This week marked a significant shift to budget discussions. Both houses released and started amending their supplemental budgets for 2021, operating budgets for 2021-23, capital budgets, and transportation budgets. Today is the deadline for fiscal committees to pass bills and read them into the record on the floor from both House and Senate fiscal committees. Ensuring that policy bills with fiscal notes kept moving, in addition to combing through and providing initial feedback on all of these budgets, has made for a very busy week for everyone.

The Legislature will now focus on floor action to move bills out of the opposite house by the April 11th deadline, while also negotiating on final budget language by the final day of the session (we hope!) on April 25th. 

The state revenue forecast in mid-March showed revenue projections are strong, and a third round of federal funds with approximately $1.7 billion dollars for K-12 education in our state is on its way. This good budget news means that stable funding for education over the next few years should be possible. However, there are many details to sort out to make sure that the state does its part to stabilize schools, especially because there are inconsistencies in how ESSER dollars will be allocated to districts across the state.

The Senate budget proposal (SB 5092) provides $192 million for a $1,500 per pupil floor amount for those districts that receive little to no ESSER funds. They also provide $358 million as a one-time increase to support student transportation for the 2020-21 school year, but policy language in SB 5128  needs to be clarified so districts can access this funding for the variety of ways that they have used buses and drivers this school year. For more analysis of the entire Senate budget proposal, check out this interview with Ways and Means Chair Christine Rolfes from the Washington State Wire.

The House budget proposal (HB 1094)  provides $278 million to extend the 2021-22 school year by five days. This was amended to include a menu of options for districts including additional school days, additional school contracts for staff, professional learning, data systems, or direct supports to students to improve engagement and learning recovery. The House also included specific language that corrects future funding formula problems related to pandemic enrollment numbers for categorical programs such as LAP, special education, TBIP, etc… which is important. Here is more information on the entire House budget proposal.

For a comparison of all of the education budgets, check out this easy-to-read chart from the League of Education Voters. Many different programs like childcare, connectivity and devices, additional school counselors, MTSS, training for paraeducators, and nurses are included in at least one or all of these budgets. And for those of you who want an even greater level of detail, the amazing Dan Steele from WASA provides almost 20 pages of analysis in his first look at both budgets.

We sent a letter to the budget chairs from the principals’ perspective on including funding in the final budget for nurses, inclusionary practices project, MTSS, support for students experiencing homelessness, institutional education, dual credit, and ASB grant funds. And we continue to celebrate that AWSL, Cispus, and Outdoor School for All receive funding in both budgets. 

We also signed on to a letter along with our partners in the School Funding Coalition on three main goals of the budget: enrollment stabilization, transportation stabilization, and support for learning recovery and acceleration.

Take Action!

If you are interested and able to advocate with your legislators, feel free to use this language in your messages to them. A short email to your legislators that shows your support for any or all of these critical programs would be greatly appreciated. Here's a link to find their contact information. 

Bills Still Alive 

House Bills in the Senate

• HB 1028 | Repealing the EdTPA
• HB 1085 | Students with seizure disorders
• HB 1113 | Concerning school attendance
• HB 1121 | Emergency graduation waiver
• HB 1139 | Taking action to address lead in drinking water
• HB 1162 | Concerning high school graduation credit (20 credits) and pathway options (performance exhibition)
• HB 1176 | Access to higher education (fines and fees)
• HB 1208 | Modifying the learning assistance program
• HB 1213 | Expanding accessible, affordable child care and early learning
• HB 1214 | Providing K–12 public school safety and security services by classified staff
• HB 1225 | School-based health care centers
• HB 1273 | Concerning menstrual products in schools
• HB 1295 | Concerning institutional education
• HB 1302 | Concerning college in the high school programs
• HB 1325 | Implementing policies related to children and youth behavioral health
• HB 1342 | Eliminating lunch copays for students who qualify for reduced-price lunches
• HB 1356 | Prohibiting the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols or images as public school mascots, logos, or team names
• HB 1365 | Procuring and supporting appropriate computers and devices for public school students and staff
• HB 1373 | Promoting student access to information about behavioral health resources
• HB 1426 | Continuing education requirements for administrators and teachers
• HB 1476 | Addressing enrollment declines
• HB 1484 | Concerning the statewide first responder building mapping information system

Senate Bills in the House

• SB 5030 | Comprehensive school counseling programs
• SB 5043 | Providing housing to school district employees
• SB 5044 | Professional learning related to equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism in schools
• SB 5128 | Concerning student transportation funding
• SB 5184 | Establishing a point of contact in all K–12 schools for students in foster care
• SB 5202 | Establishing school district depreciation sub-funds for the purposes of preventative maintenance
• SB 5237 | Expanding accessible, affordable child care and early childhood development programs
• SB 5242 | Supporting media literacy and digital citizenship
• SB 5249 | Mastery based learning
• SB 5265 | Creating a bridge year pilot program
• SB 5299 | Allowing computer science courses as a third year of either a math or science graduation requirement
• SB 5322 | Prohibiting dual enrollment between SEBB and PEBB
• SB 5327 | Creating a confidential youth safety and well-being tip line
• SB 5376 | Promoting awareness of the governor’s office of the education ombudsman

More Links

• How to Sign-in for Remote Testimony (register a position, written, or live testimony)
• Fred Yancey’s Retirement & Health Benefits Update
• Dan Steele’s (WASA) This Week in Olympia (TWIO)
• TVW
• Legislative Website
• AWSP Advocacy and Action Center

In this edition of AWSP News, we discuss:

• National Assistant Principals Week,
• NAESP recognizing AWSP for the highest membership count and percentage in the country,
• the Washington State Legislature considering a budget request for Outdoor School,
• Roz’s legislative update,
• AWSL’s Summer Leadership Series,
• a chance to help a rock star AP Capstone student and a Phd Student, and
• the 2021 WASA/AWSP Summer Conference.

Prefer to read the news? Check out the script.

This content is emailed weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each newsletter contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up to date. Please consult your district attorney if you are looking for legal advice.  

“I say money has no value; it’s just the way you spend it.” ― William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury

The good news is that K–12 got all the dollars they needed and more. The bad news is that April Fool’s Day ran long.

Most of the policy and fiscal bills are moving to their respective Rules Committees where they may then move to floor action. Lurking in the background are the two proposed budgets with the fiscal leaders of both houses beginning to discuss compromise and agreement. Floor action, opposite house reaction, and debates are occurring to move bills out of the opposite house by their April 11th deadline. Budget negotiations are going on behind closed doors as adjournment will occur on April 25th.

Earlier bills that have either passed or ‘died’ have been covered in previous reports. This summary covers what is still in play.

Retirement Related Proposals

*New: HB 1565: House Appropriations Committee approved a budget amendment offered by Representative Jesse Johnson to grant a one-time 1.5% COLA to TRS1/PERS1 members. HB 1565 was introduced to implement this COLA proposal. The bill is still awaiting a public hearing by the House Appropriations Committee. While the gesture is appreciated by retirees, the details of the bill are troublesome. Past COLA bills (2018, 2020) granting 3%, set the maximum benefit increase at $62.50/month on a $25,000 base. (In other words, the 3% applied to the first $25,000 of a person’s pension.) This 1.5% proposal lowers the base to the first $17,600 and sets a new maximum at $22/month. WSSRA is concerned that setting this lower base will be bad for future COLA’s. (Besides, $22 a month? Are you kidding? These retirees do not get regular COLA’s like the other 14 retirement plans and have lost substantial purchasing power over the years. Even WSSRA’s proposed change to $31.25 at half the previous COLA amounts, although better than nothing, is next to nothing for a Plan 1 retiree.)

