OLYMPIA — Legislation was introduced this week to help school districts that have been hit hard by budget cuts due to less state aid. During the current school year they would have the option to seek the state Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (SPI) approval of a school program with up to three fewer days (or the hourly equivalent) than the standard 180 days.
Rep. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, sponsored House Bill 1607, and Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County, sponsored its companion, Senate Bill 5511, that would temporarily broaden the authority of the SPI during the 2010-11 school year to grant school districts the exemption.
During the current state budget crisis, restructuring the required amount of school days can create local savings. Reducing hours of the remaining school year would help mitigate the impacts of unforeseen state funding reductions savings in utilities, transportation, and certain personnel costs.
Not every district will want or need to take advantage of this option. Those who choose to will submit an application for review to SPI.
Rockefeller said, “In ordinary times I wouldn’t consider seeking this authority but given the extraordinary fiscal problems regarding the 295 school districts, I believe local school districts may need flexibility on a case by case basis.”
“School districts have taken an unprecedented hit to their budgets during this historic recession,” Rolfes said. “We can’t keep pretending that there will be no impact to the classrooms or the kids from reductions in state spending. I’d rather provide more funding to the schools, but at this point it has become a discussion of quality versus quantity. This option may allow some schools to finish out the year without abrupt cuts to programs and staff.”