SENATE BILL REPORT

2SSB 5840

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Rinehart, Patterson, Bauer, Saling, Anderson, Zimmerman, Stratton, Sellar, Barr, Johnson, Craswell, Kiskaddon, Benitz, West, Nelson and Pullen)

Providing grants to local school districts to enhance education.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 4, 1987; January 13, 1988; January 18, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5840 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Kiskaddon, Vice Chairman; Benitz, Craswell, Gaspard, Lee, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  January 19, 1988

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1988; February 4, 1988

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5840 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Deccio, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Newhouse, Saling, Smith, Warnke, Wojahn, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Ken Kanikeberg (786-7715)

                  February 12, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1988

BACKGROUND:

State laws and court decisions have defined a number of educational programs and services which districts must provide and the state must fund.  State and national reports recommend that educational improvements might best be gained by granting greater decision-making authority to districts and at the building level.  State funds were provided in the 1987-89 operating budget, in addition to basic education allocation funds, as a means to help districts enhance their local education programs according to district identified needs and priorities.  It is suggested that the provisions of this funding enhancement program be established on a permanent basis.

SUMMARY:

The budgetary "block grant" program is established in statute.

School districts are eligible to receive a grant from funds available, in addition to their basic education allocation.  Districts may use the grant for any educational purpose but programs enhanced or established through grant funds shall not become part of the state's obligation to provide a basic program of education.

Districts must assess the needs of the schools in the district and assign priorities to the identified needs.  Districts must hold at least one public hearing before adoption of the expenditure plan.  The public hearing and the expenditure plan may be included as part of the districts' annual budget development procedures.

Local education program enhancement grants and the plans developed to spend the grant funds are not subject to collective bargaining unless the funds and the expenditure plan affect employees' wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment.

The block grant funds may be used to provide supplemental salary and benefits to certificated and classified employees but such employees must be participating in grant supported activities.  Supplemental salary and benefits for certificated staff must be provided through supplemental contracts.

Districts must report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction every even-numbered calendar year, beginning in 1990, on their local enhancement program.  The Superintendent must report to the Legislature every even-numbered year, beginning in 1990, on the local education program enhancement grant program.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION:  Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association; Judy Hartmann, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Dick Harris, Superintendent, Federal Way School District; Dale Hoggins, Edmonds School District

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one