SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5177

                As Passed Senate, March 4, 1999

Title:  An act relating to increasing the number of hours retired teachers or retired administrators can substitute teach and increasing the number of hours retired principals can serve as substitute principals.

Brief Description:  Increasing the number of hours retired teachers or retired administrators can substitute teach and increasing the number of hours retired principals can serve as substitute principals.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Goings, Oke, Winsley, Kohl‑Welles, Long, Eide, Fraser, Rasmussen and Benton).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  1/25/99, 2/8/99 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/4/99, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5177 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Bauer, Benton, Brown, Goings, Hochstatter, Kohl‑Welles, Rasmussen, Sellar, Swecker and Zarelli.

Staff:  Natalie Adams (786-7444)

Background:  Currently, retired teachers and administrators receiving benefits under Teachers' Retirement System Plan I (TRS I) may serve as substitute teachers for 525 hours.  In addition, an emergency clause allows the retired individuals to serve up to 105 additional hours per school year without receiving a reduction in their retirement benefits.

Some believe that increasing the number of hours that retired teachers can serve as substitute teachers will remedy the substitute shortage problem that many school districts currently face.

Summary of Bill:  In addition to the 525 base hours, retired teachers or administrators receiving TRS I benefits may serve as substitute teachers for up to 315 hours without receiving a reduction in their retirement benefits.  In addition, retired principals may serve as substitute principals for up to 315 hours without receiving a reduction in their retirement benefits.  Eligibility for additional hours as a substitute teacher is dependent upon the school district showing that it has exhausted or believes it will exhaust its list of qualified substitute teachers.  Eligibility for additional hours as a substitute principal is dependent upon the school board declaring that the services of the substitute principal are necessary because it cannot find a replacement to fill a vacancy.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will give school districts a greater pool of resources to deal with the dire need for substitute teachers.  In addition, using retired teachers and administrators will ensure quality substitute teaching and provide consistency for the students.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  John Kvamme, Washington Association of School Administrators and Association of Washington School Principals (pro); Leslie Main, Washington State Retired Teachers Association (pro); Helen Carlstrom, Washington Education Association (retired) (pro); Bill Hulten, Washington School Personnel Association (pro); Bob Maier, Washington Education Association (pro); Ted Andrews, emeritus citizen (pro).