SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6259
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 Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 4, 2016
Title: An act relating to increasing compensation for school directors.
Brief Description: Increasing compensation for school directors in districts enrolling twenty thousand or more students.
Sponsors: Senators Carlyle, Litzow, Pedersen, Frockt, McAuliffe and Chase.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/28/16, 2/04/16 [DPS, DNP, w/oRec].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6259 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Litzow, Chair; Dammeier, Vice Chair; Billig, Fain, Hill and Rolfes.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator McAuliffe, Ranking Member.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Mullet.
Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)
Background: Compensation for School Board Directors. If authorized by board resolution at a regularly scheduled meeting, the members of a school district board of directors may receive compensation of $50 per day, or portion of a day, for attending board meetings and performing other services on behalf of the district. The compensation may not exceed $4,800 per year and only locally collected excess levy funds available for this purpose may be used to provide the compensation. This compensation is in addition to any reimbursement for expenses. Compensation for board members must not cause the state to incur any present or future funding obligation. Any director may waive part or all of his or her compensation.
Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials. The Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials (Commission) sets the salaries of the elected officials in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of state government. Beginning September 1, 2015, the annual salary for a legislator increased to $45,474. Beginning September 1, 2016, the annual salary for a legislator increases to $46,839.6259
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The daily compensation rate of $50 and the limit of $4,800 annually is removed. A school board of directors must establish a daily rate of compensation for board members. The annual compensation may not exceed the annual salary for a legislator as set by the Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): Removes the limitation that only school districts with a student enrollment of 20,000 or more can receive compensation that does not exceed the annual salary set for a legislator by the Citizen’s Commission on Salaries.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This legislation acknowledges the important fiduciary responsibility and commitment of boards of directors of large school districts who manage millions of dollars. It is completely permissive for large school districts to use local funds to increase the salary of the school board members up to a maximum amount. Many current school board members in large and small school districts are truly volunteers even though they could receive $50 a day. But the amount of time spent by people who serve on a board of a large school district is substantial and has evolved beyond being a “volunteer". The time requirements and lack of a reasonable salary is adversely effecting large school districts' ability to attract and retain exceptional people to serve on the board. Please consider having a range or a scalable threshold instead of a bright line at 20,000 students because student enrollment does fluctuate and a district may be over 20,000 students one year but not in a subsequent year.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Carlyle, prime sponsor; and Jessica Vavrus, WA State School Directors' Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.