[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6347982,"mediaKeyId","2243290-349f7f33b5aab55a02ec93a5a9105aa2","parentId",2243290,"title","Committee adopts substitute and sends complaint‑process bill to Ways & Means","audioSeconds",390,"startMs",5874000,"endMs",6264000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243290-349f7f33b5aab55a02ec93a5a9105aa2&start=5874&end=6264","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243290-349f7f33b5aab55a02ec93a5a9105aa2/thumbnail_5874000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6347982/Washington/Committee-adopts-substitute-and-sends-complaintprocess-bill-to-Ways-Means","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347982-f8805e6aed0ebfbde9cae293a2d3d8e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092889&Signature=cWuNWWo9e3MP14x5kFEzynaFdSuiXAY8oCLUOJU2A2H-lDZMQ5IZYYs6XlMHlLe76oLQBmmfDXXnHOsjgPf4rfE~FNGz~-9JCI9XJP2Xo53TtbglhjFdQRzxFNpkCppY84aSFvXYhuGBIAY4f8FLg~FsX-hMob-XS3nPFxd6Zko8NZrtbHajWPDvrk0TS3Ev1xUFMhUB~VDRqiWqnOQbgs40PwfsdLAEneCQY2sBiXb~BRrWQ4zxA9ohDf0cvgHUQzdQh8cRJEcL~-9hgk9sqqlARqQPkl4Iqdi9mMSCHcD3vBFpcItBFz2YVHzqYFV3Cn2FbYczHiwwwaW4RgKLMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Early Learning & K–12 Education Committee voted to adopt a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5,179 and gave the substitute a due‑pass recommendation to the Ways & Means Committee. The bill directs the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish a process to investigate and address complaints alleging noncompliance with certain state laws, requires school districts and charter or tribal compact schools to submit compliance action plans where OSPI finds noncompliance, and permits OSPI to impose certain consequences for willful noncompliance.

Eileen Cotto, staff to the committee, described the bill and the substitute. She said it \"requires school districts, charter schools, and state tribal education compact schools to submit compliance action plans if OSPI finds noncompliance with these laws and allows OSPI to impose certain consequences for willful non compliance.\" The proposed substitute (labeled A) adds a requirement that a person who intends to file a complaint with OSPI must provide notice of the complaint to the district superintendent before filing with OSPI and harmonizes language where \"complaint procedures\" becomes \"complaint process.\" Cotto recited a fiscal note estimate she said was approximately $1,000,000 for 2025–27 and $962,000 for future biennia, plus non‑zero but indeterminate costs for school districts.

Committee discussion focused on the level of authority given to OSPI and on the fiscal estimate. Senator Harris expressed concern about the amount of authority and the fiscal cost. Senator McCune raised concerns about potential conflicts with federal constitutional protections and religious‑freedom claims, noting the bill's broader enforcement mechanisms could raise legal questions. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, said they want to ensure local district processes have the opportunity to operate first and that the amendment requiring notice to a superintendent reflects that principle, while also preserving an outside avenue for complaints when local remedies are insufficient.

The committee proceeded to votes. A senator moved adoption of the proposed substitute; the chair called for a voice vote and the committee adopted the substitute after \"Aye\" and \"Nay\" calls. The committee then voted to recommend the substitute be given a due‑pass and to be sent to the Ways & Means Committee. The committee clerk announced that the bill \"has passed subject to signatures.\" The transcript did not record a roll‑call tally of named members; the outcome was adoption and advancement to Ways & Means.