SB 5021 | Concerning the effect of expenditure reduction efforts on retirement benefits for public employees, including those participating in the shared work program. (Signed by both houses and sent to Governor.)

SB 5367 | Directing the department of retirement systems to create rules regarding automatic refunds of retirement contributions in the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030. (This bill has been moved for placement on the House Calendar.)

SB 5453 | Concerning plans 1 and 2 of the state retirement systems by combining LEROFF 1 and TRS Plan 1 assets to retire the unfunded liability of TRS 1. As a reminder, employers are currently paying a surcharge for their retirement contributions to help retire the debt of both plans: TRS 1 liability is $2.8 B; PERS 1: $4B. (This bill was introduced, and no hearings were held. It is likely dead but see below for comments.)

Comments: The Senate budget chose to deal with the unfunded liability by budgeting $800M to be spent on June 30, 2023. The House budget did not address this issue. Rep. Stokesbary, however, offered an amendment to allocate $1.6B for retiring the liability. It did not pass. As chair Ormsby remarked, “We live in volatile times and need to be prudent.”

Decreasing the unfunded liability will lower the surcharge and fully fund the Plans earlier. This would save school districts and other employers money.

WSSRA (WA State School Retirees’ Assn.) is continuing to work on this issue to ensure the Senate proposal ends up in the final budget.

Comment: It is important to keep in mind that the Senate proposal is one of intent, not the actual expenditure. The commitment to spend those dollars as proposed will occur, if at all, in 2023. This idea is a ‘win-win’ idea since it is a fiscally responsible thing to do using GF dollars that are to be replaced with one-time federal dollars. And it could be viewed as being in reserve, a placeholder, in case of unforeseen demands yet to arise.

School Employee Benefit Board (SEEB)

SB 5322 | Prohibiting dual enrollment between school employees’ benefits board and public employees’ benefits board programs. (Signed by both houses and sent to the Governor.)

Other Bills

There are a number of bills proposed that deal with expanding various employee benefits and qualifications. They address such areas as unemployment compensation, family and medical leave, and workmen’s compensation. They are worth monitoring because they may add personnel costs to school district operations.

As an aside, both budgets proposed using federal dollars to replenish the Unemployment Insurance fund ($500 M in Senate; $600 M in House). This would help mitigate the potential increase in future rates for employers.

Two bills (E2 SHB 1073 and ESSB 5097 ) in the 2021 virtual legislative session are proposing changes.

E2SHB 1073 expands coverage of the paid family and medical leave program. (This bill is scheduled for Executive Session on 4/2 before Senate Ways and Means.)

ESSSB 5097 expands coverage of the paid family and medical leave program. (Executive action was taken on 3/31 by House Appropriations.)

2SHB 1076 | Allowing whistleblowers to bring actions on behalf of the state for violations of workplace protections. (This bill is scheduled for Executive Session 4/2 before Senate Ways and Means.)

ESHB 1214 | Creates the category of safety and security staff for kindergarten through grade 12 public schools. (This bill has been moved for placement on the Senate Calendar.)

SHB 1323 | Concerning the long-term services and supports trust program. Among other provisions, it specifies that employees who apply to opt-out of the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (LTSS Trust Program) must attest to having long-term care insurance prior to the effective date of this act. (The bill has been moved for placement on the Senate Calendar.)

SHB 1363 | Addressing secondary trauma in the K–12 workforce. (This bill has been moved for placement on the Senate Calendar.)

ESSB 5061 | Concerning unemployment insurance. Limits unemployment insurance rate increases by:

1. capping the social tax;
2. suspending the solvency surcharge tax; and
3. relieving certain benefit charges.

Increases access to benefits by:

1. expanding eligibility for those in high-risk households; and
2. waiving the waiting period when federally reimbursed.

Modifies weekly benefit amount thresholds by:

1. increasing the minimum from 15 to 20 percent of the average weekly wage; and
2. limiting benefits to a person’s weekly wage.

The bill also ends deductions of lump-sum pensions from weekly benefit amounts. It modifies the voluntary contribution and shared work programs, and certain training eligibility. (Governor signed.)

ESSB 5115 | Establishing health emergency labor standards. Creates an occupational disease presumption for frontline employees during a public health emergency for the purposes of workers’ compensation. (House Rules Committee.)

SSB 5425 | Concerning extended benefits in the unemployment insurance system. (House Rules’ Committee.)

SSB 5254 | Concerning the use of protective devices and equipment during a public health emergency. (This bill has been scheduled for Executive Session in House Appropriations 4/1.)

Fred Yancey
The Nexus Group LLC

On March 18, 2021, the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Cispus Learning Center came together in the mountains of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to partner and build for the future. We believe knowledge is power and when you build emotion into a hands-on experience, it will stay with you forever. We hope to pass down the message that we are more than people, but also caretakers of the land.

On their visit, Nisqually Indian Tribe members team ventured to Kraus Ridge Road and found a cedar tree that had fallen down. A request sent by the Nisqually tribe to the US Forest Service started the process to allow the Cispus Learning Center to collect the tree for use at Cispus. The tree will become part of youth programming. It will be used to create custom works of art to learn customs, celebrate tradition and heritage, and build friendships. 

We are excited about the partnership with the Nisqually and hope Cispus becomes a place of healing for tribes and allows us to open our minds to programs reflecting the heritage and enriching the culture for future generations. We want to instill confidence, identity, and a feeling of home in nature for everyone whose journey takes them to Cispus. 

Spring Time

I love the later sunsets, the blooming flowers (even though it brings out my husband's allergies), the birds in the morning, smell of fresh bark, and evenings on my deck. All of those signs of the changing season make me smile. However, April brings with it a new level of exhaustion for educators. Sprinkle in the constant changes due to the pandemic this year and well its a constant game of real life "FLOOR IS LAVA". I know you are fatigued and I want to recognize the FACT you are awesome. This is the month you need to not feel guilty about shutting down your phone for an evening or weekend. Go for a walk, turn the music up a bit louder on your drive to and from work, get a massage, or treat yourself to some me time. April is when we are starting to see the finish line for this school year so fill YOUR bucket because you can't take care of others if you don't have anything to give from. I hope you find this edition of my newsletter with very simple ideas to help bring laughter and joy to your work. Feel free to reach out to me if I can do anything to support your work or be a sounding board for ideas. You got this.

April's Day To Celebrate

April 1 -  as noted above Major League Baseball Opening Day. Take the opportunity and turn a table in your staff room or treat cart into a baseball concession stand.

 

April 2 -  (caution on this one) National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day-Purchase Smucker UnCrustables (they are individual wrapped) add a sticker that says "We All Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Jelly." Or for a non-peanut food treat have student choral responses be Jelly. Principal says peanut butter and students respond back with Jelly as an attention getter.

April 5 - National Deep Dish Pizza Day. Check with your local pizza restaurants and see if they would be willing to donate a few pizzas to honor your staff. Either treat staff to a pizza lunch or utilize them as prizes for a drawing for dinner. 

April 7 -  National Walking Day. This would be a great week to do a walking step challenge with your staff. Exercise is so very important in maintaining our mental health that you could easily play off this day. OR encourage staff and students to go for a walk today. Have staff take selfies and upload to your school social media account to celebrate. 

April 9 - National Name Yourself Day. Put up pictures of staff in the hallway with a new name for each one based on the super hero they admire, a favorite celebrity, a super power they wish they had, or a trait they believe is critical to a persons success.

