ESSB 6380

HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESSB 6380

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Education

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Eide, Brown, McAuliffe, Marr, Shin, Kohl-Welles and Weinstein).

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Barlow, Vice Chair; Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haigh, Liias, Roach, Santos and Sullivan.

Background:

Certificated Instructional Staff (CIS) is a term that includes teachers, counselors, librarians, and other individuals who must be certified by the state to provide instruction and support services in public schools. The state funding formulas for the General Apportionment Program (the program that provides the bulk of state basic education funding) generally allocate funds to school districts based on a staffing ratio of 53.2 CIS per 1,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) students in grades kindergarten through four and 46 CIS per 1,000 FTE students in grades five through 12. The formulas do not distinguish between the various types of CIS, nor is there any statement of legislative intent or direction to school districts about prioritizing among the various staff.

The funding formulas also contain a factor for nonemployee-related costs (NERC) to address such items as utilities, supplies, instructional materials, books, etc. There is no distinction in the NERC factor for any one type of cost.

Summary of Amended Bill:

It is the Legislature's intent to provide additional funding in the 2008 legislative session to help school districts keep their libraries open while encouraging the Joint Task Force on Basic Education Finance to develop recommendations for funding of core educational services.

For the 2008-09 school year, every school district receives an allocation of either $12 per FTE student or a different amount as specified in the operating budget, to maintain and improve library materials, collections, and services. The funding must augment current funding for these items, and school districts must not use the funds to supplant any existing state, federal, or local funding for library staff or programs. School districts must agree that, to the maximum extent possible, they will ensure the library programs and services are provided equitably throughout the district.

Amended Bill Compared to Engrossed Substitute Bill:

The enhanced allocation for library services is either $12 per FTE student or a different amount as specified in the operating budget.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void if not funded in the budget.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) At a time when we expect our students to meet challenging standards in reading and writing, many school districts are closing libraries due to lack of funds. We need to encourage children to read, not discourage them. This bill is part of a statewide, grassroots effort to secure funding for school libraries that is supported by thousands of parents, teachers, and librarians. It is symbolic of the state's recognition of the importance of libraries in providing students with the literacy skills they need for success. This is bridge funding until a longer term solution is identified by the Basic Education Task Force. School library collections are woefully out of date. The average publishing date of European History books in one library was 1981. A search for books on teen psychology and self-help yielded a book entitled "Pat Boone Talks to Teens" dating from 1958.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Stephan Coker, Rainier School District; and Susan McBurney.