Ending: The committee's action sends SB 5,179 (proposed substitute A) to the Ways & Means Committee for budget consideration; committee members asked staff and sponsors to work on any outstanding concerns about OSPI authority and implementation costs before further floor action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education - 2/6/2025 10:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The committee adopted a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5,179 and gave it a due‑pass recommendation to the Ways & Means Committee; the bill requires OSPI to establish a process to investigate noncompliance with specified state education laws and allows OSPI to require compliance plans and impose consequences for willful noncompliance.","taxTitle","Early Learning & K-12 Education, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20501,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6347987,"Bill would change levy cap and local effort assistance; sponsors and critics warn of equity tradeoffs",1767,4020000,5787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243290-349f7f33b5aab55a02ec93a5a9105aa2&start=4020&end=5787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243290-349f7f33b5aab55a02ec93a5a9105aa2/thumbnail_4020000.jpg","/articles/6347987/Washington/Bill-would-change-levy-cap-and-local-effort-assistance-sponsors-and-critics-warn-of-equity-tradeoffs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347987-e582507c0999ca3e2ddfc94c451e703f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092889&Signature=E4M0SZ7r5Zg1SRGILCOeIFgp3IH0hhXcCcMr115NwluAjtStWMecFjxwsqAXIzcyE98Le0doYqaxaKtET6ZNG5dnyzd0rRkSpMAWmP98lN-WLMSYKUAdF16sTTTxecgACLicowYiQ~OVVYr0w9MdJlcJZQXkJ0vq92bHMag1a0tb-YbnKpdCsOe0tJ8ARjfCQ42hpQoO1w26X94kTegRFrpN-j8PcfaYwWqbx0WVu8p99005kfBJH4T3As50n0qc8Sfu7WGlLoKs3yVN~YAsn18JgpzFzBlwMXd~RICZp8vqzlYQuh83MA4hebyGiv6M~tjxLilXMUPJ5FYovcs0mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Early Learning & K–12 Education Committee heard Senate Bill 5,593, a proposal that would change how school enrichment levy limits are calculated and would revise local effort assistance (LEA) formulas intended to help property‑poor districts. Alex Fair Fortune, staff to the committee, and several witnesses described both the mechanics and the potential fiscal and equity effects.

Fortune summarized the bill: under current law the levy cap is based on a maximum levy rate or a per‑pupil cap; the bill would instead set the maximum enrichment levy amount equal to 30% of state allocations provided to the district (basic education allocations, categorical programs, and food service allocations). It would also alter LEA eligibility so a district is eligible if it must levy above the statewide average to collect revenues equivalent to 18% of its state allocation; the bill provides formulas for calculating LEA amounts. A fiscal note had been requested but was not yet available.

Supporters including district lobbyists and the superintendent's office described the bill as an additional tool to help districts cope with tight budgets. Clifford Draceman, a lobbyist representing several large districts, said the change \"could benefit Highline as much as $20,000,000 a year, Bellevue as much as $12,000,000 a year, Seattle 25 or more million a year, North Shore 20 Million a year.\" Tyler Munch of OSPI said the bill \"provides districts more flexibility\" and emphasized the need for LEA funding to be adjusted regularly for inflation.

Opponents and cautious commenters — including taxpayer groups and some district finance officials — warned the bill's mechanics are complex and could exacerbate inequities. Jeff Pack of Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes described the proposal as \"horribly complex, incomprehensible.\" District CFOs and superintendents said the bill should not distract from the \"big 3\" funding priorities—special education, transportation and MSOC (materials, supplies and operating costs)—and some witnesses urged parallel LEA adjustments to prevent widening the funding gap between property‑rich and property‑poor districts.

Several witnesses asked for more modeling to show how the bill would affect individual districts. Panelists also noted that levies are voter‑approved local taxes and capacity to pass levies varies by community.

