SHB 1431 -
By Committee on Ways & Means
ADOPTED 04/08/2011
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 (1) The superintendent of public
instruction shall convene educational service districts to analyze
options and make recommendations for a clear legal framework and
process for dissolution of a school district on the basis of financial
insolvency.
(2) The analysis must include, but not be limited to:
(a) A definition of financial insolvency;
(b) A time frame, criteria, and process for initiating a
dissolution of an insolvent school district;
(c) Roles and responsibilities of the office of the superintendent
of public instruction, educational service districts, and regional
committees on school district organization; and
(d) Recommendations for how to address such issues as:
(i) Limiting a school board's ability to incur additional debt
during the dissolution process;
(ii) Terminating staff contracts expeditiously;
(iii) Liquidation of liabilities;
(iv) Waiving requirements of the school accounting manual;
(v) Clarifying effective dates of transfers of property for
taxation purposes;
(vi) Dealing with bonded indebtedness; and
(vii) Circumstances that require approval of voters in either the
annexing school district or the dissolving school district, or both.
(3) In conducting the analysis, the educational service districts
must consult with individuals with legal and financial expertise.
(4) As part of their report, the educational service districts may
recommend a financial early warning system for consistent, early
identification of school districts with potential fiscal difficulties.
(5) The superintendent of public instruction must submit a final
report and recommendations to the governor and the education and fiscal
committees of the legislature by January 5, 2012. The recommendations
must specifically address amendments to current law as well as propose
new laws as necessary.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 If specific funding for the purposes of this
act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by
June 30, 2011, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and
void."
SHB 1431 -
By Committee on Ways & Means
ADOPTED 04/08/2011
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "districts;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and creating new sections."
EFFECT: Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to convene the Educational Service Districts to come up with a legal framework and process for dissolution. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to submit a final report rather than the Educational Service Districts.