After many discussions on improving education in a tight budget year, the Legislature passed House Bill 2776, which is a continuation of the education reform package approved last year. Reps. Skip Priest and Pat Sullivan co-sponsored the measure that will now be forwarded to the governor for final approval.
House Bill 2776 sets in motion a series of recommendations from the Quality Education Council, a group tasked with implementing the reforms outlined in last year’s measure, House Bill 2261.
“We made a big promise with last year’s reform bill. Passing this bill was critical not only because of the need to move forward on key reforms, but also to prove our commitment to transforming our funding system despite the economic challenges we face,” said Sullivan, D-Covington.
“We have a constitutional duty and are constantly reminded that we need to be extraordinarily thoughtful with the taxpayers’ dollars. The recommendations in the bill are based on common sense, research and the constitution. This bill puts us on a pathway to meet our responsibility to our education system and, most importantly, our students,” said Priest, R-Federal Way. “We now have a concrete blueprint to take steps that ensure we follow through with the recommendations of the Quality Education Council. Too often we talk education policy without matching the dollars to implement the policies. With the passage of House Bill 2776, we are reversing that trend.”
As passed, House Bill 2776:
• Establishes a new prototypical school funding model that will simplify the budgeting process and increase transparency
• Requires a phase-in of smaller classes of 17 students in kindergarten through third grade by the 2015-16 school year
• Requires increased funding for maintenance and operations, costs the state currently provides about half the funding for
• Implements a new pupil transportation funding method
• Accelerates the workgroups focused on local levy and teacher compensation issues.
Both legislators believe House Bill 2776 creates a more thoughtful and strategic approach to deliver the education reforms over the seven years the plan spans.