Ending: The committee concluded the hearing after extensive testimony. Witnesses and staff said further modeling and discussion would be needed to resolve equity concerns and to understand district‑level impacts before the Legislature considers substantive changes.","Senate Bill 5,593 would set a new maximum enrichment levy amount at 30% of state allocations and change local effort assistance (LEA) eligibility and formulas; sponsors called it a tool to help districts raise local funds while some district and equity advocates warned the changes could widen disparities without parallel investments in basic ed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6347991,"Panel urges pay increases for classified school staff as committee hears salary allocation bill",1866,2138000,4004000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243290-349f7f33b5aab55a02ec93a5a9105aa2&start=2138&end=4004","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243290-349f7f33b5aab55a02ec93a5a9105aa2/thumbnail_2138000.jpg","/articles/6347991/Washington/Panel-urges-pay-increases-for-classified-school-staff-as-committee-hears-salary-allocation-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347991-de37fd8a34f6fc9220dc235b3160462b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092889&Signature=g~X1ewzF~R347t3RhyHC3yBmOAIpN1Z77PQYDGlySKvS4OPFU9O1z-U~VX6E66A98OzBx0pPQy6AyGjVj0lD2qjeNYDtb02XJG4DAiAGDHJeZFLFnssOZmzdCzbh9uZ3tiMdu~VLq1eMnrgQbgrKljmtg53BShVsFEc7M-nhjSR7S-8V32bbgH4bIZPlShlxYwYE3Xwvc605h~TTRgcYdhsqavadfkRAuWuEpBGX6EcGFlkwJQRa0YOllIQv57VCFBBPT6Pd1~nSdNNuo~4vlCenEgG7kE2kzINM5NK0aqdox~G8oJ1McrbZ2ef4DWeXE90j5im0jDS9NPT8ldptsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Early Learning & K–12 Education Committee heard Senate Bill 5,517, which would increase the state's minimum salary allocation used to calculate state funding for classified school staff and, beginning in the 2027–28 school year, split the classified category into \"classified administrative staff\" and \"other classified staff\" with different allocations.

Alex Fair Fortune, staff to the committee, described the current funding model: the state uses minimum salary allocations paired with staff ratios in the prototypical school model to generate funding. He said the bill increases the classified staff minimum allocation from $56,105 to $67,325 beginning in the 2025–26 school year, rising to $73,384 the following year, and then establishes separate allocations in 2027–28 of $99,164 for classified administrative staff and $79,988 for other classified staff. Fortune recited the fiscal estimate: \"a fiscal note is available and reflects an estimated cost of 695,000,000 in the 25 27 biennium, '1 point '6 billion in the 27 29 biennium, and 2,600,000,000.0 in the 29 31 biennium.\"

Supporters — education unions, school employees and district officials — urged the committee to advance the bill to address recruitment and retention problems and the widespread use of second jobs among educational support professionals (ESPs). Larry Delaney, president of the Washington Education Association and a high school math teacher, said ESPs are \"the heart of our schools\" and described staff performing essential roles ranging from nutrition services to transportation to translation. Janie White, vice president of the WEA and an office professional, testified that low wages push ESPs to take additional jobs and reduce stability for students.

Multiple individual school employees testified on working conditions and personal hardship. Davina Racola, a food service lead at Foster High School in Tukwila, described understaffing in custodial and food-service positions and said several summer positions went unfilled because the hours and pay were insufficient. Jason Scott, a head custodian, described rent increases that have absorbed wage gains and said the bill \"would significantly improve compensation for K–12 classified staff.\" Bay Knight, a paraeducator in Bremerton, said higher wages would allow classified staff to keep their jobs and reduce the need for multiple jobs.

Representatives of district and finance organizations supported higher compensation but urged caution about implementation. Dan Steele of the Association of Washington School Administrators and School Business Officials said members \"respect classified staff\" but worried that a large increase in minimum allocations without corresponding changes elsewhere could complicate collective bargaining and create pressure for other bargaining units to seek parity. Several district CFOs and superintendents urged the legislature to consider staffing ratios in the prototypical model as an alternative route to improving services and noted local budget constraints.

Ending: No final vote was taken; committee members were presented with testimony and fiscal modeling to inform further work on compensation policy and budget tradeoffs.","Senate Bill 5,517 would raise the state's minimum salary allocations for classified school staff and create separate allocations for classified administrative staff; witnesses including school employees and unions testified about recruitment, retention and financial hardship; fiscal estimates run into the hundreds of millions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6347996,"Committee hears bill to require tribal sovereignty curriculum, OSPI to support local consultation",2037,87000,2124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243290-349f7f33b5aab55a02ec93a5a9105aa2&start=87&end=2124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243290-349f7f33b5aab55a02ec93a5a9105aa2/thumbnail_87000.jpg","/articles/6347996/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-require-tribal-sovereignty-curriculum-OSPI-to-support-local-consultation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347996-c6209fb0ea1d7547ab4a163a03847273/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092890&Signature=SikSIjkH1BOiOVq8sfHB~Zua43rjQvpMTrAD296vCLZR9dWqxcDpnmHK1hqbHGIMvM4lyPCIN3ritL6uo-ME~kwkjLVWYWbrMHX-D584oBnA9B-ih1jWAXN1Er4l9vlANZ1yUMh1cE7W2sKrl01WFfbATx23TZU7UjJHQP-72aEW9hTMiXSvrNGah3wOG8VD7ANPbelO5vGmGOoEApuNqgQBs~etOLEQPPb9wX7HEDZCTB9HaFuniaFK2KnUTEbJvDz2-K41bMMRq5l-aSE~tElyfg7UNZMNcFhxH-xSDxmJZwt-tUtk0Ktf-q4U4O3QfBI-qZB78QCrSdcHh2suAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5,570, which would require Washington public school districts to incorporate curriculum about federally recognized tribes into social studies courses no later than Sept. 1, 2026, and to \"consult and collaborate with federally recognized tribes\" during that process. Elena Becker, committee staff, presented the bill to the Early Learning & K–12 Education Committee.

