Title: An act relating to the authority of the executive director of the state board of education.

Brief Description: Specifying authority of the executive director of the state board of education.

Sponsors: Representatives Quall, Barlow, Priest and Anderson.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/12/08, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/25/08 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Tom, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Hobbs, Holmquist, Kauffman, McDermott, Oemig, Rasmussen and Weinstein.

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: The purpose of the 16-member State Board of Education (SBE) is to provide advocacy and strategic oversight of public education, implement an accountability system to improve achievement, and provide leadership. Some of the specific functions of the SBE include establishment of the high school graduation requirements and identification of the scores students must achieve in order to meet the standard on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. The SBE has statutory authority to hire an executive director but the authorized duties of the executive director are not addressed.

Summary of Bill: By resolution, the SBE may delegate duties to the executive director that are necessary to carry on the business of the SBE.

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.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Board has statutory authority to hire an Executive Director, but the duties of the Executive Director are not specified. This bill authorizes the SBE to delegate duties to the Executive Director, as necessary to carry out the duties of the board. It is exactly like the Senate bill, which passed out of this committee.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Brad Burnham, SBE.