HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2583
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. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Education
Title: An act relating to adding charter school chief executive officers to the list of individuals who may file complaints of unprofessional conduct regarding certificated employees.
Brief Description: Adding charter school chief executive officers to the list of individuals who may file complaints of unprofessional conduct regarding certificated employees.
Sponsors: Representative Dahlquist.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Education: 1/29/14, 2/3/14 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 19 members: Representatives Santos, Chair; Stonier, Vice Chair; Dahlquist, Ranking Minority Member; Magendanz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Fey, Haigh, Hargrove, Hawkins, Hayes, S. Hunt, Klippert, Lytton, Muri, Orwall, Parker, Pollet, Seaquist and Warnick.
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
Certificated school employees may have their certificate revoked or suspended upon a criminal records report authorized by law, or upon the written complaint of the Professional Educator Standards Board or any school district superintendent, Educational Service District superintendent, or private school administrator for immorality, violation of written contract, unprofessional conduct, or crime. The complaint must contain the grounds and factual basis upon which they believe an investigation is warranted by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Such complaints are not limited to an employee of the filing authority. A reprimand may also be issued in lieu of certificate revocation or suspension.
In 2012 the voters approved Initiative 1240, which authorizes charter schools in Washington. Directors of charter schools are not listed in the current law as individuals who may file complaints against a certificated employee.
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Summary of Bill:
The Chief Executive Officer of a charter school is added to the list of individuals who may file a complaint to the OSPI regarding conduct on the part of a certificated school employee that may result in an action against the employee's certificate.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This proposal was recommended by the Washington Charter School Commission. It was hoped that this issue could be solved in rules, but it is better to make the change clear in law. This will ensure that charter schools have the authority to file complaints of unprofessional conduct for their certificated employees. It is a technical fix. Certificated charter school employees are held to the exact same standards as other public and private school certificated employees.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Dahlquist, prime sponsor; and Joshua Halsey, Washington Charter School Commission.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.