BILL REQ. #:  S-0173.1 

Read first time 02/06/2003.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to cooperation among education policy boards; amending RCW 28A.305.120, 28B.50.050, and 28B.80.420; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that to achieve the goals of education reform and improve student learning and achievement, the separate public education systems should strive to create a seamless system of education from grades K-12 through higher education. The legislature further finds that a seamless system is a system where there is an easy transition from one system to another system. The legislature further finds that a seamless system begins with close collaboration and coordination between the state-level policy boards.

Sec. 2   RCW 28A.305.120 and 1984 c 287 s 60 are each amended to read as follows:
     The state board of education shall hold an annual meeting and such other regular meetings at such time and place within the state as the board shall determine and may hold such special meetings as may be deemed necessary for the transaction of public business, such special meetings to be called by the superintendent of public instruction, or by a majority of the board. The state board of education shall meet jointly with the higher education coordinating board at least once each year on issues of relevance to both boards. The state board of education shall also meet jointly with the state board for community and technical colleges at least once each year on issues of relevance to both boards. The state board of education may choose to meet jointly with the higher education coordinating board and the state board for community and technical colleges at the same meeting. The persons serving as members of the state board of education shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and shall be reimbursed by the superintendent of public instruction for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 incurred in the performance of their duties which expenses shall be paid by the state treasurer on warrants out of funds appropriated or otherwise available, upon the order of the superintendent.

Sec. 3   RCW 28B.50.050 and 1991 c 238 s 30 are each amended to read as follows:
     There is hereby created the "state board for community and technical colleges", to consist of nine members who represent the geographic diversity of the state, and who shall be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate. At least two members shall reside east of the Cascade mountains. In making these appointments, the governor shall attempt to provide geographic balance and give consideration to representing labor, business, women, and racial and ethnic minorities, among the membership of the board. At least one member of the board shall be from business and at least one member of the board shall be from labor. The current members of the state board for community college education on September 1, 1991, shall serve on the state board for community and technical colleges until their terms expire. Successors to these members shall be appointed according to the terms of this section. A ninth member shall be appointed by September 1, 1991, for a complete term.
     The successors of the members initially appointed shall be appointed for terms of four years except that a person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of any term shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of his or her successor. All members shall be citizens and bona fide residents of the state.
     Members of the college board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 for each day actually spent in attending to the duties as a member of the college board.
     The members of the college board may be removed by the governor for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, in the manner provided by RCW 28B.10.500.
     The state board for community and technical colleges shall meet jointly with the state board of education at least once each year on issues of relevance to both boards. The state board for community and technical colleges shall also meet jointly with the higher education coordinating board at least once each year on issues of relevance to both boards. The state board for community and technical colleges may choose to meet jointly with the higher education coordinating board and the state board of education at the same meeting.

Sec. 4   RCW 28B.80.420 and 1985 c 370 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     The board shall adopt bylaws and shall meet at least four times each year and at such other times as determined by the chair who shall give reasonable prior notice to the members. The higher education coordinating board shall meet jointly with the state board of education at least once each year on issues of relevance to both boards. The higher education coordinating board shall also meet jointly with the state board for community and technical colleges at least once each year on issues of relevance to both boards. The state board of education may choose to meet jointly with the state board of education and the state board for community and technical colleges at the same meeting.
     Board members are expected to consistently attend board meetings. The chair of the board may ask the governor to remove any member who misses more than two meetings in any calendar year without cause.