Updates on the Legislature and state government from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Paramount Duty: KUOW reports on schools and the recession
This week, Seattle NPR station KUOW is running an indepth series "Paramount Duty: K–12 Education And The Recession." Compiled by KUOW education reporter Phyllis Fletcher, the four-day series examines "how schools are struggling to meet the complex needs of an increasingly impoverished student body with less funding from shrinking budgets." The final program. airing Thursday, includes an interview with WSSDA President-elect and Tukwila School Director Mary Fertakis. Transcripts and audio from the programs are available online at http://kuow.org/specials/paramountduty.php.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Special Legislative Update: Should school districts be concerned about changing the state’s debt limit?
The 2011 special legislative session nearly ground to a halt due to a lack of agreement between the Senate and the House Democrats on whether to approve a bill that would have sought a constitutional change to the state’s debt limit. This special legislative report looks at the issue and provides links to podcast interviews with legislative proponents and opponents.
Read the full report here.
Read the full report here.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Legislative Update: Governor signs budget bills, revenue forecast down again
Saying she was truly dismayed by $1.8 billion in cuts to education, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the 2011-13 operating budget June 15.
The largest reductions were in suspending I-728 and I-732 and eliminating K-4 class size enhancement for about $1.4 billion in “savings” to the state.
Another large reduction was $179 million for K-12 salaries – 3 percent for administrators and 1.9 percent for certificated and classified staff – which shifted the state budget problem to local school districts, forcing them to determine whether to pass on the reduction or make up the difference.
Read the full update here.
The largest reductions were in suspending I-728 and I-732 and eliminating K-4 class size enhancement for about $1.4 billion in “savings” to the state.
Another large reduction was $179 million for K-12 salaries – 3 percent for administrators and 1.9 percent for certificated and classified staff – which shifted the state budget problem to local school districts, forcing them to determine whether to pass on the reduction or make up the difference.
Read the full update here.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
A quick view of bills passed that affect public schools, K-12 funding
WSSDA is preparing a summary of the 2011 legislative session and special session, which will be available soon.
In the meantime, here is an updated chart of bills that passed in 2011. While no means exhaustive, the chart reflects the main education policy and fiscal bills that have landed on Gov. Chris Gregoire’s desk, and may be useful to school directors who need a quick summary of the session(s).
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Legislative Wrapup Report: For a Few Dollars More
With less than two hours to spare, the 2011 legislature adjourned Wednesday, May 25, ending the special session with the House and Senate gaveling the day to a close together with a mixture of relief and celebration.
The final days were marked by exceptionally long hours and closed door sessions, and once a budget agreement was delivered Monday, the pace picked up. It was time to go home.
The 2011-13 operating budget, E2SHB 1087, includes $4.5 billion in reductions and $459 million in transfers, to close a $4.9 billion budget shortfall. It also leaves more than $700 million in reserves.
In many cases, the budget represents a continuation of funding decisions started in the 2009-11 biennial budget, last December’s budget bill (HB 3225) and the early action supplemental budget in February (ESHB 1086).
Read the Full Update
The final days were marked by exceptionally long hours and closed door sessions, and once a budget agreement was delivered Monday, the pace picked up. It was time to go home.
The 2011-13 operating budget, E2SHB 1087, includes $4.5 billion in reductions and $459 million in transfers, to close a $4.9 billion budget shortfall. It also leaves more than $700 million in reserves.
In many cases, the budget represents a continuation of funding decisions started in the 2009-11 biennial budget, last December’s budget bill (HB 3225) and the early action supplemental budget in February (ESHB 1086).
Read the Full Update
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Go ahead, make my day
The Senate recently passed the 2011-13 operating budget (ESHB 1087), the 2011-13 capital budget bond bill (HB 2020) and the construction cash only bill (ESHB 1497), and the bill that would task a blue ribbon commission with reviewing the state's debt limit and putting a lower working rate in place (starting in 2015).
Other bills that have passed in the last two hours are ESHB 1410, which would delay the requirement to pass the science assessment to graduate until the class of 2015, and ESB 5919, the policy bill that puts in place many of the education funding cuts including a new formula for the Transitional Bilingual program that will phase in 2012-13.
A handful of other bills have made their way across both chambers, and it appears that they are ready to sine die. The big doors are opening and all looks well.
Congratulations legislators - you did it!
Other bills that have passed in the last two hours are ESHB 1410, which would delay the requirement to pass the science assessment to graduate until the class of 2015, and ESB 5919, the policy bill that puts in place many of the education funding cuts including a new formula for the Transitional Bilingual program that will phase in 2012-13.
A handful of other bills have made their way across both chambers, and it appears that they are ready to sine die. The big doors are opening and all looks well.
Congratulations legislators - you did it!
Rolling in the deep
With eight hours left to go on Day 30 of the special session, the wheels are turning slowly.
The House came in at 9 a.m., went into caucus, and has emerged to pass the capital budget, the bond bill and the blue ribbon commission on right-sizing the state's debt limit. A couple of other bills have passed as well, but big ticket items like state agency consolidation remain.
The Senate has also been rather pokey, with the operating budget, capital budget, bond bill, ALE funding, and education reforms still on the calendar. After a three-hour "recess" over lunch to go back to the table on the operating budget for a unexpected glitch, they are on the floor.
As long as the Senate passes the capital budget, the school construction assistance program is golden. In addition, the capital budget includes $20 million for energy efficiency grants, $5 million for emergency repairs, and funding for three skills centers plus $1 million for Aviation High School.