April12 - National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. Ask your PTO or school booster group to make grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch today. 

April 13 - National Make Lunch Count Day. Provide staff a list of relaxing activities they could do at lunchtime either individually or with their class.

April 13 - is also National Scrabble Day. Set out a few Scrabble boards in the staff room for staff to use or write out your school name and mascot such as "Kelso Virtual Academy Chargers" on a piece of paper and hand it out to your staff. Give staff a set amount of time to create as many words from the phrase. 

April 14 - National Gardening Day. This could be an awesome theme for your Teacher Appreciation Week also. As an idea--"We grow great learners at Loowit High School (fill in your school)." Provide a basket of seeds for your staff with a note of thanks for helping grow students or a tiny (cheap) fuscia start with plant stake.

April 15 - National High Five Day. Greet everyone with a virtual high five today and add some dance moves to your celebration. Purchase little hand clappers from oriental trade, dollar tree, or a party store for staff with a note to say here is a high five of appreciation. 

April 15 - is Also National Laundry Day. Purchase Shout Wipes with a sticker or note that says I want to shout out to the world how thankful I am for you. (Shout Wipes are a must have in the Cromwell Household) 

April 16 - National Librarian Day. A personal note of thanks would go a long way today.

April 16 - is also National Wear Pajamas to Work Day. (Easy one here folks but I would encourage you to remind staff about appropriateness just because.....Note: I am commenting for a principal friend)

April 19 - National Garlic Day. Give everyone a bulb of garlic and a pack of tic tacs with a note "I will always have you covered." Or create a poster in the staff room where staff could share favorite things to use garlic in and for.

April 21 - Administrative Professional Day (see above)

April 21 - National Tea Day. A tea buffet to greet everyone in the morning with some breakfast pastries. Add a few signs that say "We are brewing up a successful year. Thank you".

April 22 - Earth Day. You got this one. But it is also National Jelly Bean Day and I love Jelly Bellies. Have a game of Beanboozled available for staff or a beautiful colorful jar of jelly beans available today. Note: there are also small packs of Jelly Bellies available.

April 23 - National Picnic Day. (See notes above)

April 26 - National Pretzel Day. Pretzels in the staff room or handed out in your treat cart with a note "Everywhere I turn I see great things happening in your classroom/school."

April 28 - National Superhero Day. Turn lanyards into superhero badges with superhero names, emblems, or a special power they have OR pass out capes (purchased online) to all of the Superheroes you work with.

April 29 - International Dance Day. Play dance music every chance you get today to lighten up the mood and get people moving--guaranteed to put smiles on everyone's face.

April 30 - National Raisin Day. Create a buffet of different types of raisin products (plain, chocolate covered, yogurt covered, oatmeal raisin cookies, etc) Add signs that say "We are 'raisin' up great leaders at (your school)."

Not too long ago, this School Safety blog for April was well underway. It was going to focus on two bills currently moving thru the legislature: ESHB 1214, which revises requirements around SROs and other school safety personnel, and SHB 1484 concerning the school mapping requirements.

However, other issues arose and, although quite different, seemed to roll together. The issues which I am referring to are the reopening of schools, youth behavioral and mental health issues, and the reappearance of mass shootings. The links here will take you to excellent resources and various pages of the OSPI website. 

It was in reading various other articles that the change of focus for this month clarified itself.  

In a recent Los Angeles Times article on reopening schools, Pasadena USD Superintendent Brian McDonald is quoted as saying, “This [reopening] weighs heavily on us…. Given the safety measures that we have in place,…we believe it’s time now to return our students to in-person learning.” PPEs, social distancing, air quality, hand washing, and now staff vaccinations are all among the considerations in such decisions.

With regard to the mental health of students, several articles have referred to the impact of pandemic-related  social isolation on mental and emotional well-being. Most make note of the fact that the impacts will need further, in depth, study. However, what is known is that the number of mental health-related emergency calls have increased nationally.

The third issue of mass shootings pulled everything else together. Danny Westneat’s recent Seattle Times article on “America’s other deadly contagion” sadly reminded us that, as COVID seems to be on the edge of being brought under control, mass shootings seem to be on the rise – again.  And as we know, schools are very often seen as so called ‘soft targets.’

I envisioned these three issues as a school safety-related Venn diagram:

It was a busy, busy week in the Legislature with committees having to pass policy bills out by today, Friday, March 26. Several bills were changed significantly by the opposite house, particularly SB 5044 – related to professional learning on topics of equity and cultural competency – and SB 5265, which creates a bridge year program for an additional year of high school. In addition to work on policy bills, both the Senate and the House released their operating, supplemental, capital, and transportation budgets. Next week will be busy as fiscal committees have to meet the deadline of Friday, April 2 to pass bills out of these committees.

Budget

The House is expected to release its operating budget (PSHB 1094) at 3:00 pm today (here's a quick summary from LEAP). The Senate operating budget was released yesterday. This is a high-level summary of PSSB 5092 (Proposed Substitute Senate Bill), with key budget items included by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

We appreciate the attention paid to providing stable funding for transportation and enrollment, as well as support for key programs that support principals and students. Funding is provided for principal internships, mentorships, continued professional learning through the inclusionary practices project, and the Washington State Leadership Academy. Our students will be supported with funds for more elementary school counselors and funds to support the Cispus Learning Center, the Association of Washington Student Leaders, and outdoor education. Our state’s improved revenue forecast along with an influx of federal dollars help make this support possible.

Here are additional details:

FEDERAL ESSER GRANTS | $1.74 BILLION (2021–23) | $1.67 billion of federal funding allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and $74.2 million of federal funding allocated by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act is provided to assist school districts with response to the COVID–19 pandemic.

TRANSPORTATION STABILIZATION | $299 MILLION (2021 SUPPLEMENTAL), $58.9 MILLION (2021–23) |One-time funding is provided for one-time pupil transportation payments to school districts to address lower pupil transportation payments for the 2020–21 school year.

SCHOOL FUNDING STABILIZATION | $190.7 MILLION (2021–23) |One-time funding is provided to ensure school districts receive at least $1,500 per pupil for COVID–19 relief funding when combined with federal relief dollars.

ACCELERATED LEARNING | $217.8 MILLION (2021–23) |One-time funding is provided for learning recovery and acceleration to address student learning loss.

COUNSELORS FOR HIGH POVERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS | $32.8 MILLION (2021–23), $86.3 MILLION (2023–25) |Funding is provided to allocate an additional 0.5 FTE counselor per prototypical school for all high-poverty elementary schools. This additional funding increases counselor staffing per prototypical school for high poverty elementary schools above the amounts specified in RCW 28A.150.260.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | $12 MILLION (2021–23) |Funding is provided for professional development to promote the inclusion of students requiring special education within the general education classroom.

PARAEDUCATOR TRAINING | $14.8 MILLION (2021–23), $32.1 MILLION (2023–25) |Funding is provided for two days of training in the Paraeducator Certificate Program in fiscal year 2023 and two days each year thereafter. Funding is also provided to develop a course to provide online training to paraeducators on effective community, family, and student engagement.

SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSITION SERVICES | $24 MILLION (2021–23) |Federal funding is provided for extension of transition services for students with disabilities who turned age 21 during the 2019–20 or 2020–21 school years and did not graduate with a regular diploma. 6

COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER | $18.5 MILLION (2021–23) |Federal funding is provided for the community learning center program for the purpose of supporting afterschool programs.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION | $18 MILLION (2021–23) |Federal funding is provided for outdoor education summer enrichment programs for youth.

