HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2586

BYRepresentatives Heavey, Jacobsen, O'Brien, Ballard, Holland, Phillips, Valle and Wang

Creating the integration incentive grant program.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (15)

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

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION JANUARY 31, 1990

BACKGROUND:

School districts which have adopted integration plans or who are concerned with reducing the isolation of minority students in their districts currently must devise their own programs.  There is no financial incentive in the basic education allocation to support these efforts.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  School districts are encouraged to develop programs to recruit the voluntary transfer of students from within the district to improve the racial balance within a school.  Schools shall receive $500 for each student that voluntarily transfers to the building which results in the improvement of the racial balance within the building.

Districts wishing to receive such funding must submit an application to the superintendent of public instruction.  The application shall include:  a)  a description of the type of magnet or recruitment program established in the district; b)  the timeline for implementation of the program; c)  identification of the staff needs for the program; and d)  methods of advertising the magnet or recruiting program.

Money received under the integration incentive grant program may be used for planning or promotional activities for the expansion, continuation or enhancement of academic programs or services in a magnet or recruiting program.  Funds may be used for purchasing books, material, equipment, and computers necessary to a magnet program and for their maintenance and operation.  Additional compensation may also be paid to the certificated or licensed staff necessary to conduct a magnet program.

Implementation of the program is subject to an appropriation for this purpose being included in the appropriations act.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The appropriation is removed, and implementation is subject to an appropriation being made for this purpose in the appropriations act.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 17, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Rep. Mike Heavey.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This program rewards actual conduct that creates an integrated program rather than just a method of throwing money at a problem.  Money will only be received if a student moved to another school and improves the racial balance in the school.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.