As this year’s scheduled 105-day session hit the 30-day mark Tuesday, lawmakers continue to work on plans to change the way the state pays for basic education. Any agreement is still a long way off, but two contrasting proposals were presented at a public hearing of the House Appropriations Committee on Monday afternoon.

The Republican proposal, SB 5607, was passed by the Senate by a 25-24 vote last week.  Twenty-four Republicans and one Democrat voted for the measure, while all the remaining Democratic senators voted against it. In the House, Democrats introduced their education-funding plan, HB 1843. Both bills were considered at Monday’s committee hearing. The House committee may vote on one or both bills during its meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 9th at 3:30 p.m.

In substance, the Republican plan would phase-out local school levies and reduce property taxes statewide by about $2.4 billion. In exchange, the Republicans would enact a new statewide property tax levy of $1.80 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, to raise about $2 billion more for schools in the next two years. The plan is designed to provide a minimum of $12,500 per student, with increases provided as needed for special needs students, inflation and future educational needs.  The idea is to reduce reliance on local levies, which vary widely depending on local property values, and provide stable increase for all students based on reliable state funding.  If passed by the House, the proposal would go to voters for approval at next November’s election.

The House Democrats’ plan is more conservative.  It would continue local levy dollars at current rates, but would restrict the use of such funds for basic education expenses. Democrats have said they want about $1.6 billion in new taxes over the next two years to fully fund school employee costs. The bill does not specify how the money would be raised, but Democrats have separately proposed a new carbon tax that would raise the price of fuel, a capital gains income tax, and raising state business and occupation taxes.

Beyond per-student funding, the Republican plan would allow people with advanced degrees and life experience, but not a formal teaching certificate, to teach in public schools. During floor debate, on the Senate bill, Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, had said that “we need more people with real-world experience in the classroom.” 

Democrats objected to the idea of allowing people without traditional educator training to teach public school classes.  Currently, private schools are exempt from the state teacher-certification mandate.

The Republican plan would prohibit teachers from striking and would allow school districts to fire bad teachers. Federal data shows children in Washington are more likely to have their education disrupted by a union strike than in any other state.

Democrats would not limit the right of teachers unions to bargain with local school districts, except to require that contracts must meet at least the minimum salary levels provided in the Democrats’ plan.

Republicans say they want to raise beginning teacher pay from $35,700 to $45,000 annually, compared to the Democrats’ proposed $45,500 starting pay. Many beginning teachers already make more than what the state pays because local school districts provide extra money, but the state Supreme Court’s ruling requires that the state pick up the entire tab.

While proposed starting salaries are similar in both plans, Democrats would require the state to pay teachers who have been working for three years a minimum of $50,500 a year, and to bring up average salaries to $70,824 per teacher by the 2019-20 school year. Administrator pay would be raised to $117,159 at the same time.

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