More later ... it's time for science, finally.
The House came in at 9 a.m., went into caucus, and has emerged to pass the capital budget, the bond bill and the blue ribbon commission on right-sizing the state's debt limit. A couple of other bills have passed as well, but big ticket items like state agency consolidation remain.
The Senate has also been rather pokey, with the operating budget, capital budget, bond bill, ALE funding, and education reforms still on the calendar. After a three-hour "recess" over lunch to go back to the table on the operating budget for a unexpected glitch, they are on the floor.
As long as the Senate passes the capital budget, the school construction assistance program is golden. In addition, the capital budget includes $20 million for energy efficiency grants, $5 million for emergency repairs, and funding for three skills centers plus $1 million for Aviation High School.
More later ... it's time for science, finally.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
House begins floor action on budget
The House is beginning work on the 2011-13 operating budget. Speaker Frank
Chopp, D-Seattle, is running the floor action.
Chopp, D-Seattle, is running the floor action.
Capital budget deal announced
The agreement includes a smaller capital budget and some limits to the debt capacity.
The capital budget will include a $1.1 billion bond budget ... HB 2020. Senator Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, said that every school district that has passed a bond measure will get the school construction assistance they have been counting on, plus some funding for skills centers is included.
On the constitutional amendment, the compromise is to put something into statute this year on a working debt limit but not to seek an amendment at this time.
Reporting on the agreement, Senator Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, indicated that they have agreed on reducing the debt limit over time and will create a blue ribbbon commission to assist with the thinking on what the right level of debt should be. The commission will include legislators, the state treasurer, OFM, and others with expertise on bonds and financing.
SB 5181 will create the commission, and will put in place a working debt limit smaller than the 9% currently in the constitution. The working debt limit is currently 8.75, and bonding capacity has been based on a three-year average; the language they are working on is to reduce this over time, with a goal of reducing the debt service in the operating budget to about 5.5 percent.
A constitutional amendment has been put aside for now, although it might be something the blue ribbon commission may recommend.
The cash projects in the capital budget will show up in a striking amendment for SHB 1497. This is a new approach, according to ranking committee member Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, where the bond bill (HB 2020) and the cash bill (HB 1497) will be more transparent on what the state is buying.
No bills or summary details yet; probably tomorrow. Negotiators worked until 5 a.m., and gave the Governor and the governor's office credit for helping them reach agreement.
The press conference will be available on TVW later today.
The capital budget will include a $1.1 billion bond budget ... HB 2020. Senator Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, said that every school district that has passed a bond measure will get the school construction assistance they have been counting on, plus some funding for skills centers is included.
On the constitutional amendment, the compromise is to put something into statute this year on a working debt limit but not to seek an amendment at this time.
Reporting on the agreement, Senator Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, indicated that they have agreed on reducing the debt limit over time and will create a blue ribbbon commission to assist with the thinking on what the right level of debt should be. The commission will include legislators, the state treasurer, OFM, and others with expertise on bonds and financing.
SB 5181 will create the commission, and will put in place a working debt limit smaller than the 9% currently in the constitution. The working debt limit is currently 8.75, and bonding capacity has been based on a three-year average; the language they are working on is to reduce this over time, with a goal of reducing the debt service in the operating budget to about 5.5 percent.
A constitutional amendment has been put aside for now, although it might be something the blue ribbon commission may recommend.
The cash projects in the capital budget will show up in a striking amendment for SHB 1497. This is a new approach, according to ranking committee member Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, where the bond bill (HB 2020) and the cash bill (HB 1497) will be more transparent on what the state is buying.
No bills or summary details yet; probably tomorrow. Negotiators worked until 5 a.m., and gave the Governor and the governor's office credit for helping them reach agreement.
The press conference will be available on TVW later today.
Legislative Update: Compromise operating budget announced
House and Senate leaders and budget negotiators gathered this morning to announce a bi-partisan budget that makes $4.6 billion in reductions, including some painful cuts to K-12 education.
While not ideal, early agreement had been reached on suspending citizen initiatives on class size (I-728) and COLAs (I-732), which would save the state at least $1.2 billion right off the bat. K-4 class size enhancements were also on the chopping block, which cut about $170 million.
Districts had also expected a June apportionment shift, but the hit is less than originally projected—$128 million shifted from June 30 to July 1.
The compromise budget also includes $33.5 million for K-3 class size reduction in high poverty schools.
Local effort assistance (LEA) was protected in both the House and Senate budget proposals, and remains preserved in the compromise plan.
One of the largest cuts to K-12 is a 1.9 percent salary reduction for certificated and classified staff and 3 percent for administrative staff. An exemption is included for those who make less than $30,000. The cut represents $179 million that will be pushed down to local districts to deal with.
Read the full update.
While not ideal, early agreement had been reached on suspending citizen initiatives on class size (I-728) and COLAs (I-732), which would save the state at least $1.2 billion right off the bat. K-4 class size enhancements were also on the chopping block, which cut about $170 million.
Districts had also expected a June apportionment shift, but the hit is less than originally projected—$128 million shifted from June 30 to July 1.
The compromise budget also includes $33.5 million for K-3 class size reduction in high poverty schools.
Local effort assistance (LEA) was protected in both the House and Senate budget proposals, and remains preserved in the compromise plan.
One of the largest cuts to K-12 is a 1.9 percent salary reduction for certificated and classified staff and 3 percent for administrative staff. An exemption is included for those who make less than $30,000. The cut represents $179 million that will be pushed down to local districts to deal with.
Read the full update.
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