HB 1325: School distr. reorganization

Summary

• Requires the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) to lead a district reorganization initiative to streamline and provide efficiencies in the operation of school districts and Educational Service Districts (ESDs).
• Establishes a Statewide School District Reorganization Commission (Commission) if the Superintendent of Public Instruction finds the WSSDA initiative has not resulted in sufficient cost savings or efficiencies by January 1, 2014.
• Directs the Commission to prepare a reorganization plan to result in no more than 150 school districts and a revised number and boundaries of the ESDs.
• Requires the reorganization plan to be submitted by December 1, 2016 in the form of proposed legislation.
• Provides that the proposed legislation containing the list of districts and their boundaries may be amended only by a two-thirds vote of each house of the Legislature.
• Provides for districts to appeal their reorganization to the Commission or submit an alternative proposal that will achieve significant efficiencies and reductions in operating costs.

From the House Bill Analysis 2011 (HB 1325), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