While both the House (page 2) and Senate (page 10) have passed versions of a supplemental budget designed to chip away at the projected $566 million shortfall (originally $1.1 billion last November) in the fiscal year that ends this June, budget negotiators are still grappling with proposal differences.
House and Senate Ways & Means chairs and ranking members met with the governor’s office for a “five-corners” meeting late Friday afternoon and appear to be getting close to an agreement.
Read the full update.
Updates on the Legislature and state government from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Legislative Meetings of Interest: Feb. 14-18
We've just posted a list of the coming week's House and Senate Committee meetings that will involve education-related bills and topics. See the full list here.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Leg. Update: Dozens turn out for hearing on “consolidation” bill
Opponents to HB 1325 nearly filled hearing room A in the John L. O’Brien building for the House Education Committee public hearing today.
While only six people were given time to speak on the bill due to a packed agenda, at the request of Jim Kowalkowski, Davenport schools superintendent, those in opposition stood to show committee members how many had journeyed to Olympia to voice their concerns about the efficiencies and “consolidation” bill...
Read the full update.
While only six people were given time to speak on the bill due to a packed agenda, at the request of Jim Kowalkowski, Davenport schools superintendent, those in opposition stood to show committee members how many had journeyed to Olympia to voice their concerns about the efficiencies and “consolidation” bill...
Read the full update.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Leg. Update: Washington FRN delegation returns home
Nearly 30 school directors from across the state gathered in Washington, D.C. this week to meet with their congressional members, and learn about national education issues and how those issues might affect Washington state’s school districts.
Yesterday, school directors met with U.S. Senator Patty Murray, six of the nine congressional members, and education analysts for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell and the other three congressmen...
Read the full update.
Yesterday, school directors met with U.S. Senator Patty Murray, six of the nine congressional members, and education analysts for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell and the other three congressmen...
Read the full update.
Monday, February 7, 2011
WSSDA meets with US Dept of Education
A Washington delegation of school directors are in Washington, DC for an annual meeting with congressional members. Formally called the Federal Relations Network, the event brings together school directors from across the country. Prior to meetings on the hill, school directors hear about federal issues, including common national standards, funding, the new political environment, consolidation, vouchers, and much more.
In a meeting this morning with representatives from the US Department of Education, school directors shared information on reauthorization of ESEA, changing the Title I allocation formula, our concerns about competitive grants to states rather than traditional funding processes, and STEM initiatives.
During the meeting, we learned that Gov. Chris Gregoire is meeting with USDOE Secretary Arne Duncan today to discuss her proposed education restructuring plan. WSSDA board members and executive director Jonelle Adams expressed our issues and concerns with the proposal, particularly our concern about the lack of independent voice on education issues.
Duncan is the keynote speaker at lunch today - about to start in 15 minutes.
In a meeting this morning with representatives from the US Department of Education, school directors shared information on reauthorization of ESEA, changing the Title I allocation formula, our concerns about competitive grants to states rather than traditional funding processes, and STEM initiatives.
During the meeting, we learned that Gov. Chris Gregoire is meeting with USDOE Secretary Arne Duncan today to discuss her proposed education restructuring plan. WSSDA board members and executive director Jonelle Adams expressed our issues and concerns with the proposal, particularly our concern about the lack of independent voice on education issues.
Duncan is the keynote speaker at lunch today - about to start in 15 minutes.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Leg. Update: Senate passes supplemental budget, negotiations begin
In an unusual show of bipartisan support, the Senate passed the 2011 supplemental budget 38-9 on Friday, February 4th. Conversations on budget differences between the Senate and House have started, and there is an expectation that ESHB 1086 will be voted on and delivered to the Governor’s desk sometime next week.
On K-12 funding, the Senate spending plan would protect local effort assistance, but would make retroactive cuts to K-4 class size enhancement of about $25 million. The bill that passed the House cut $42 million from K-4 and included a $5 million contingency fund for districts that experienced financial issues during this school year – the Senate keeps a $2.5 million contingency fund.
Read the full update here.
On K-12 funding, the Senate spending plan would protect local effort assistance, but would make retroactive cuts to K-4 class size enhancement of about $25 million. The bill that passed the House cut $42 million from K-4 and included a $5 million contingency fund for districts that experienced financial issues during this school year – the Senate keeps a $2.5 million contingency fund.
Read the full update here.
Legislative meetings of interest: Feb. 7-11
We've just posted a list of the coming week's House and Senate Committee meetings that will involve education-related bills and topics. Get the full list here.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Leg. Update: Supplemental budget moves closer to final passage
The Senate Ways & Means Committee adopted a few amendments during executive session today, including removing a restriction on summer school vocational programs – a request made by OSPI, the Washington Center for Career and Technical Education, and WSSDA at the Feb. 2nd public hearing.
Read the full update here.
Read the full update here.
Budget committees discuss supplemental budget proposals
After hearing public testimony this afternoon, the Senate Ways & Means will take up any amendments to what has been touted as a "bipartisan approach" to reduce the funding gap for this fiscal year. The hearing is live on TVW.
Meanwhile, the House Ways & Means is getting a briefing on how the Senate budget proposal differs from what passed the House last month.
The biggest difference in K-12 is the reduced amount of K-4 class size funding (House cut by $42 million; Senate proposes $25 million). No real changes to the early learning department's budget, but some more significant changes to the higher education system, including cutting state-funded research and making a tuition transfer of $25.3 million for financial aid.
In addition, the House proposed a $5 million contingency fund for school districts that might have a challenge meeting financial obligations in this school year; the Senate reduces that fund to $2.5 million.
Meanwhile, the House Ways & Means is getting a briefing on how the Senate budget proposal differs from what passed the House last month.
The biggest difference in K-12 is the reduced amount of K-4 class size funding (House cut by $42 million; Senate proposes $25 million). No real changes to the early learning department's budget, but some more significant changes to the higher education system, including cutting state-funded research and making a tuition transfer of $25.3 million for financial aid.
In addition, the House proposed a $5 million contingency fund for school districts that might have a challenge meeting financial obligations in this school year; the Senate reduces that fund to $2.5 million.
Senate education committee considers advertising on school buses
Sen. Paull Shin, D-Mukilteo, has introduced SB 5220, which would allow advertising on school buses. WSSDA testified with some concerns, asking the legislature to put some "side boards" around what might be appropriate advertising. Some states have authorized advertising (and some states have made decisions NOT to advertise).
If the committee wants to move the bill forward, WSSDA asked that the bill include specific prohibitions, as well as whether advertising should be allowed on the outside or inside buses, or both. In addition, the bill needs to make adopting a policy on advertising optional, and should not include any dates for roll out to allow school districts to take advantage of lessons learned in other states to be applied in Washington.
If the committee wants to move the bill forward, WSSDA asked that the bill include specific prohibitions, as well as whether advertising should be allowed on the outside or inside buses, or both. In addition, the bill needs to make adopting a policy on advertising optional, and should not include any dates for roll out to allow school districts to take advantage of lessons learned in other states to be applied in Washington.
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