HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1738

BYRepresentatives Peery, Betrozoff, G. Fisher, Holland, Cole, Walker, Rayburn, Rasmussen, Brumsickle, Moyer, D. Sommers, Ballard, Sayan, Miller, Van Luven, Winsley, May, Tate, Cantwell and Todd; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Providing local education enhancement program funds.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1987 the Legislature created the local education enhancement program in the appropriations act.  The program allowed districts to select programs which it desired to implement in its district to be funded from this appropriation of money.  The program could include: Prevention and intervention services in the elementary grades, class size reduction, early childhood education, programs for students-at-risk, staff development and in-service, student logical reasoning and analytical skill development and other purposes which enhance a schools basic education program.  Funding was provided through June 30, 1989.

SUMMARY:

The local education enhancement program commonly referred to as the block grant program is made a statutory program.  Districts will receive funds based on a per student basis provided that the district has assessed the needs of the schools, prioritized the identified need and developed an evaluation methodology. If a district has not more than 60 annual full-time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through six, it shall be funded for 60 full-time equivalent students.  For districts of not more than 20 annual full-time equivalent students in grades seven and eight, it will be funded for 20 full-time equivalent students.  For district with enrollment of 60 or less full-time equivalent students in grades nine through twelve, it shall be funded for 60 full time equivalent students.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Don Johnson, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Karen Davis, Washington Education Association; and Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    We support the concept of districts being able to have funds through the block grant type program to address the needs and special interests of the district based on the district's assessment.  Information on the use of block grant funds show that districts have made excellent use of the funding.  We believe that this program should be placed in statute so that districts can rely on its continuation and the opportunity to address their special needs.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.