AN ACT Relating to the award for excellence in education program; amending RCW 28A.03.523 and 28A.03.535; creating a new section; and repealing RCW 28B.15.547.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 2, chapter 147, Laws of 1986 as last amended by section 1, chapter 251, Laws of 1988 and RCW 28A.03.523 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The superintendent of public instruction shall establish an annual award program for excellence in education to recognize teachers, principals, administrators, school district superintendents, and school boards for their leadership, contributions, and commitment to education. The program shall recognize annually:

(a) Three teachers from each congressional district of the state. One individual must be an elementary level teacher, one must be a junior high or middle school level teacher, and one must be a secondary level teacher. Teachers shall include educational staff associates;

(b) Three principals or administrators from each congressional district of the state;

(d) One school district board of directors from the state.

Not more than three teachers and three principals or administrators from each congressional district and one superintendent and one school board from the state may be recognized and receive awards in any school year.

(2) The awards for teachers and principals or administrators shall include certificates presented by the governor and the superintendent of public instruction at a public ceremony or ceremonies in appropriate locations.

(3) In addition to certificates under subsection (2) of this section, awards for teachers and principals or administrators shall include:

(a) A ((~~waiver of tuition and fees under RCW 28B.15.547~~)) grant equal to one year's tuition at any state institution of higher education for a student attending a state institution of higher education or a grant equal to the average tuition at the state comprehensive and research universities for a student attending an independent college or university as defined in RCW 28B.80.245 and a stipend not to exceed one thousand dollars to cover costs incurred in taking courses ((~~for which the tuition and fees have been waived under this subsection and RCW 28B.15.547~~)) under this grant. Courses paid for under this section shall be completed within four years after the award is received. The grant and stipend shall not be considered compensation for the purposes of RCW 28A.58.0951; or

(b) Teachers and principals or administrators, at their discretion, may elect to forego ((~~the waiver of tuition and fees and~~)) the grant and stipend under ((~~subsection (3)~~)) (a) of this ((~~section~~)) subsection and apply for ((a)) an educational grant not to exceed one thousand dollars, which grant shall be awarded under the provisions of RCW 28A.03.535.

Within one year of receiving the award for excellence in education, teachers and principals or administrators shall notify the superintendent of public instruction in writing of their decision to apply for ((a)) an educational grant or to receive ((~~the waiver of tuition and fees and the stipend under subsection (3) of this section~~)) a grant and stipend to attend a state institution of higher education or an independent college or university as defined in RCW 28B.80.245.

(4) All grants and stipends awarded under RCW 28A.03.520 through 28A.03.538 shall be administered by the higher education coordinating board. The board shall adopt rules providing for the disbursal of the grants and stipends and any repayments from recipients who do not meet the obligations of the grants and stipends.

Sec. 2. Section 7, chapter 147, Laws of 1986 as amended by section 3, chapter 251, Laws of 1988 and RCW 28A.03.535 are each amended to read as follows:

Teachers and principals or administrators who have received an award for excellence in education under RCW 28A.03.523 shall be eligible to apply for an educational grant in lieu of ((~~receiving a waiver of tuition and fees and~~)) a grant and stipend to attend a state institution of higher education or an independent college or university as defined in RCW 28B.80.245 as provided under RCW 28A.03.523(3). The superintendent of public instruction shall award the educational grant as long as a written grant application is submitted to the superintendent of public instruction within one year after the award was received. The grant application shall identify the educational purpose toward which the educational grant shall be used.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Section 6, chapter 147, Laws of 1986 and RCW 28B.15.547 are each repealed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by June 30, 1989, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act shall be null and void.