HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1832

BYRepresentatives Peery, Fuhrman, Nealey, Ballard, Dorn, Prince, Brumsickle, Jones, Chandler, Brooks, Sprenkle, Morris, Spanel, H. Myers, Cooper and McLean

Allotting a minimum number of school administrators for small school districts.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Jones, Phillips, Rasmussen, Rayburn and Valle.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (5)

      Signed by Representatives Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Horn, P. King, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Prior to 1987, the Basic Education Act made no differentiation between the number of administrative and instructional staff to be funded for every 1,000 full time equivalent students.  Districts were able to make their own determinations on how to allocate their resources between these groups of employees.  In 1987, the Legislature created a ratio of 46 certificated instructional staff per 1,000 full time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through 12.  A separate ratio of four administrators per 1,000 full time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through 12 was also created.

SUMMARY:

Outdated provisions defining ratios for the 1987-88 and 1988-89 school year are removed.  Language is added to provide at least one certificated administrative staff person for each school district.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Jim Menzies, Superintendent, Tekoa School District; Richard Carter, Superintendent, Carbonado School District; Clay Anderson, Superintendent, Skamania School District.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Funding for administration of small schools does not fit well under the existing formula.  Currently, small districts may qualify for funding for only a part time administrator.  Small districts are required to submit the same reports required of large districts.  They need the services and leadership of a superintendent to guide and direct the decisions of the district.  A small school district superintendent must wear a variety of hats and make the final hard decisions.  Small school district administrators are quality people and their value needs to be recognized.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.