Gop `Contract’ On Schools A Big Winner

A unanimous House has approved the Republicans’ “Contract With Washington State” bill on school funding and deregulation.

But minority Democrats said Monday the legislation is mostly for show and does little more than instigate some of those studies for which state government is so famous.

The measure, HB1027, seeks to redirect some of the school administration dollars into the classroom. All districts with more than 500 pupils would be expected to review their budgets and make sure that at least two-thirds of the tax dollar is going directly to instruction and materials. There is no penalty spelled out for failure to meet the guidelines, however.

Statewide, an average of 13 percent is spent on administration at the central district office and the individual school level. A small fraction of 1 percent is retained at the state level for administration. About 68 percent goes into the classroom, including teacher salaries. The rest goes for food services, secretaries, transportation, utilities, computers, insurance and other costs.

The bill also would require a new study of Washington’s statelevel system of governing schools, including the roles of the state school superintendent’s office, state Board of Education, educational service districts, and other boards.

The select committee would be looking for ways to reduce overhead costs.