SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5574

As of February 6, 2001

Title:  An act relating to educational staff associate positions.

Brief Description:  Determining years of service for educational staff associate positions.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Carlson, Eide, Kohl‑Welles and Rasmussen; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/7/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Kelly Simpson (786‑7403)

Background:  Educational staff associates (ESA=s) are professional certificated school employees and include the following school staff positions:  (1) occupational therapists; (2) physical therapists; (3) speech-language pathologists; (4) audiologists; (5) nurses; (6) social workers; (7) counselors; and (8) psychologists.

Under current law, ESA=s are included in the statewide salary allocation schedule used to distribute funds for basic education certificated instructional staff salaries.  This schedule takes into account years of service and educational background.  The current years of service determination applies only to service in schools and not to service in other nonschool positions, such as work in a hospital, physician=s office, or counseling center.

Summary of Bill:  For purposes of the statewide salary allocation schedule, years of service determinations for specified ESA=s may include experience in nonschool positions in addition to service in school positions.  When calculating years of service for nonschool positions until the 2003-04 school year, every two years of service in nonschool positions must be counted as one year of service on the salary allocation schedule.  Beginning with the 2004-05 school year, every one year of service in nonschool positions must be counted as one year of service on the salary allocation schedule.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 31, 2001.

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