BILL REQ. #:  S-4402.1 

Read first time 01/19/2006.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to classified school employees; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that classified school employees are an integral part of the K-12 school system of services and supports to our students. The public school system would not function without the significant contributions of these employees. Services range from maintaining our investment in the physical plants; keeping our schools sanitary and clean; getting our students safely to and from school; maintaining a safe and secure environment; providing health services, food services, and clerical and financial support services; and providing library assistance and instructional assistance to students in the classroom, as well as many other invaluable supports to our students, parents, and other staff within the school community. Classified school employees provide a significant learning resource to our younger students in preparing them to meet the state learning standards. Classified school employees also play a major role in developing supportive and caring relationships with our students of all ages. The legislature believes the contribution of classified school employees can and should be enhanced to help all of our students succeed in meeting state learning standards.
     (2) The legislature finds that the K-12 funding formula for the allocation of classified school employees has remained unchanged since the inception of the basic education act in 1977. The legislature acknowledges that significant changes in the delivery of services to students have occurred since 1977. The legislature also finds that parental and societal expectations are dramatically different. Furthermore, the state, with the 1993 enactment of House Bill No. 1209, established world class learning standards for students to meet prior to graduation from public schools. The federal government also increased expectations for students with the 2001 passage of the no child left behind act.
     (3) The legislature has reviewed a number of previous funding studies and conducted its own review of our state's funding of public schools. Now the governor is in the process of studying school funding under chapter 496, Laws of 2005 (Washington Learns). The legislature hereby directs that the funding review by the Washington Learns steering committee include a thorough review of funding for classified school employees and that the Washington Learns steering committee report findings and recommendations that include recommendations on how classified school employees can enhance our students' abilities to meet state learning standards.