SUMMER REENGAGEMENT | $17.7 MILLION (2021–23) |Federal funding is provided for the establishment of a summer reengagement grant program for the purpose of assisting school districts in facilitating a week-long program in schools for students to reengage in learning, physical activity, and social interaction. 

These bills still remain alive for this session:

House bills in the Senate:

HB 1028 | Repealing the EdTPA
HB 1085 | Students with seizure disorders
HB 1113 | Concerning school attendance
HB 1121 | Emergency graduation waiver
HB 1139 | Taking action to address lead in drinking water
HB 1162 | Concerning high school graduation credit (20 credits) and pathway options (performance exhibition)
HB 1176 | Access to higher education (fines and fees)
HB 1208 | Modifying the learning assistance program
HB 1213 | Expanding accessible, affordable child care and early learning
HB 1214 | Providing K–12 public school safety and security services by classified staff
HB 1225 | School-based health care centers
HB 1273 | Concerning menstrual products in schools
HB 1295 | Concerning institutional education
HB 1302 | Concerning college in the high school programs
HB 1325 | Implementing policies related to children and youth behavioral health
HB 1342 | Eliminating lunch copays for students who qualify for reduced-price lunches
HB 1356 | Prohibiting the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols, or images as public school mascots, logos, or team names
HB 1365 | Procuring and supporting appropriate computers and devices for public school students and staff
HB 1373 | Promoting student access to information about behavioral health resources
HB 1426 | Continuing education requirements for administrators and teachers
HB 1476 | Addressing enrollment declines
HB 1484 | Concerning the statewide first responder building mapping information system

Senate bills in the House:

SB 5030 | Comprehensive school counseling programs
SB 5043 | Providing housing to school district employees
SB 5044 | Professional learning related to equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism in schools
SB 5128 | Concerning student transportation funding
SB 5184 | Establishing a point of contact in all K–12 schools for students in foster care
SB 5202 | Establishing school district depreciation subfunds for the purposes of preventative maintenance
SB 5237 | Expanding accessible, affordable child care and early childhood development programs
SB 5242 | Supporting media literacy and digital citizenship
SB 5249 | Mastery based learning
SB 5265 | Creating a bridge year pilot program
SB 5299 | Allowing computer science courses as a third year of either a math or science graduation requirement
SB 5322 | Prohibiting dual enrollment between SEBB and PEBB
SB 5327 | Creating a confidential youth safety and well-being tip line
SB 5376 | Promoting awareness of the governor’s office of the education ombuds 

More Links

• How to Sign-in for Remote Testimony (register a position, written, or live testimony)
• Fred Yancey’s Retirement & Health Benefits Update
• Dan Steele’s (WASA) This Week in Olympia (TWIO)
• TVW
• Legislative Website
• AWSP Advocacy and Action Center

This content is emailed weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each newsletter contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up to date. Please consult your district attorney if you are looking for legal advice.  

Committees continued meeting primarily to move bills out of their respective committees while concurrently, the majority party in each house released their budget proposals as the week ended. The policy cut-off for bills was Friday, March 26th; the fiscal one will be the following Friday, April 2nd. Bills are stacking up for scheduling on floor calendars. Further activities will begin to focus on floor action, negotiations and compromises aiming toward an attempt to end on time on April 25th.

Retirement Related Proposals

SB 5021 | Concerning the effect of expenditure reduction efforts on retirement benefits for public employees, including those participating in the shared work program. (Passed the House 65–32.)

SB 5352 | Allowing new government employees the option of opting out of retirement system membership if the employee is age sixty or older when first hired or when the employee’s employer opts into retirement plan participation. (A public hearing was held on 3/18 before House Appropriations and no further action has been scheduled. This bill is likely to die.)

SB 5367 | Directing the department of retirement systems to create rules regarding automatic refunds of retirement contributions in the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030. (This bill has been moved for placement on the House Calendar.)

SB 5453 | Concerning plans 1 and 2 of the state retirement systems by combining LEROFF 1 and TRS Plan 1 assets to retire the unfunded liability of TRS 1. (This bill was introduced, and no hearings were held. It is likely dead but see below for comments.)

Comments: Fiscal leaders in both houses are aware of the unfunded liability of TRS and PERS 1 plans. Employers are currently paying a surcharge for their retirement contributions to help retire the debt of both plans. (TRS 1 liability is $2.8 B; PERS 1 $4 B) The question has been how to further address it. SB 5453 above, is one example of an attempt.

WSSRA (WA State School Retirees’ Assn.) has advocated spending General Fund (GF) dollars to pay down the liability. Any lowering of the liability will lower the surcharge that school districts (employers) are paying to address the problem. These GF dollars can be replaced with the one-time Federal infusion of cash. And surprise! The Senate budget released on Thursday, 3/25, budgeted $800 M toward lowering the TRS 1 unfunded liability. The House budget to be released late Friday afternoon is not expected to have dealt with this issue. It will be one of many budget differences to be negotiated between the two houses.

Opinion: This is great use of extra dollars to meet an obligation/debt without starting anything new. It is akin to using an inheritance to pay off one’s house.

School Employee Benefit Board (SEEB)

SB 5322 | Prohibiting dual enrollment between school employees’ benefits board and public employees’ benefits board programs. (This bill passed the House 98–0 and will be forwarded to the Governor.)

Other Bills:

There are a number of bills proposed that deal with expanding various employee benefits and qualifications. They address such areas as unemployment compensation, family and medical leave, and workmen’s compensation. They are worth monitoring because they may add personnel costs to school district operations. Caveat: A few bills, (see below) clearly have had problems clearing committees through scheduled Executive Sessions. They may well die.

Two bills (E2SHB 1073 and ESSB 5097) in the 2021 virtual legislative session are proposing changes.

E2SHB 1073 | Expands coverage of the paid family and medical leave program. (This bill is scheduled for a public hearing 3/30 before Senate Ways and Means.)

ESSSB 5097 | Expands coverage of the paid family and medical leave program. (This bill was moved to House Appropriations for a public hearing on 3/30.)

2SHB 1076 | Allowing whistleblowers to bring actions on behalf of the state for violations of workplace protections. (This bill is scheduled for a public hearing 3/30 before Senate Ways and Means.)

ESHB 1214 | Creates the category of safety and security staff for kindergarten through grade 12 public schools. (This bill has been moved for placement on the Senate Calendar.)

SHB 1323 | Concerning the long-term services and supports trust program. Among other provisions, it specifies that employees who apply to opt-out of the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (LTSS Trust Program) must attest to having long-term care insurance prior to the effective date of this act. (Scheduled for Executive Action on 3/26 in Senate Health)

SHB 1363 | Addressing secondary trauma in the K–12 workforce. (This bill has been moved for placement on the Senate Calendar.)

SHB 1492 | Concerning extended benefits in the unemployment insurance system. (Assigned to Senate Labor on 2/26. Not yet scheduled and likely dead.)

ESSB 5115 | Establishing health emergency labor standards. Creates an occupational disease presumption for frontline employees during a public health emergency for the purposes of workers’ compensation, etc. (Executive action was taken on 3/24 before House Labor Committee.)

SSB 5425 | Concerning extended benefits in the unemployment insurance system. (Executive action was taken on 3/24 before the House Labor Committee.)

SSB 5254 | Concerning the use of protective devices and equipment during a public health emergency. (This bill has been scheduled for a public hearing in House Appropriations on 3/30.)

