Title: An act relating to enhancing school library programs.

Brief Description: Enhancing school library programs.

Sponsors: Senators Eide, Brown, McAuliffe, Marr, Shin, Kohl-Welles and Weinstein.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/23/08, 2/06/08 [DPS-WM, w/oRec].

Ways & Means: 2/11/08, 2/12/08 [DP2S].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6380 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Tom, Vice Chair; Eide, Hobbs, Kauffman, McDermott, Oemig, Rasmussen and Weinstein.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators King, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland and Holmquist.

Staff: Roman Dixon (786-7438)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6380 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Hatfield, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Parlette, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller and Schoesler.

Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background: The general apportionment formula, which represents approximately two-thirds of the total amount of funding provided by the state, provides foundational funding to school districts for staffing and other costs associated with operating a school. One of the current components of the general apportionment formula is an allocation for certificated instructional staff (CIS), which includes teachers, counselors, librarians, and other instructional staff requiring certification. School districts have discretion in deciding the types of staff hired with their general apportionment allocations for certificated instructional staff. This means that the actual staffing levels for librarians will vary by school district and school building.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Second Substitute): Funding is provided to augment current funding for librarian programs provided through basic education and other existing funding mechanisms. For the 2008-09 school year, every school district will receive an allocation of $12 per full-time equivalent student to maintain and improve library materials, collections, and services.

In order to receive allocations provided in the bill, school districts must agree that, to the maximum extent possible, they will ensure that library programs and services are equitably provided throughout the district. Additionally, for school districts with a student enrollment of over 2,000 students, in order to receive allocations provided in the bill, they must maintain daily operation of libraries in all schools with the exception of schools without library services. All school districts are prohibited from using the new allocation to supplant any other existing state, federal, or local funding used for school libraries.

The provisions of the bill are null and void unless funded in the omnibus appropriations act.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE (Recommended Second Substitute): The non-supplant language was added. For school districts with a student enrollment of over 2,000 students, the requirement that in order to receive the per student allocation that they must maintain daily operation of libraries in all their schools with the exception of schools without library services, was added. The null and void clause is added.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION (Recommended First Substitute): Both the substitute and the amendment added language to the intent section. The substitute removed the annual full-time equivalent calculation for school district allocations and removed the adjustment factor used to reduce allocations. The substitute also authorizes a $12 allocation per full-time equivalent (FTE) student to every school district for the 2008-09 school year.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on September 1, 2008.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: We have an intelligent state and we talk about making information resources available to kids; now's our time to deliver. Many kids are matriculating into adults who don't know how to use the library. Librarians perform three important functions: they teach essential skills; they're advocates for reading; and they are the school's chief information officer. We should not be willing to take a chance without libraries or librarians.

OTHER: This bill is in response to inadequate funding for basic education.

Persons Testifying (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: Senator Eide, prime sponsor; Lisa Layera Bronkan, Washington Coalition for School Librarians and Infotech; Mike Eisenberg, University of Washington; Stephen Coker, Rainier School District; Sarah Applegate (NBCT), North Thurston Public Schools; Jan Walsh, Washington State Library; Jennifer Priddy, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

OTHER: Jerry Bender, Association of Washington State Principals.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on First Substitute Bill (Ways & Means): PRO: This bill started out with a small group of concerned parents and now has grown into a movement that will help address a major problem in our public schools. School districts, because of funding challenges, are closing school libraries. This bill is about providing some funding to address that dire need. It will benefit large and small, rural and urban, school districts.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Senator McAuliffe; Lisa Layera Bronkan, Washington Coalition for School Librarians and Infotech.