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January 31, 2003

Senate Ed to work out "home rule" compromise with KNEA, KASB

On Thursday, the Senate Education Committee listened to testimony from both KASB and KNEA on SB 57, the "School District Powers of Local Control" bill. The same bill has passed both the Senate Education Committee and on the Senate floor repeatedly in the last few years.

KNEA Lobbyist Craig Grant repeated his "black hole of mischief" testimony before the committee. "Last year we worked with Representative Campbell and were ready to sign off on an agreement when we found the KASB's interpretation was that they would be allowed to unilaterally implement signing bonuses or merit pay," Grant said. "It's just this kind of thing that gives us pause."

Grant urged the committee to give a week to see if a compromise couldn't once again be worked out that would give local school boards the opportunity to efficiently conduct business without the right to unilaterally alter compensation or terms and conditions of employment. As a result, Senator Vratil will work with both groups to work out the appropriate language. Look for an update on this issue later.

Senate delays passage of '03 supplemental appropriations

The full Senate was unable to get an agreement on SB 30, the supplemental appropriations package for the 2003 fiscal year and so on Thursday delayed continued action until next week.

The bill is necessary to bring the funding for various state agencies into line with former Governor Graves' last actions. It is likely to pass next week.

ESEA continues to generate discussion in committees

Both KASB and KNEA got an opportunity to make remarks to the Senate Education Committee on the impact of the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (known in Washington as "No Child Left Behind").

KASB presented to the committee on Monday. KNEA Director of Political Action Mark Desetti, speaking the next day, used the final federal regulations to clear up any misconceptions the Senators may have had following the KASB presentation.

Among the misconceptions Desetti was able to clear up were:

• Collective Bargaining: Proposed regulations to weaken collective bargaining were dropped from the final regulations when Secretary Paige agreed that such regulations would be "inconsistent with a strict reading of the NCLB act."
• Teacher Assignment: The law does not require the "best teachers" to be in the "lowest performing classrooms" (as asserted by KASB). The section of the regulations KASB cited makes no mention of any such requirement.
• Corrective Action: While KASB indicated that state law and collective bargaining were impediments to implementing the six required sanctions under ESEA, Desetti showed Senators that the regulation requires schools to choose one of the six sanctions. Those sanctions prohibited by state law or collective bargaining agreements would simply not be implemented.

KASB to get hearings on its "no accountability" trio of bills.

On Wednesday, they will hold hearings on two bills requested by KASB. The first is HB 2059 which would allow school boards to void individual teacher contracts in the event that the Governor or legislature were to cut funding. The bill, as proposed, would allow boards full authority to choose which contracts to void regardless of any other statutes including the negotiations act, due process act, continuing contract act, or notice of non-renewal.

The other bill, HB 2060, would eliminate due process hearing officers, replacing them with a board-appointed hearing officer and forcing court actions.

KNEA is opposed to both bills and will be testifying in committee.

In a bizarre twist of logic, the House Ethics and Elections Committee will hold a hearing on HB 2061, another KASB proposal, that would prohibit the electorate from recalling school board members for either incompetence or misconduct in office. KNEA will testify in opposition to this bill as well.

Education Committees to take up professional development

Next week the House Education Committee will hold hearings and possibly take action on HB 2006 which renames the state in-service education act as the education professional development act. While the change is small, it is appropriate given current thinking about improving practice.

Before the hearing on Tuesday, they will have a presentation on professional development by Michelle Exstrom of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and Stephanie Hirsh of the National Staff Development Council (NSDC).

The Senate Education Committee will get the same presentation later in the day. Leadership of the committees will be joined for lunch with Exstrom and Hirsh by Education Commissioner Andy Tompkins, Assistant Commissioner Alexa Pochowski, SBOE Legislative Liaison Sue Gamble, Christy Levings and Mark Desetti of KNEA, Jim Edwards of KASB, Brilla Scott of USA, and a representative of Governor Sebelius' office.

Craig Grant Sings Swan Song!

Thursday, January 30, 2003 will be remembered as the day long-time KNEA lobbyist Craig Grant gave his last testimony before a committee on behalf of the Association. Grant retired after 32 years of service, 22 of them as Director of Political Action on January 31.

Calling the hearing on "home rule" his punishment for leaving, he finished his remarks with applause from the Senators and other education lobbyists gathered in the committee room.

Lobbyist Mark Desetti said, "I don't know what I'll do here without Craig. No one could ask for a better mentor but no one will miss him more than me. I hope I can fill his shoes, but it will be a tough job." Desetti will take the position of Director of Political Action effective February 1.

KNEA Legislative Contacts

Blake West, President
Mark Desetti, Director, Legislative and Political Advocacy
Terry Forsyth, Director, Political Action

The KNEA Lobby Team consists of elected leaders and staff. The Lobby Team welcomes member feedback on issues before the Legislature and on this site.