Teacher Cottages.  Current state law requires school board directors of second-class school districts to build schoolhouses and teachers' cottages when directed by a vote of the district to do so, and may purchase real property for any school district purpose.  It also allows second-class districts to provide suitable dwellings and accommodations for teachers, supervisors, and necessary assistants.

Any school district that has a student enrollment in its public schools of 2000 or more students is a first-class school district.  School districts with fewer than 2000 students are second-class school districts.

Board of Supervisors that Approves School Property Plans.  Second-class districts or a combination of districts must submit certain plans regarding school property to be approved by a board of supervisors that has certain members.

Leasehold Excise Tax.  Leasehold excise tax is assessed on the use of public property by a private party and is in lieu of property tax.  The tax rate is 0.1284 of the rent paid for the property.  Approximately 53 percent of the tax is directed to the state general fund and 47 percent of the tax is returned to the county and city in which the leased property is located.

Current state law exempts certain leasehold interests from the leasehold excise tax including all leasehold interests in facilities owned or used by a school, college, or university which leasehold provides housing for students and which is otherwise exempt from certain taxation.

Housing for School District Employees.  The board of directors of any school district may build teachers' cottages or other single or multifamily housing for school district employees, when directed by a vote of the qualified electors of the school district to do so.

The board of directors may find the provision of housing for school district employees to be necessary or proper to recruit or retain qualified school district employees or otherwise carry out the functions of the district.  Upon such finding, the provision of such housing is in furtherance of the district's fundamental governmental purpose.

Rental or other income from housing, including sale, may be deposited into the school district's general fund to be used for general maintenance, utility, insurance costs, and any other costs associated with the lease or rental of such property and for other district purposes including costs related to operating and maintaining school facilities.

Any school district may enter into an agreement with any municipality, taxing district, or municipal corporation regarding conveying or leasing any lands, properties, or facilities for the development of single or multifamily housing for school district employees or to provide for the joint use, or to participate in the financing as may be fixed by agreement between the respective legislative bodies.

Board of Supervisors that Approves School Property Plans.  The statute creating the board of supervisors to approve certain plans regarding school property is repealed.

Leasehold Excise Tax.  All leasehold interests in facilities owned or used by a school district in which the leasehold provides housing for students or school district employees is exempt from leasehold excise tax.  This exemption expires January 1, 2032.

PRO:  There is a housing affordability crisis in our communities, and this bill would allow districts to put to the people the question of whether they should be able to provide housing to teachers through levy funds.  The bill expands the use of a 100-year-old law in Washington State to all districts.  The bill would also allow districts to partner with other municipal organizations and provide a new tool to use smaller parcels of property.  The bill enables school districts to better retain staff, particularly staff in underrepresented communities that might otherwise be deterred by housing costs.  This bill retains local control over these decisions.  Many educators are priced out of the communities they work in.  Lack of housing is an obstacle to the retention of teachers in all school districts.  Teachers living out of district also leads to increased carbon emissions and congestion.  This legislation is a way to provide housing to first responders in addition to school staff, all while not increasing education costs.

PRO:  This bill helps communities respond to today's housing challenges.  Bonds used to finance staff housing must still go before the voters to pass a local bond and a super majority vote of 60 percent is still required.  Our district is in a housing affordability crisis.  Teachers cannot afford to live in our community and some of our best teachers are commuting 75 miles round trip just to access affordable housing.  Even our highest paid employee does not make enough to afford a median priced house in our area.  This bill gives teachers greater opportunities to live near the school where they teach.