HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6823

As Passed House:

March 13, 2002

Title:  An act relating to the formula for determining certificated instructional staff salaries for state‑funded basic education certificated instructional staff.

Brief Description:  Regarding the salary formula for state‑funded basic education certificated instructional staff.

Sponsors:  By Senators Finkbeiner and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/13/02, 50-47.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction, when calculating salary allocations for certificated instructional staff, to use the state salary allocation schedule and related documents, conditions, and limitations established by the Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Majority/Minority Report:  None.

Staff:  Denise Graham (786‑7137).

Background:

The Legislature is required by statute to establish in the appropriations act a salary allocation schedule to distribute state funds to school districts for basic education certificated instructional staff in the apportionment and special education programs.  The salary allocation schedule is one of the documents used by the state to account for differences in the education and experience of each district's certificated instructional staff.  The greater the experience and education of the district's staff, the higher the pay.

The calculation of average certificated instructional staff for purposes of allocating basic education salaries is limited to two programs, apportionment and special education.  School districts have some latitude in determining to which program a teacher is assigned.  If a district assigns its more experienced and educated teachers to the state basic education program and its less experienced teachers to other programs, the district can increase its allocation of state funds.  The statewide average education and experience of teachers in all programs is lower than the statewide average education and experience of teachers in the apportionment and special education programs.

Summary of Bill:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction, when calculating salary allocations for certificated instructional staff, is required to use the state salary allocation schedule and related documents, conditions, and limitations established by the Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on September 1, 2002.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.