SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5333

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Gaspard, Bailey, Smitherman, Johnson, Stratton, Conner, Bauer, Kiskaddon, Hayner, Bottiger and Benitz)

Giving all members on the state board of education the authority to vote.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 4, 1987; February 12, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5333 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Gaspard, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Benitz, Craswell, Smitherman, Warnke.

Senate Staff:Don Bennett (786-7424)

                  March 4, 1988

House Committe on Education

AS PASSED SENATE, JANUARY 22, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The State Board of Education is comprised of 18 members.  Two voting members from each congressional district are elected by the boards of directors of the school districts within the respective congressional districts.  One nonvoting member is elected at large by the boards of directors of all approved private schools in the state.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction is an ex officio member by virtue of his/her office and may vote only when action on a matter cannot be resolved without his/her vote.

SUMMARY:

The private school member of the State Board of Education will vote only on issues directly affecting private schools.  Any dispute about whether an issue has a direct effect on private schools will be resolved by a majority vote of the Board.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction will be the President of the State Board of Education.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Carl Fynboe, Washington Federation of Independent Schools; Gerard Sheehan, ACLU; Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

The member of the State Board of Education representing private schools may not vote on matters affecting public schools.  If there is a dispute as to whether an issue directly affects public schools, the dispute shall be settled by a majority vote of the other members of the board.

The section designating the Superintendent of Public Instruction as President of the Board of Education is deleted.