The Central Kitsap School District was given an hour Nov. 30 to speak to the State Quality Education Council in an effort to guide changes to the K-12 education system in our state.

“The session went well,” CKSD Superintendent Greg Lynch said. “Based upon the feedback, there isn’t anyone who was not in support of the concept and as far as I know, CKSD was the only school district to have this honor and opportunity.”

The QEC was created under the Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2261, a major education reform bill passed during the 2009 Legislative session, which provides for the restructuring of virtually every major element of the K-12 education system. Those elements include: Funding, student transportation systems, a change in school time requirements, data reporting and accountability system, a change in licensure/evaluation of teachers, graduation requirements and more.

According to Lynch, ESHB 2261 initiatives are only introduced with assurance districts have the capacity to implement these changes. Capacity is defined by the time, dollars and appropriately qualified staff it takes to plan and implement change, and that specified initiatives must be fully funded prior to implementation and OSPI has the essential role of determining that capacity.

Under ESHB 2261, schools and districts must have the ability to support and provide capital facilities for instruction, adequate numbers of qualified staff, higher education capacity to prepare next generation educators and data systems capable of allocating resources in a manner consistent with evidence-based practices shown to improve student learning.

ESHB 2261, has the primary responsibility of ensuring the successful implementation of the new legislation. A critical task of the Council is to provide guidance to the legislature and others on the strategic implementation of the changes required of school districts.