Developing a Stable Funding System for Public Education

Basic Education Finance Task Force

The joint task force committee, created by SB 5627, will review the current basic education definition and develop a new definition and funding structure that aligns with the final Washington Learns report and provisions in current law.

The Basic Education Finance Task Force will hold meetings on the following dates:

• March 24, 2008  
• April 14, 2008
• May 6, 2008
• June 9-10, 2008
• July 7-8, 2008
• August 6, 2008
• September 15-16, 2008
• October 14-15, 2008
• November 17-18, 2008
• December 8-9, 2008 

View the Draft Initial Report to the Joint Task Force (Sept. 2007)

Task Force Members

Priorities

Timeline and Reporting Requirements

Research and Recommendations

LEVF testimony, September 10th
 

Task Force Members

Governor's appointees include:

• Dan Grimm, director of Doughty Hanson & Co. and a former legislative budget leader and state treasurer, was appointed chair of the task force.
• Cheryl Chow, president of Seattle School District board of directors and long-time educator with teaching, administration and state agency experience.
• Dr. Bette Hyde, superintendent of the Bremerton School District and a member of the Washington Learns K-12 advisory committee.
• Jim Kowalkowski,superintendent of the Davenport School District and the executive director of the Rural Education Center at Washington State University.
• Laurie Dolan, Office of the Governor/Office of Financial Management, director of the Executive Policy Office for Governor Gregoire with 30 years working for Spokane Public Schools.

Elected officials on the task force include:

• Dr. Terry Bergeson, Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Senator Lisa Brown (D-3) Senate Majority Leader
• Senator Rodney Tom (D-48) Vice Chair, Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education
• Senator Mike Hewitt (R-16) Senate Minority Leader
• Senator Janéa Holmquist (R-13) Ranking Minority, Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education
• Representative Kathy Haigh (D-35) Chair, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
• Representative Ross Hunter (D-48) Chair, House Finance Committee
• Representative Pat Sullivan (D-47) Vice Chair, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
• Representation Glenn Anderson (R-5) Ranking Minority Member, Senate Higher Education
• Representative Fred Jarrett (D-41) House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
• Representative Skip Priest (R-30) Ranking Minority Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education

Priorities

Alternative structures developed by the task force must take into consideration priorities identified in the legislation, to the maximum extent possible and as appropriate to each formula. The funding structure must reflect the most effective instructional strategies and service delivery models based on research-proven education programs and activities with demonstrated cost benefits. In doing this, the task force must consider the following:

• Professional development for all staff;
• Whether the compensation system for instructional staff will include pay for performance, knowledge, and skills elements; regional cost-of-living elements; elements to recognize assignments that are difficult; recognition for the professional teaching level certificate in the salary allocation model; and a plan to implement the pay structure;
• Voluntary all-day kindergarten;
• Optimum class size, including different class sizes based on grade level and ways to reduce class size;
• Focused instructional support for students and schools;
• Extended school day and school year options; and,
• Health and safety requirements.

Timeline and Reporting Requirements

The Washington Institute for Public Policy will provide the task force with the following reports:

• An initial report by September 15, 2007, proposing an initial plan of action, reporting dates, timelines for fulfilling the priorities listed below, and an initial timeline for a phased-in implementation of a new funding system that does not exceed six years;
• A second report by December 1, 2007, including implementing legislation as necessary, for at least two but no more than four options for allocating school employee compensation. One of the options must be a redirection and prioritization within existing resources based on research-proven education programs. The report must also include a projection of the expected effect of the investment made under the new funding structure. The second report shall also include a finalized timeline and plan for addressing the remaining components of a new funding system; and,
• A final report with at least two but no more than four options for revising the remaining K-12 funding structure, including implementing legislation as necessary, and a timeline for phasing in full adoption of the new funding structure. The final report shall be submitted to the joint task force by September 15, 2008. One of the options must be a redirection and prioritization within existing resources based on research-proven education programs. The final report must also include a projection of the expected effect of the investment made under the new funding structure.

Research and Recommendations

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy will consult with stakeholders and experts in the field while conducting research directed by the task force. The Institute may request assistance from LEAP (the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program committee), OSPI (the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction), OFM (the Office of Financial Management), the House Office of Program Research and the Senate Committee Services.

The task force must review and build on the following:

• Reports related to K-12 finance produced at the request of or as a result of the Washington Learns study, including reports completed for or by the K-12 advisory committee http://www.washingtonlearns.wa.gov/;
• High-quality studies that are available; and,
• The repository of research and evaluation of the cost-benefits of various K-12 programs and services developed by the institute as directed by the 2006 legislature (Chapter 372, Laws of 2006; Sec. 607(15)).