SB 6183

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6183

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 Passed Senate, February 11, 2008

Title: An act relating to dissolution of school directors' districts in first-class school districts.

Brief Description: Providing a process for the dissolution of first-class school directors' districts.

Sponsors: Senators Parlette, McAuliffe, Brandland, Tom, King, Hobbs, Holmquist, Kauffman, Weinstein, Eide, Zarelli, Rasmussen, Hewitt, Oemig and Shin.

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

Background: Current law provides an election process for a second-class school district (i.e., a school district with less than 2,000 students) that is divided into director districts to dissolve director districts and change to a combination of director districts and at-large positions. The process requires the second-class district to obtain a petition signed by at least 20 percent of the registered voters of the school district to qualify the question to be submitted to the voters within the school district at a special election. If approved by a majority of voters at the election then the district may change to have a minimum of three director districts and a maximum of two at-large positions. There is currently no such process available to first-class school districts.

Summary of Bill: An election process is provided for first-class school districts that are divided into director districts to dissolve the director districts and change to a combination of director districts and at-large positions. The process requires the first-class district to obtain a petition signed by at least 20 percent of the registered voters of the school district, which qualifies the question to be submitted to the voters within the school district at a special election. If approved by a majority of voters at the election then the district may change to have a minimum of three director districts and a maximum of two at-large positions.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a very simple bill -- it has two words "first class." This will permit school districts with more than 2,000 students to access the same process that smaller school districts already have. It is becoming increasingly difficult for school districts to fill positions on school boards, in large and small districts. The Eastmont school district, which is a first class district, decided to ask the voters of the district to dissolve the director districts to have three director districts and two at-large districts. But then they found out that they could not access this process because they are a first class district.