WASB Legislative Agenda

​(applicable WASB Resolution in parenthesis)

In 2024, the WASB will advocate for…

1.   Local School Board Authority, including:

• • • Opposing the creation or expansion of unfunded state mandates. (3.20)
    • Local control of school district referenda including removing restrictions/penalties (Act 141/low revenue ceiling). (1.25)
    • School start date flexibility. (1.22)

2.   Address Staffing Shortages, including:

• • • Support legislation to remove any impediments to rehiring retired teachers and staff. (4.37)
    • Support state and federal initiatives to assist rural school districts in their efforts to attract and retain high-quality staff, including student loan forgiveness programs and grants for teachers who commit to work in rural school districts for at least a minimum number of years. (4.72)
    • Supports reasonable efforts to provide pathways to licensure for teaching candidates in subject or content areas where there is a shortage of licensed teachers if candidates have bachelor’s degrees and are qualified to be in a classroom. (4.61 (b))
    • Oppose and urge restraint on new mandates/requirements that will exacerbate staffing challenges. (3.20, 4.61)
    • Support efforts to increase the supply of school social workers, school counselors and mental health providers throughout the state. (4.61 (c))
    • Support legislation to provide all teaching license applicants with an alternative pathway to licensure that does not require passage of the Foundations of Reading Test (FORT). (4.61 (d))

3.   Career and Technical Education (CTE) Support the development of career and technical education programs in school districts by urging the state to support and strengthen existing CTE programs and stimulate the development of new programs. (3.60)

4.   Declining Enrollment Continue to explore legislation to alleviate the funding effects on school districts with declining enrollment. (2.17)

5.   Shared School District Services Work to implement the legislation recommended by the study committee to remove obstacles and provide additional resources to empower districts to share services or explore consolidation while preserving local school board authority. (1.30, 2.16, 3.29, 5.00)

6.   Equal Aid Payments Schedule In the environment of state surplus, support the changing of payment of equalization aids to four equal installments (25% each) in September, December, March, and June. (2.20 (d))