruction or designee;
     (d) The governor or designee; and
     (e) The following members jointly appointed by the governor and the superintendent of public instruction: One person from the Gates foundation, one person from the University of Washington center for reinventing education, one superintendent from a large urban school district, one superintendent from a suburban school district, and one superintendent from a rural educational service district.
     (4) The chair shall be appointed by the governor.
     (5) Appointments to the task force shall be completed within thirty days of the effective date of this section.
     (6) The staff of the office of program research of the house of representatives and senate committee services shall provide support to the task force.
     (7) Legislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 44.04.120. Other members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (8) The task force shall report findings and recommendations to the legislature by October 1, 2006.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act expires January 1, 2007.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.