6069‑S AMH HUFF DARA 23

SSB 6069 ‑ H AMD TO H AMD (H-5470.1) 483 ADOPTED 3-5-96

By Representative Huff

     On page 94 of the striking amendment, beginning on line 31, strike all of subsection (p) and insert:

"(p) $10,000,000 of the general fund--state appropriation is provided solely for technology grants to school districts and for per diem and travel costs of the technology education committee for school years 1995-96 and 1996-97.  A district is eligible for a grant if it either has ongoing programs emphasizing specific approaches to learning assisted by technology or it is identified by the center for the improvement of student learning based on best practices; and

(i) The district is part of a consortium, of at least two school districts, formed to pool resources to maximize technology related acquisitions, to start up new programs or new staff development, and to share advantages of the consortium with other districts;

(ii) The district will match state funds with:

(A) Partnerships with technology companies, educational service districts, institutions of higher education, community and technical colleges or any other organization with expertise in applications of technology to learning which are willing to assist school districts in applying technology to the learning process through in-kind assistance; and,

(B) School district funds; and

(iii) The district has plans and means for evaluating the improvement in student learning resulting from the technology-based strategies of the district.

To the extent that funds are available, school districts that meet the criteria of this subsection shall be provided grants under this subsection in the order they are prioritized by the technology education committee and for no more than $600 per student in the proposed program.

Within 15 working days after this bill becomes law, the superintendent of public instruction shall appoint a technology education committee to develop an application and review process for awarding the technology grants established in this subsection.  The committee shall be appointed by the superintendent and shall consist of five representatives from technology companies, five technology coordinators representing educational service districts, and five school district representatives.  Committee members shall serve without additional compensation but shall be eligible for per diem and mileage allowances pursuant to RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.  The superintendent shall award the first round of technology grants based on the recommendation of the technology education committee within 45 working days of this bill becoming law.  No more than fifty percent of funds provided in this appropriation shall be allocated in the first round of awards."

EFFECT:  Clarifies that a minimum of two school districts shall be considered a consortium, that matching funds may include a variety of sources, including in-kind match from a variety of organizations with experience in using technology for training, that the technology education committee shall be appointed within 15 working days of the effective date of the supplemental budget, and that a first round of awards, which shall be no more than 50 percent of the total available, will be granted within 45 working days of the effective date of the supplemental budget.

FISCAL IMPACT:  None.