Fred Yancey
The Nexus Group LLC

We reached the one-year anniversary of school closures to in-person learning this past week, and work continues to get all school buildings open once again. The ever-changing requirements and guidance for our schools keeps coming, among them being Governor Inslee’s announcement last Friday that requires all school districts to provide all K–12 students with the opportunity to receive at least two days per week of in-person learning no later than April 19. OSPI published a Q&A document that you may find helpful.

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CDC Recommendations

Today, the CDC announced that it "now recommends that, with universal masking, students should maintain a distance of at least three feet in classroom settings.” We would hope that our state’s Department of Health will soon provide this same recommendation for our schools, specifically for school next fall. We know you are all working hard right now to make staffing and scheduling plans for the 2021–22 school year.

In my regular Friday meeting with the Department of Health and the Governor’s Office, they said they had just received this new information from the CDC and would take time to read it and consider feedback. They are working on updated guidance for graduation and moving up ceremonies to fall in line with indoor and outdoor events as a part of the Roadmap to Recovery plans as our state moves to Phase 3. Right now, Phase 3 guidance for sporting events for indoor facilities is for up to 400 people, not to exceed 50% capacity for the location, and physical distancing and masking protocols are enforced. Larger venue events are capped at 25% occupancy, or up to 9,000 people, whichever is less, and must follow spectator guidelines. Expect more information on graduation ceremonies next week.

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Budget News

Our Legislature received good news this week when the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council projected an additional $1.3 billion for this current, two-year budget cycle. An additional $1.9 billion increase is forecast for the 2021–23 budget cycle. Budget writers are working hard to determine how state revenues will intersect with the federal funds that will be coming to our state through the American Rescue Plan. K–12 schools in Washington will receive a combined total of $2.6 billion from three rounds of federal funds.

The Senate and the House are expected to release their budgets next week and we hope to see our state legislators at least hold district funding steady for the 2021–22 school year despite changes in enrollment and transportation ridership this past year. It is important in these next few weeks you keep telling your stories about the need for consistent staffing levels, as well as what additional supports your students and staff may have. Contact your legislators from our Advocacy & Action Center to share your story. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Compose your own Message”. Thank you!

Principal Voice

A big thank you to an incredible group of principals who took part in a lunchtime webinar hosted by the League of Education Voters, titled “Principals from across Washington state on education in the time of COVID.” These leaders spoke passionately and eloquently about the challenges and successes of dealing with the pandemic over the past year and how we should move forward to reform our education system. They also have very specific ideas for how our state and districts can support the work of building principals. Grab your headphones or earbuds, head out for a walk, and listen in to the webinar.

It was a busy week for hearings and we send more thanks to Patrick Vincent, principal at Union Gap School, who testified in support of HB 1113 regarding attendance policies. Thank you also to Michael Harrington, principal at Finley Middle School, who testified in support of HB 1214, which adds training requirements for classified school staff. Additional thanks to AWSP’s Kurt Hatch who testified in support of HB 1426, which would add requirements to the certification renewal process for teachers and administrators with regards to equity, leadership, and government-to-government relationships with tribes.

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Other bills considered this week include:

House bills heard in the Senate:

• HB 1139 | Taking action to address lead in drinking water
• HB 1273 | Concerning menstrual products in schools
• HB 1365 | Procuring and supporting appropriate computers and devices for public school students and staff
• HB 1484 | Concerning the statewide first responder building mapping information system
• HB 1113 | Concerning school attendance
• HB 1162 | Concerning high school graduation credit (20 credits) and pathway options (performance exhibition)
• HB 1176 | Access to higher education (fines and fees)
• HB 1214 | Providing K–12 public school safety and security services by classified staff
• HB 1426 | Continuing education requirements for administrators and teachers

Senate bills heard in the House:

• SB 5043 | Providing housing to school district employees
• SB 5128 | Concerning student transportation funding
• SB 5242 | Supporting media literacy and digital citizenship
• SB 5265 | Creating a bridge year pilot program

A few more bills will be heard next week. Friday, March 26th is the last day to pass bills out of policy committees from the opposite house. The following Friday is fiscal committee cut-off.

We also stay in touch with our partners in the “other” Washington. We look forward to April 20th when NASSP holds their virtual Advocacy Conference. Find more information and register for free.

Stay tuned for more advocacy news and thank you for all that you do for students and staff.

More Links

• How to Sign-in for Remote Testimony (register a position, written, or live testimony)
• Fred Yancey’s Retirement & Health Benefits Update
• Dan Steele’s (WASA) This Week in Olympia (TWIO)
• TVW
• Legislative Website
• AWSP Advocacy and Action Center

This content is emailed weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each newsletter contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up to date. Please consult your district attorney if you are looking for legal advice.  

“And the beat goes on…” ~ Sonny Bono

Public hearing and Executive Sessions continued this week as legislators dealt with various bills received from the opposite chamber. In fact, it appears that committees have sped up bills passing from Executive Sessions. This pattern will continue until the deadlines come and go for bills to have cleared policy (March 26th) and fiscal (April 2nd) committees.

Retirement Related Proposals

SB 5021 | Concerning the effect of expenditure reduction efforts on retirement benefits for public employees, including those participating in the shared work program. This bill provides that specified public pension and retirement calculations will not be reduced as a result of state mandated furloughs. (Executive action was taken by the House Appropriations Committee on 3/15.)

ESSB 5115 | Establishing health emergency labor standards. (Executive action is scheduled before the House Labor Committee on 3/17.)

SB 5352 | Allowing new government employees the option of opting out of retirement system membership if the employee is age sixty or older when first hired or when the employee’s employer opts into retirement plan participation. (A public hearing was held on 3/18 before House Appropriations.)

SB 5367 | Directing the department of retirement systems to create rules regarding automatic refunds of retirement contributions in the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030. (Executive action was taken by House Appropriations on 3/15.)

SB 5453 | Concerning plans 1 and 2 of the state retirement systems by combining LEROFF 1 and TRS Plan 1 assets to retire the unfunded liability of TRS 1. This bill was introduced by Senator Schoesler and has the full support of Senator Braun, two leaders of the Republican side. Although this bill has not even had a hearing, it is likely deemed to be NTIB.

Because of the sentiment of leading legislators regarding the unfunded liability issue, WSSRA (WA State School Retirees’ Assn.) is advocating that because of the soon to be influx of federal dollars, legislators should consider meeting two needs; (a) Use some budget stabilization dollars (BSA) to decrease the unfunded liability of Plans 1, in lieu of SB 5453 proposal, and (b) fund a COLA for Plans 1 members. ($35 M biennial cost).

School Employee Benefit Board (SEEB)

SB 5322 | Prohibiting dual enrollment between school employees’ benefits board and public employees’ benefits board programs. (Executive action was scheduled on 3/15 before House Appropriations.)

Other Bills

There are a number of bills proposed that deal with expanding various employee benefits and qualifications. They address such areas as unemployment compensation, family and medical leave, and workmen’s compensation. These proposals may or may not apply to school districts and represent potential added costs to a district’s operations.

Two bills (E2SHB 1073 and ESSB 5097 ) in the 2021 virtual legislative session are proposing changes.

E2SHB 1073 expands coverage of the paid family and medical leave program. (Executive action was taken on 3/17 before the Senate Labor Committee)

ESSSB 5097 expands coverage of the paid family and medical leave program. (Executive action was taken on 3/19 before House Labor Committee.)

(NEW ) 2SHB 1076 | Allowing whistleblowers to bring actions on behalf of the state for violations of workplace protections.

