HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1757

As Amended by the Senate

BYRepresentatives Fuhrman, Morris, Dellwo, Raiter, Cooper, Brumsickle, Grant, H. Myers, Peery, Ballard, Hankins, Smith, Rector and Nealey

Permitting certain second class school districts to hire officers' spouses as substitute teachers.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Jones, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 9, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Currently, no municipal officer shall benefit directly or indirectly, in any contract which may be made by, through or under the supervision of such officer, in whole or in part.  Exceptions have been made: 1) In second class school districts for contracts to drive school buses so long as the compensation is the same as for other bus drivers, and 2) For employment as a certificated or classified employee in districts of less than 250 full time equivalent students for the spouse of an officer of the second class school district.

SUMMARY:

An exception would be added to allow contracting with the spouse of an officer of a second class school district as a substitute teacher in districts of less than 500 full time equivalent students.  The salary shall be commensurate with the pay plan or collective bargaining agreement applicable to all district employees.

The school district board of directors shall adopt a written policy on the procedure for letting of any contract with the spouse of a municipal officer. The policy shall include provisions to ensure fairness and the appearance of fairness in all matters pertaining to employment contracts so authorized.

An emergency is declared and this act shall take effect immediately.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  A provision is added requiring the school district to find there is a shortage of substitute teachers before hiring the spouse of an officer of a second class school district in which less than 500 students are enrolled.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

Effective Date:The bill declares an emergency and shall take effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jerald Sheffels, School Board Member, Wilbur School District; Dwayne Slate Washington State School Directors' Association; and Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The availability of qualified substitute teachers in small districts is a major problem.  In one small community there are 11 qualified substitute teachers to serve three school districts in the area.  The districts frequently have five or six absent teachers during a typical day in the winter.  There are only two substitutes trained to work with high school level students.  If there is an extended leave by a teacher for illness or maternity leave the need for substitutes can become critical.  We need to be allowed to utilize trained teachers who are spouses of board members if they are treated like other substitute teachers.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 95; Excused 3

Excused:    Representatives Day, Dellwo and Hankins.