Title: An act relating to providing voting rights on the state board of education to the superintendent of public instruction.

Brief Description: Making the superintendent of public instruction a voting member of the state board of education.

Sponsors: By Representatives P. Sullivan, Quall, Talcott, Kenney and McDermott; by request of State Board of Education.

Brief History:

Education: 2/23/05, 2/24/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/8/05, 83-14.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Talcott, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Haigh, Hunter, McDermott, Santos, Shabro and Tom.

Staff: Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:

By law, the State Board of Education annually elects a president and vice president. The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is an ex-officio member and chief executive officer of the state board. However, the SPI is permitted to vote only to break a tie.

Summary of Bill:

The SPI may vote in all matters before the State Board of Education.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The legislation is intended to show the SPI the professional respect and courteous treatment that is the SPI's due as the elected official with the constitutional responsibility for all public school matters. The passage of the legislation will provide an incentive for the SPI to become more engaged in the board's activities.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative P. Sullivan, prime sponsor; Kate Lykins Brown, State Board of Education; Robert Butts, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Lucinda Young, Washington Education Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.