FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 5184
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 45 L 11
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Regarding compliance reports for second-class school districts.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Schoesler, King, Carrell, Delvin and Holmquist Newbry).
Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education
House Committee on Education
Background: School districts are required to report a myriad of information to the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI). The requirements appear in several chapters of Title 28A of the RCW, which encompasses the laws related to the common schools. Common schools are public schools operating a program for kindergarten through 12th grade or any part thereof.
A second-class school district has less than 2,000 students. Currently, 188 of Washington's 295 school districts are second-class.
Summary: Beginning September 1, 2011, second-class school districts may annually submit a condensed compliance report to the SPI. The districts that choose to submit these reports must:
dedicate a public meeting for reviewing the report and receiving public testimony;
adopt the report at a public meeting; and
require the report to be signed by the school district superintendent and the school board chair and be notarized.
School districts may voluntarily submit compliance information to the SPI concerning programs not funded. Compliance requests do not include data required to be submitted by federal or state law or for the purposes of program evaluation or accountability, including data for a comprehensive K-12 education data improvement system.
The SPI must develop a condensed compliance report form for second-class school districts by August 1, 2011. The form will allow the districts to choose one of the following for each funded program: (1) it has complied or received a State Board of Education waiver; (2) it has not complied and includes an explanation or steps taken to comply; or (3) it has received a grant for less than half a full-time equivalent instructional staff. In order to determine whether districts have documentation to support the condensed compliance report, SPI may conduct random audits.
The majority of chapters in Title 28A RCW include a provision that allows second-class school districts to meet their compliance requirements with a condensed compliance report.
The act includes a federal severability clause.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 49 | 0 | |
House | 94 | 0 |
Effective: | July 22, 2011. |