Aggrieved persons, whistleblowers, or their designated representative: An entity, known as a relator, may bring a qui tam action as a relator for any relief the specified state agency may seek, including penalties and damages, subject to the same conditions and limitations that apply to the agency for the following laws and associated rules:

• the Minimum Wage Act, the Wage Payment Act, and wage rebate and prevailing wage laws;
• WISHA;
• health care facility employee overtime laws;
• WLAD;
• the Gender Equal Pay and Advancement Opportunities Act;
• farm labor contractor laws;
• IWA; and
• the retaliation provisions in the bill.

The bill report summarizing public testimony is worth reading. Industry representatives were opposed to this bill as it could lead to an increase in suits against business (school districts?). It passed the Senate 53–44.) (Scheduled for Executive action 3/18 before the Senate Labor committee.)

ESHB 1214 | Creates the category of safety and security staff for kindergarten through grade 12 public schools. Provides requirements for safety and security staff agreements, data collection, and training, for educational service districts, school districts, and charter schools. (Public hearing on 3/19 before the Senate Early Learning/K–12 Committee.)

SHB 1363 | Addressing secondary trauma in the K–12 workforce. It is in Rules Committee awaiting scheduling for floor action. (Executive action scheduled 3/17 before Senate Early Learning/K–12 Committee.)

SHB 1492 | Concerning extended benefits in the unemployment insurance system. (Assigned to House Labor. Not yet scheduled.)

ESSB 5115 | Establishing health emergency labor standards. Creates an occupational disease presumption for frontline employees during a public health emergency for the purposes of workers’ compensation. (Executive action is scheduled on 3/17 before House Labor Committee.)

SSB 5425 | Concerning extended benefits in the unemployment insurance system. (Scheduled for Executive action 3/19 before the House Labor Committee.)

SSB 5254 | Concerning the use of protective devices and equipment during a public health emergency. (Scheduled for Executive action 3/19 before the House Labor Committee.)

Fred Yancey
The Nexus Group LLC

After this Tuesday’s bill cutoff, the surviving bills switched houses and the committee hearing process started up again. This week and next week’s schedule of bill hearings are listed below.

Work on the supplemental, operating, and capital budgets continues. The state’s budget outlook seems to look better each month and a third round of federal funding is on its way. But our work for stable education funding is far from over. The next major revenue forecast will be released at the March 17th meeting of the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and the Senate and the House will release their budgets shortly thereafter. Our job is to keep telling our stories about what financial support we need from the state to educate each and every student safely.

Action in the “other” Washington this week will have a major impact on how our legislators, budget writers, and Governor address these budgets. The American Rescue Plan provides $1.9 trillion in relief to schools, businesses, governments and people. Our state will receive $1.9 billion for K–12 schools.

Superintendent Chris Reykdal said, “about 88% of the $1.9 billion for K–12 education will go directly to local school districts and they should treat this as ‘one time money’ for costs such as upgrades to ventilation systems, personal protective equipment and additional counseling and interventions for children facing severe learning loss or other issues.” Reykdal, like many others, is hopeful that these funds help return more students to in-person learning and cause people to think creatively about how our education system might change in positive ways in response to this crisis. For example, Reykdal has suggested he would like his office to be able to provide grants for districts to think about changing school calendars.

At its March 11 meeting, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted emergency rules that allow school districts to waive certain graduation requirements for individual students due to the impacts of the COVID–19 pandemic. These emergency rules apply immediately to the graduating Class of 2021.

The SBE released this additional information:

“Districts must work with students individually, give guidance on options to the student, consult with the family if possible, and then decide jointly with the student whether a waiver is right for that student. Use of the waiver must be documented in the student’s records, including how the student demonstrated preparation for plans after high school. The emergency rules require school districts to collect and review data on the use of waivers and take appropriate steps to address any inequities. This data will be reported to OSPI and the SBE. School districts may apply online to the SBE for the Emergency Waiver Program beginning in late March. The State Board expects to propose permanent rules for the Classes of 2022 and 2023 at its May 12–13 meeting and, after receiving feedback from the public, adopt permanent rules at its July 14–15 meeting.”

Outdoor School for All

Outdoor School for All is gaining some great momentum! This is a statewide effort to get all 5th or 6th grade students to outdoor camp for a week. Senator Sam Hunt sponsored a $10 million budget request that would help start on this goal by getting 20,000 students to outdoor camp. The Washington Outdoor School Consortium (WOSC) is sponsored by our Washington School Principals Education Foundation (WSPEF) and our staff is working with a fantastic group of outdoor education advocates all across the state to make this happen. Learn more at the Outdoor School for All website.

Bills Heard This Week:

House bills heard in the Senate:

• HB 1028 | Repealing the EdTPA
• HB 1295 | Concerning institutional education
• HB 1302 | Concerning college in the high school programs
• HB 1342 | Eliminating lunch copays for students who qualify for reduced-price lunches
• HB 1208 | Modifying the learning assistance program
• HB 1356 | Prohibiting the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols or images as public school mascots, logos, or team names
• HB 1325 | Implementing policies related to children and youth behavioral health

Senate bills heard in the House:

• SB 5030 | Comprehensive school counseling programs
• SB 5044 | Professional learning related to equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism in schools
• SB 5184 | Establishing a point of contact in all K–12 schools for students in foster care
• SB 5181 | Providing school districts serving low-income communities with flexibility in financing their facilities
• SB 5202 | Establishing school district depreciation subfunds for the purposes of preventative maintenance
• SB 5376 | Promoting awareness of the governor’s office of the education ombuds
• SB 5249 | Mastery based learning
• SB 5299 | Allowing computer science courses as a third year of either a math or science graduation requirement
• SB 5237 | Expanding accessible, affordable child care and early childhood development programs

Bills being heard next week:

House bills heard in the Senate:

• HB 1139 | Taking action to address lead in drinking water
• HB 1273 | Concerning menstrual products in schools
• HB 1365 | Procuring and supporting appropriate computers and devices for public school students and staff
• HB 1484 | Concerning the statewide first responder building mapping information system
• HB 1113 | Concerning school attendance
• HB 1162 | Concerning high school graduation credit (20 credits) and pathway options (performance exhibition)
• HB 1176 | Access to higher education (fines and fees)
• HB 1214 | Providing K–12 public school safety and security services by classified staff
• HB 1426 | Continuing education requirements for administrators and teachers

Senate bills heard in the House:

• SB 5043 | Providing housing to school district employees
• SB 5128 | Concerning student transportation funding
• SB 5242 | Supporting media literacy and digital citizenship
• SB 5265 | Creating a bridge year pilot program

More Links

• How to Sign-in for Remote Testimony (register a position, written, or live testimony)
• Fred Yancey’s Retirement & Health Benefits Update
• Dan Steele’s (WASA) This Week in Olympia Report
• TVW
• Legislative Website
• AWSP Advocacy and Action Center

This content is emailed weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each newsletter contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up to date. Please consult your district attorney if you are looking for legal advice.  

Invasive what? At first, it seems like just a cool new pet or fun hobby accessory to add to the house. But sometimes exotic pets or pet accessories that are native to other countries can be destructive here in Washington state.

For instance, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a notice this week about invasive zebra mussels from Europe that are not native to Washington but are hitching a ride on "Betta Buddy" brand moss balls that people frequently use in aquariums. The moss balls and accompanying zebra mussels become a problem when aquarium owners dump out their tank water and the zebra mussels go down the drain with it and into our environment. 

