SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6502

BYSenators Bailey, Rinehart, Gaspard, Lee and Bauer

Specifying when school directors officially start their terms of office.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 28, 1988; February 1, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6502 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Don Bennett (786-7424)

                  February 3, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 1, 1988

BACKGROUND:

No uniform date for beginning terms of office for school directors is provided under current law.  The statute governing terms of office for directors in first class school districts is silent on the subject.  The law addressing terms for directors in second class districts refers to other sections which subsequently were amended to exclude application to school districts.

Important matters addressed by school district directors in November and December meetings usually include final decisions regarding special levies and bond issues to be placed on the February ballot.  The issue of whether school directors completing their terms of office or the newly-constituted board should be responsible for those decisions would be clarified by providing a uniform date for beginning directors' terms of office.

SUMMARY:

Terms of office for school directors shall begin at the first official meeting of the board of directors following certification of the election results.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

An incorrect reference in a related section is changed to provide the same beginning date for terms of office of directors in second class school districts.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association (for)