HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6244

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Metcalf, Vognild, Anderson, McMullen, Nelson, Bender, Kiskaddon, Smith and Barr)

Providing additional capital construction assistance to certain small school districts.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Betrozoff, Butterfield, Cole, Cooper, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Holland, Holm, P. King, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Rust, Todd and Walker.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 26, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, school districts are eligible for state matching funds for school construction projects approved by the State Board of Education.  The amount of the state match varies from 20 percent to 90 percent according to the classification of the approved project.

SUMMARY:

A new category of eligibility for a 90 percent match from state funds for school construction is established for certain small school districts. School districts are eligible for a 90 percent state match for approved school construction projects if they meet each of the following criteria:  (1) In the current and preceding two school years the district's annual average enrollment of fulltime equivalent students (FTEs) does not exceed 600; (2) In the current school year at least 45 percent of the lunches served in the district are free and reduced price meals; (3) The district's special levy assessed valuation per resident FTE student does not exceed $200,000, for special levies collectible in the current and preceding two years; and (4) More than 50 percent of the total acreage comprising the district is exempt from school district special levy taxation.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 16, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Pete Selvig, Darrington Legislative Liaison; Bill Walter; Terry Heindl, Rural Education Center; Wayne Sizemore, Darrington resident; Linda Mc Pherson, Darrington School Board Member; Shannon O'Malley, Student; Charlene Feldsted, Darrington parent; Susan Richler, Darrington School Board Member; Les Hagen, Darrington resident; Ann Acosta, Darrington parent; Larry Swift, Washington State School Directors' Association; Ward Hind, Snohomish County Health Department; Jon Gores, Rainier Bank; Dave Arbaugh, Brian Lewis, Darrington Chamber of Commerce; Representative Sim Wilson, Representative Mary Margaret Haugen, Representative Art Sprinkle; Senator Jack Metcalf; Senator Cliff Bailey; and Senator Larry Vognild.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Darrington is a community that is proud of its schools and wants to provide the best possible education for its children.  With the amount of property in the district which is not subject to special levy taxation, it is impossible for the district to pass a levy that the citizens can afford.  Consequently we must get by with a building that is 1/3rd condemned without a gym, without a lunch room that meets health standards and with classrooms that have no heat and a leaky roof.  The result has been low morale for our students, faculty and citizens. This is an issue of equity.  The community is willing to do all it can but there is only so much that the taxpayers of the area can afford.  We need the help of the Legislature.  There are approximately eight other districts that are in similar circumstances and would be eligible for this program.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.