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: Senators McAuliffe, Schmidt, Kohl-Welles and Shin; by request of State Board of Education.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education: 2/24/05, 2/28/05 [DP, DNP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING, K-12 & HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair; Weinstein, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Eide, Kohl-Welles, Mulliken, Pflug, Rockefeller and Shin.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Benton, Carrell and Schoesler.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Delvin.

Staff: Ingrid Mungia (786-7423)

Background: Currently, the State Board of Education annually elects a president and vice president. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is an ex officio member and the chief executive officer of the State Board of Education. As an ex officio member, the Superintendent has the right to vote only when there is a question before the board upon which no majority opinion has been reached among the board members present and voting, and the Superintendent's vote is essential for action.

Summary of Bill: The State Board of Education annually must elect a president and vice president and other officers as the board determines. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is an ex officio member and the chief executive officer of the State Board of Education and has the right to vote on all matters before the board.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: It is important to have the Superintendent as a voting member of the State Board. It is more than a matter of fairness, but of courtesy and respect to allow the Superintendent to vote. The Superintendent is the only state wide elected official, in regards to public education, and it is important they have a voting right on the board. It will provide the Superintendent a more active role on the board and provide better coordination of state wide policy and communication.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator McAuliffe, prime sponsor; Kate Lykins Brown, SBE; Lucinda You, WEA; Bob Butts, OSPI.