If it has a chance to reach open water, the zebra mussel can spread and overwhelm entire ecosystems, decimating other species and completely changing the way Washington works and plays.

Stay up on what you are collecting, take the time to educate yourself on purchases, and protect the place you are from. Read more about invasive zebra mussels. 

“Deja Vu All Over Again” ~ Yogi Berra

This second half of session is just a repeat of the first half except each house is hearing the bills that passed the opposing chamber. And the process starts with committee hearings and as Milton Berle once said, “a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours.”

Meanwhile, here is a summary of what is still in obvious play.

Retirement Related Proposals

SB 5021 | Concerning the effect of expenditure reduction efforts on retirement benefits for public employees, including those participating in the shared work program. This bill provides that specified public pension and retirement calculations will not be reduced as a result of state-mandated furloughs.

(Passed the Senate 29-20. A scheduled hearing before the House Appropriations Committee on 3-11.)

ESSB 5115 | Establishing health emergency labor standards. The bill creates an occupational disease presumption for frontline employees during a public health emergency for the purposes of workers’ compensation; requires employers to notify L&I when a certain percentage of their workforce becomes infected during a public health emergency; requires employers to provide written notice to employees on the premises and their union of potential exposure to the infectious or contagious disease during a public health emergency; prohibits discrimination against an employee who is high risk for seeking accommodation that protects them from the disease or using all available leave options if no accommodation is reasonable.

(Passed the Senate 48-1. Assigned to House Labor Committee. Hearing scheduled 3/12.)

SB 5352 | Allowing new government employees the option of opting out of retirement system membership if the employee is age sixty or older when first hired or when the employee’s employer opts into retirement plan participation.

(Senate Floor Calendar).

SB 5367 | Directing the department of retirement systems to create rules regarding automatic refunds of retirement contributions in the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030. (Passed Senate 47-0-2. Scheduled hearing 3/11 before House Appropriations).

SB 5453 | Concerning plans 1 and 2 of the state retirement systems by combining LEROFF 1 and TRS Plan 1 assets. This bill by Senator Schoesler was introduced on Feb. 12th and assigned to Ways and Means. Although no hearing to date has been set, this bill is NTIB.

(No movement, but could be deemed NTIB) WSSRA (State School Retirees’ Assn.) is advocating that because of the soon to be influx of federal dollars, legislators should consider two needs; (a) Use some budget stabilization dollars (BSA) to decrease the unfunded liability of Plans 1, and (b) fund a COLA for Plans 1 members. ($35M biennial cost).

(No movement)

School Employee Benefit Board (SEEB)

SB 5322 | Prohibiting dual enrollment between school employees’ benefits board and public employees’ benefits board programs.

(Passed the Senate 48/0/1 and scheduled hearing on 3/11 before House Appropriations Committee).

SSB 5326 | Concerning health and pension benefits for school bus drivers employed by private nongovernmental entities.

This bill did not survive cut-off and is considered ‘dead’. It will however remain in the Senate Rules Committee when the next session reconvenes. This issue is not dead.

Other Bills:

There are a number of bills proposed that deal with expanding various employee benefits and qualifications. They address such areas as unemployment compensation, family and medical leave, and workmen’s compensation. These proposals may or may not apply to school districts and represent potential added costs to a district’s operations.

Two bills (E2 SHB 1073 and ESSB 5097 ) in the 2021 virtual legislative session are proposing changes.

E2 SHB 1073 | Expands coverage of the paid family and medical leave program.

(A public hearing is scheduled 3/11 @ 8 AM before the Senate Labor Committee)

ES SSB 5097 | Expands coverage of the paid family and medical leave program.

(Passed Senate. Assigned to hearing before House Labor Committee. Not yet scheduled.)

ESHB 1214 | Creates the category of safety and security staff for kindergarten through grade 12 public schools; provides requirements for safety and security staff agreements, data collection, and training, for educational service districts, school districts, and charter schools.

(Passed House 67-30-1. Assigned to Senate Early Learning/K–12 Committee. Not yet scheduled.)

SHB 1363 | Addressing secondary trauma in the K–12 workforce. It is in Rules Committee awaiting scheduling for floor action.

(Passed House 58-40. Hearing scheduled 3/12 before Senate Early Learning/K–12 Committee.)

SHB 1492 | Concerning extended benefits in the unemployment insurance system.

(Passed the House 94-2-2. Assigned to House Labor. Not yet scheduled.)

ESSB 5115 | Establishing health emergency labor standards. Creates an occupational disease presumption for frontline employees during a public health emergency for the purposes of workers’ compensation. Etc.

(Passed Senate 48-1. A public hearing is scheduled on 3/12 before House Labor Committee.)

SSB 5425 | Concerning extended benefits in the unemployment insurance system. Allows unemployment insurance claimants to be eligible for extended benefits regardless of whether their 52-week benefit year has expired; allows the state’s extended benefit program to “trigger on” without having to wait the 13 weeks between extended benefit periods; amends a job search provision, for the purposes of federal conformity, regarding denying extended benefits for failing to accept an offer of, or apply for, suitable work.

(Passed the Senate 46-3. Referred to House Labor Committee. Not yet scheduled.)

SSB 5254 | Concerning the use of protective devices and equipment during a public health emergency.

(Passed Senate 47-1-1. Referred to House Labor. Not yet scheduled.)

Fred Yancey
The Nexus Groups

As we approach the final quarter of this historic and challenging school year, principals across Washington are navigating remote, hybrid, and modified in-person learning environments for students, educators, and families. We've helped assemble a panel of principals to join the League of Education Voters for one of their lunchtime "LEVinars."

Join the free webinar on March 18, 2021 at 12:30 pm and hear from a panel of principals from across Washington state. The panel will discuss how the 2020-21 school year is going, how principals can be better supported at the state and district levels, and answer questions from attendees.

Panelists include:

• Rogers High School principal Jason Smith (Puyallup School District)
• Regal Elementary principal Tricia Kannberg (Spokane School District)
• Middle School assistant principal Carlos Gonzalez (Othello School District)
• Sultan Middle School principal Nathan Plummer (Sultan School District)
• Kelso Virtual Academy principal Cindy Cromwell (Kelso School District) 
• Si High School principal John Belcher (Snoqualmie School District) 
• Shore PreK-8 principal Justin Hendrickson (Seattle School District)      

Moderated by League of Education Voters Communications Director Arik Korman.

Register today.

This week was all about floor action in both the House and the Senate. Listening to the discussion among legislators as they discuss bills and potential amendments - even on Zoom - can be very insightful. Legislators are working hard to get bills passed by their next deadline of March 9th when they have to be passed out of each house to stay alive.

Starting March 10th, committee hearings resume and the bills that have survived will be added to agendas in the opposite house. Here is a more in-depth look at the budget and some of this session’s most important bills.

Budget

The state’s budget outlook seems to look better each month and a third round of federal funding may be on the way. But our work for stable education funding is far from over. The next major revenue forecast will be released at the March 17th meeting of the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. This forecast will be used to provide important information to budget writers as they work to put together the 2021 supplemental operating budget and the 2021–23 operating budget. Our job is to keep telling our stories about what financial support we need from the state to educate each and every student safely.

Action Step!

It would be very helpful if you could send a short email to your legislators this week (2 representatives and 1 senator and include their assistants if possible) with a brief update from you.

Here is contact information if needed:

• House of Representatives
• Senators

Here is a list of things to mention - and feel free to add other topics if you’d like.

• How is re-opening your school going - any positive news to report?
• What challenges are you facing with re-opening (shortage of staff, etc…)?
• Ask for their support of HB 1476 (levy/enrollment) and SB 5128 (transportation).

