BILL REQ. #:  S-4212.1 

Read first time 01/16/08.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to enhancing school library programs; adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning with the 2008-09 school year and each year thereafter, a new formula allocation shall be provided to school districts for enhancing library programs and services in K-12 public schools. The funding provided by this formula shall be used to augment current funding for librarian programs provided through basic education and other existing funding mechanisms. In order to receive allocations under this section, school districts must agree that to the maximum extent possible they will ensure that library programs and services are equitably provided throughout the district.
     (2)(a) School district allocations for enhancing school library programs shall be calculated based on annual average full-time equivalent students and determined as follows:
     (i) For school districts with fewer than one hundred full-time equivalent students, funding for a half-time certificated instructional staff librarian position;
     (ii) For school districts with between one hundred and four hundred ninety-nine full-time equivalent students, funding for one full-time certificated instructional staff librarian position;
     (iii) For school districts with between five hundred and nine hundred ninety-nine full-time equivalent students, funding for two full-time certificated instructional staff librarian positions;
     (iv) For school districts with between one thousand and one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine full-time equivalent students, funding for three full-time certificated instructional staff librarian positions;
     (v) For school districts with two thousand or more full-time equivalent students, funding for one certificated instructional staff librarian position for every seven hundred full-time equivalent students.
     (b) In consultation with the office of financial management, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop and implement an adjustment factor to reduce the allocations in (a)(i) through (v) of this subsection based on the proportional amount of staff and other funding already being received by school districts for library programs through the basic education formula allocation for certificated instructional staff. This adjustment factor shall reflect a minimum assumption of 2.1 percent of the general apportionment allocation for certificated instructional staff in the omnibus appropriations act.
     (c) Every school district shall receive an annual allocation of twelve dollars per full-time equivalent student to maintain and improve library materials, collections, and services.
     (3) In consultation with the office of financial management, if necessary, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall reduce the amounts allocated to school districts to stay within the amounts appropriated by the legislature for enhancing library programs and services in the omnibus appropriations act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act takes effect September 1, 2008.