SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6038
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 Reported by Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, January 23, 2012
Title: An act relating to excluding permanent school building space used for STEM schools from eligibility determinations for state school plant funding assistance.
Brief Description: Excluding permanent school building space used for STEM schools from eligibility determinations for state school plant funding assistance.
Sponsors: Senators Delvin and McAuliffe.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/16/12, 1/23/12 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6038 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Rolfes, Vice Chair; Litzow, Ranking Minority Member; Eide, Fain, Harper, Hill, Hobbs, King, Nelson and Tom.
Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)
Background: The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has rules to determine school district eligibility for state funding assistance for school construction. Eligibility for state assistance is based on several factors, including the amount of square footage calculated for instructional space in each school facility. The rules also exempt many areas not related to direct instruction or instructional support.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): OSPI must adopt rules to ensure that a host school district of a shared or co-located facility is not penalized when calculating state school construction assistance.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The exemption of STEM schools from eligibility calculations for state school construction assistance is removed. OSPI must adopt rules to ensure that a host school district of a shared or co-located facility is not penalized when calculating state school construction assistance.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The Tri-cities has three school districts cooperating on a STEM school–Delta High School. It is physically located in the Richland school district but the other two districts send students to the school and help with the maintenance costs. Richland's concern is that the entire footprint of the building will count against them when they seek state assistance for any school construction project. Senate Bill 6040 is another bill addressing the same issue but is broader than this bill. Hopefully we can work together to address these concerns. Just want to make sure that when there is a shared building such as this, the host school district is not penalized.
OTHER: OSPI has complicated formulas for when and how the state provides funding for a school construction project. Because of the complications we are concerned there may be unintended consequences from this bill that would cause the district to not receive state assistance for a school construction project. We would suggest a study to come back to you with recommendations on how to address these shared buildings.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Delvin, prime sponsor.
OTHER: Gordon Beck, OSPI.