SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6609

BYSenators Craswell, Rasmussen, Metcalf, Bailey, Stratton, Johnson and Anderson

Providing for school directors to adopt policies regarding educational materials.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 18, 1990; January 25, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6609 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Benitz, Craswell, Metcalf.

Minority Report:     Do not pass.

     Signed by Senators Fleming, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

                January 26, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 25, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Studies have demonstrated that parents play an important role in the education of their children.  Some parents have expressed concern about what their children are studying in school.  Communication between school districts and parents and providing for policies further defining those roles are methods of addressing that concern.

SUMMARY:

School district boards of directors are required to adopt policies to ensure the implementation of the Open Public Records Act regarding the inspection of materials in the district's educational program. 

Each school district board of directors is required to adopt written policies to follow when a parent or guardian objects to their child's participation in a program or class.  The policies shall provide for excusal.  The school district works with the parent or guardian in providing for alternatives or waivers if the program or class is required.  The school district is not required to provide alternative programming.

Procedures are established for bringing a complaint for failure to follow policies.  The procedures include:  1)  written complaint to the principal; 2) written complaint to the school district superintendent; 3) written complaint to the school district board of directors; and 4) court action.  If the parent or guardian wins, court costs, including attorney fees, are paid.  The school district may be awarded costs, including attorney fees, if the court finds that the complaint was frivolous.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

School district boards of directors have 30 days to hear the complaint if needed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   PRO:  Don Johnson, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Walter Bell, Association of Washington School Principals; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors Association; CON:  Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association