HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5538

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to the state board of education office staff.

Brief Description:  Changing state board of education staff provisions.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Pelz and Rasmussen; by request of Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  3/21/95, 3/24/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Brumsickle, Chairman; Elliot, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Cole, Ranking Minority Member; Poulsen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clements; G. Fisher; Hatfield; McMahan; Pelesky; Quall; Radcliff; Smith; Talcott; B. Thomas; Thompson and Veloria.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  Under current law, the State Board of Education (SBE) is authorized to appoint only an "ex officio secretary" to keep a record of the board's proceedings.  Other staff assisting the SBE have been employed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Summary of Bill:  The SBE is directed to appoint or employ an executive director, who also must serve as the board's secretary.  The board is directed to appoint or employ other staff to perform the duties of the board.  These duties may include other responsibilities involving supervision over matters pertaining to the public schools delegated to the board by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The executive director and his or her confidential secretary are exempt from civil service.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This will give the State Board the ability to hire and fire its own staff.  There will not be a fiscal impact.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dorene Mykol, State Board of Education.