SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1757

BYRepresentatives Fuhrman, Morris, Dellwo, Raiter, Cooper, Brumsickle, Grant, H. Myers, Peery, Ballard, Hankins, Smith, Rector and Nealey

Permitting certain second class school districts to hire officers' spouses as substitute teachers.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 20, 1989; March 23, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Craswell, Fleming, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

                  March 23, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Current law provides that no municipal officer shall benefit directly or indirectly, in any contract which may be made by, through or under the supervision of such officer, in whole or in part.  Specific exceptions have been provided in statute: 1) In second class school districts, for contracts to drive school buses so long as the compensation is the same as for other bus drivers, and 2) in districts of less than 200 fulltime equivalent students, for contracts of employment as certificated or classified employees with the spouses of an officer of a second class school district.

SUMMARY:

A specific exception to the statute prohibiting a municipal officer from having an interest in a contract is made for a second class district with fewer than 500 fulltime equivalent students.  Such a district may contract with the spouse of a district officer to serve as a substitute teacher.  The salary shall be commensurate with the pay plan or collective bargaining agreement applicable to all district employees.

The school district board of directors shall adopt a written policy on the procedure for letting of any contract that is a permitted exception.  The policy shall include provisions to ensure fairness and the appearance of fairness in all matters pertaining to employment contracts so authorized.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Before hiring a spouse of a member of the school district board of directors, the board must find that there is a shortage of substitute teachers.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: FOR:  Representative Steve Fuhrman; Dorothy Bahr, Jerald Sheffels, Board of Directors, Wilbur School District  200; Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors Association