WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Win-win for students, schools is on governor’s desk

Better education for at-risk students, stronger accountability for schools, and increased efficiency for local governments are objectives all wrapped inside successful legislation sponsored by Rep. June Robinson.

 The measure (House Bill 2276) unanimously passed both legislative chambers and now awaits only approval from Gov. Jay Inslee to become the law of the state.

Robinson’s winning proposal would allow the state’s Educational Service Districts (ESDs) to contract directly with a county for education services for students residing in the county’s detention center. Existing state law directs that such a contract must be drawn up between the ESD and specific local school districts and between the school districts and the county.

The Snohomish County lawmaker explained that her legislation “is aimed both at making sure services are provided more economically and at strengthening accountability for student-education for all of the involved families — as well as the education-system and county officials.”

Robinson added that “this bill won’t increase the financial cost of providing a good education for these youngsters. It will actually result in savings for school districts that are involved in this process. This is a simple bill, really, that is intended to clarify a piece of state law in this area.”

Check this press release for more details.