Here is language to use for #3: We urge your support for HB 1476 which will address a necessary levy policy fix, as well as state funding to ensure enrollment-based education programs are appropriately funded, and for SB 5128 which will ensure transportation funding stability. We are working hard to manage our schools safely and need reassurance that in addition to federal support, our state provides consistent and stable funding for our K–12 schools.

Graduation Bills

Governor Inslee signed HB 1121 this week which allows the State Board of Education to grant emergency waivers for graduation. The State Board is working on final rules right now and they should be adopted at next week’s March 10–11 meeting. HB 1162 has passed the House and moves on to the Senate. This bill would reduce the number of credits required for graduation from 24 to 20 and add a performance exhibition pathway to the list of pathway options. SB 5249 passed the Senate and moves on to the House. This bill would continue the work of the Mastery-Based Learning Work Group. Finally, SB 5299 passed the Senate and would allow a student, upon approval, to substitute an approved computer science course for a third-year math or science credit for graduation purposes. This substituted computer science course must align with the student’s High School and Beyond Plan.

Attendance

HB 1113 passed the House this week and this bill emphasizes the need for multi-tiered systems of support for students who are not attending school and more explicitly requires attempts at tiered supports/interventions as before a petition is filed. It would create a longer timeline for districts before filing a truancy petition and it would update the name “community truancy board” to “community engagement board”. The bill emphasizes that this board should be used after other coordinated supports and interventions have been attempted.

Learning Assistance Program (LAP)

HB 1208 passed the House this week and this bill requires that school districts budget and expend Learning Assistance Program (LAP) funds: 1) immediately and temporarily, to identify and address the academic and nonacademic needs of students resulting from and exacerbated by the COVID–19 pandemic; and 2) at the end of the Governor-declared state of emergency due to COVID–19 or beginning September 1, 2025, whichever is later, using the framework of the Washington Integrated Student Supports Protocol. This bill would also make changes to requirements and restrictions on the use of LAP funds, for example: the LAP is no longer required to focus first on addressing the reading needs of kindergarten through fourth grade students or to be designed to reduce disruptive behaviors; and the list of best practices, strategies, services and activities that may be supported by the LAP is repealed. It directs the Center for the Improvement of Student Learning (CISL) to review and report on programs and practices used in the LAP and it expands the Extended Learning Opportunity Program to ninth and tenth grades.

School Resource Officers and Other Safety Staff

HB 1214 passed off the House floor this week and this bill would add new requirements to ESDs and school districts related to safety and security staff. At the beginning of the 2021–22 school year, school districts with safety and security staff must adopt and periodically update a policy and procedure concerning safety and security staff. The required elements of the policy and procedure consist of certain existing SRO agreement requirements that are extended to the policy and procedure, for example: 1) a clear statement regarding safety and security staff duties and responsibilities; 2) the recognition that trained safety and security staff know when to informally interact with students; and 3) the description of the complaint process related to safety and security staff. The adopted policy and procedure must also include: 1) an explanation of how safety and security staff will engage in creating a positive school climate and positive relationships with students; 2) the inclusion of a description of the complaint process for companies that provides safety and security staff on contract; and 3) prescribed communication methods with students and students’ families about the role and responsibilities of safety and security staff at the beginning of the school year.

Security staff must also complete training requirements on 13-mandated subjects within the first six months of working on school property when students are expected to be present. The ESDs must identify or develop classroom training on the 13-mandated subjects. These subjects consist of the existing 12-mandated topics previously required for SRO training, along with the addition of the topic of “restorative justice principles and practices.” All school safety and security staff must complete two days of on-the-job training with experienced safety and security staff, at the school of the experienced staff, within the first year of working on school property during the school day; and safety and security staff who are not the SROs must complete at least six check-in trainings with experienced staff within the first year of working on school property during the school day.

Mental Health

Several bills have passed their house of origin that would support the mental health of students and adults. These include HB 1125 which would establish the school-based health center program office within the Department of Health, HB 1373 which would require public schools to post contact information for behavioral health organizations on their website home pages and to post corresponding information on social media websites used by the school district, and SB 5327 which would creating a confidential youth safety and well-being tip line.

HB 1363 also passed which would require OSPI to publish on its website links to resources, self-assessments, and best practices for educators and local policymakers to prevent and address secondary traumatic stress in the workforce. It also directs WSSDA to develop or revise, a model policy and procedure to prevent and address secondary traumatic stress in the workforce that includes specified elements, for example, establishing a district-wide workforce mental health committee. And, it requires school districts to adopt, by the beginning of the 2021–22 school year, policies and procedures related to secondary traumatic stress that incorporate specified elements.

We are also tracking HB 1354 concerning suicide review teams and HB 1477 which would implement a national 988 system to enhance and expand behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention services. We hope to see these both pass by March 9th.

Professional Learning

HB 1426 passed the House and this bill would require that to renew an administrator certificate on or after July 1, 2023, continuing education must meet the following requirements: 10 percent must focus on equity-based school practices; 10 percent must focus on the national professional standards for education leaders; and 5 percent must focus on government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes. To renew a teacher certificate on or after July 1, 2023, 15 percent of continuing education must focus on equity-based school practices. These requirements do not apply to a person renewing both a teacher certificate and an administrator certificate.

SB 5044 passed the Senate a few weeks ago and moves to the House next week. This bill would add equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism to existing cultural competency standards and training for school board directors, district staff, and school staff. It would direct school districts to prioritize one of three professional learning days to focus first on these topics.

Outdoor School for All

Outdoor School for All is gaining some great momentum! This is a statewide effort to get all 5th or 6th grade students to outdoor camp for a week. Senator Sam Hunt sponsored a $10 million budget request that would help start on this goal by getting 20,000 students to outdoor camp. The Washington Outdoor School Consortium (WOSC) is sponsored by our Washington School Principals Education Foundation (WSPEF) and our staff is working with a fantastic group of outdoor education advocates all across the state to make this happen. Find out more on Outdoor School for All’s website.

Other bills being tracked include:

House

HB 1028 | Repealing the EdTPA
HB 1139 | Addressing lead in drinking water
HB 1176 | Concerning student fines and fees
HB 1213 | Expanding child care and early learning programs
HB 1273 | Concerning menstrual products in schools
HB 1295 | Concerning institutional education
HB 1302 | College in the high school programs
HB 1325 | Youth behavioral health
HB 1342 | Reduced price lunch copays
HB 1356 | Prohibiting the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols or images HB 1484 | Concerning the first responder building mapping information system

Senate

SB 5030 | School counseling programs
SB 5043 | School employee housing
SB 5147 | Exploring alternative school calendars
SB 5161 | Teaching tribal history
SB 5184 | Establishing a foster care point of contact in each building
SB 5242 | Media literacy and digital citizenship
SB 5264 | Chinese American history
SB 5265 | Creating a bridge year pilot program
SB 5321 | Expanding access to the college bound scholarship
SB 5322 | Prohibiting SEBB and PEBB dual enrollment

More Links

• How to Sign-in for Remote Testimony (register a position, written, or live testimony)
• Fred Yancey’s Retirement & Health Benefits Update
• Dan Steele’s (WASA) Report from 1/15/21
• TVW
• Legislative Website
• AWSP Advocacy and Action Center

This content is emailed weekly to leaders in special education and Section 504. Each newsletter contains tips and resources on a variety of topics that are meant to keep you informed and up to date. Please consult your district attorney if you are looking for legal advice.