Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

SSB 5184

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.

Brief Description: Regarding compliance reports for second-class school districts.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Schoesler, King, Carrell, Delvin and Holmquist Newbry).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Permits second-class districts to submit condensed compliance reports to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

  • Requires the OSPI to develop a condensed compliance report form for second-class districts.

  • Adds a provision to numerous chapters of the common school code allowing second-class districts to satisfy any compliance reporting requirements in those chapters by submitting a condensed compliance report.

Hearing Date: 3/17/11

Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).

Background:

School districts are required to report a variety of information to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). These requirements appear in numerous chapters of the common school code. For instance:

A second-class school district is defined as a district with fewer than 2,000 students. Almost two-thirds of Washington's school districts meet this definition.

Summary of Bill:

Compliance Reports.

Beginning September 1, 2011 second-class districts may annually submit a condensed compliance report to the OSPI. Districts that choose to submit a condensed compliance report must:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) must develop a condensed compliance report form by August 1, 2011. This report must allow districts the option of indicating one of the following for each funded program:

The OSPI may conduct random audits of second-class districts that submit a condensed compliance report to determine whether documentation exists to support a school district's condensed compliance report.

A new section is added to 48 different chapters in the common school code, providing that any compliance reporting requirements imposed on second-class districts, as a result of laws in those chapters, may be satisfied in accordance with the condensed compliance reporting provisions set forth above.

Compliance Requests.

Compliance requests from the SPI not tied to funding are voluntary for second-class districts submitting a condensed compliance report. "Compliance requests" do not include data requests required to be submitted:

Severability Clause.

A severability clause is included. If there is a conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part is inoperative to the extent of the conflict. Any rules adopted must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.