SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5859

BYSenators Gaspard, Lee, Murray and Bailey

Regarding the school directors' association.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 13, 1989; February 16, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5859 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

                  February 17, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) is an "agency of the state" that provides services to the 296 school boards in Washington.  Membership in the association is mandatory.  Dues are paid by school district boards of directors.

The major purpose of the association is to coordinate the policymaking, control and management of the school districts of the state.  The association is required to make reports and recommendations at least annually to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Other powers of the association include purchasing liability insurance for school directors and providing special services, research, and consultants to school districts on a cost reimbursable contract basis.

The association was founded as a private association in the 1920s.  It became an "agency of the state" in 1947.  It was subject to sunset review in 1982.  The second sunset review has been conducted by the Legislative Budget Committee in 1988.  The Legislative Budget Committee recommends that the association continue to exist.

SUMMARY:

The existence of the Washington School Directors Association is continued.  The requirement that the Washington Association of School Directors' service contracts with local school directors be filed with the Office of Financial Management and the Legislative Budget Committee is eliminated.

The section terminating the association is repealed.  The association is not subject to the sunset review process.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The association is given the authority to lease property and to borrow money for the acquisition of sites for office facilities.

The association is subject to the sunset review process and may terminate June 30, 1995.

The legislation takes effect June 30, 1989.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: FOR:  Larry Swift, Karen Taylor Sherman, Washington State School Directors' Association