This bill aims to enhance the flexibility of school districts in Washington by allowing them to grant waivers or partial waivers of state laws and rules for individual schools. It emphasizes local decision-making in education, enabling schools to customize their approaches to better serve their students and communities. To apply for a waiver, a school principal must submit a rationale to the school district's board of directors, detailing how the waiver will improve student learning. The bill also requires public review and comment on waiver requests during school board meetings. New sections are added to various chapters of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to outline the waiver process and conditions, reinforcing the intent to empower local school districts while maintaining essential educational standards.

Additionally, the bill specifies that any savings from granted waivers must be shared with the requesting schools and the teachers who initiated the waiver. It clarifies that certain laws and regulations, particularly those concerning health, safety, civil rights, and basic education requirements, cannot be waived. The bill also amends existing laws to ensure that certificated employees enforce the prescribed course of study and regulations, and it modifies language in RCW 41.56.906 and RCW 41.59.935 to prevent agreements between school district employers and classified employees from limiting waiver authority. The legislation includes provisions to maintain its validity even if parts are found invalid or conflict with federal requirements.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 28A.405.060, 41.56.906, 41.59.935