Becker told the committee: \"This bill is Senate Bill 55 70 relating to supporting public school instruction in tribal sovereignty and federally recognized Indian tribes.\" She summarized that districts already have a statutory duty dating from 2015 to incorporate tribal history and that the state-maintained John McCoy \"Since Time Immemorial\" curriculum is the statutory resource districts are directed to use.

The bill would add the word \"consult\" to the collaboration directive, require the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) through its Office of Native Education to assist districts in identifying tribes that meet consultation requirements, and add three reporting requirements: (1) the State Board of Education must monitor district compliance and report to the Legislature; (2) OSPI must report by Sept. 1, 2026, on compensation for tribal expertise and recommended metrics for evaluating consultation and curricular implementation; and (3) the Office of Native Education's annual report must include information about consultations, tribal perspectives on implementation, and recommendations to promote consultation efforts. Becker also noted a fiscal note estimating operating costs of $549,000 in the 2025–27 biennium.

Tribal leaders, educators and local school staff spoke in favor. Monica Tonaskett, a council member of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, said, \"I am in favor of Senate Bill 5,570. It is time to include and expand the teaching of the history of tribes and the current state of tribal nations and the unique status the tribes hold as sovereign nations.\" Charlene Taliquot, of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, told the committee that roughly 95% of Yakama students attend public schools and that \"it is time to address this lack of education and to once again direct public schools to work with the neighboring tribal governments together.\"

Educators and tribal curriculum developers described local work and needs. Elise Washines, who identified herself as a former curriculum writer and current school board member, said the state curriculum is available on OSPI's website and that she has created tribe-specific subsections. Bernard Koontz, executive director for instruction in Highline Public Schools, supported sections of the bill that would place implementation reporting into the state's accountability structures and would provide compensation for tribal partners, saying it recognizes the \"huge ask\" the work places on tribal contributors.

Senator Claudia Kauffman, the bill's prime sponsor, described the proposal as a continuation of nearly two decades of work to make tribal history and indigenous knowledge part of public-school instruction across Washington and said the bill adds timelines and reporting to improve implementation.

Supporters urged stronger accountability and reimbursement for tribal time and expertise. Karen Hahn, vice chair for the Confederated Tribes, urged the committee to support the bill's section calling for OSPI recommendations regarding reimbursement for tribal development of resources, noting tribes have invested substantial human and financial resources in language modules and other materials.

The committee did not take a final vote on the bill during the hearing. Proponents said the bill matters for tribal students and for all students' civic education; some witnesses urged careful roll-out and adequate resources for districts and tribes to consult and localize materials.

Ending: The hearing transitioned to other bills after witnesses finished their testimonies; the committee recorded the testimony and fiscal estimates for further consideration.","Senate Bill 5570 would require school districts to incorporate curriculum about federally recognized tribes by Sept. 1, 2026, direct OSPI to help identify tribes for consultation, and add reporting and compensation review; tribal leaders and educators testified in support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee adopts substitute and sends complaint‑process bill to Ways & Means

Bill would change levy cap and local effort assistance; sponsors and critics warn of equity tradeoffs

Panel urges pay increases for classified school staff as committee hears salary allocation bill

Committee hears bill to require tribal sovereignty curriculum, OSPI to support local consultation