This post comes to us courtesy of Jason Mercier at the Washington Policy Center, who is ever-vigilant when it comes to state contracts, especially those for which there is no competition.

Former state Rep. Bill Fromhold, D-Vanvouver, is getting a $69,000 contract to do some work for state schools that only he can do. Why else would it be a sole source contract?

STATE OF WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
LEGAL NOTICE
SOLE SOURCE ADVERTISEMENT

Legislation was enacted in 2009 (ESHB 2261) that identifies a framework and timeline for developing and implementing a new financing method for schools that meet the constitutional requirements of the state. As a result, OSPI contemplates awarding a sole source contract to Capitol Solutions for a 12-month period to provide expert legislative assistance regarding state and federal legislation affecting OSPI in such key areas as education, financial resources, and budget development in both the capital and operating budget arenas.

Mr. Bill Fromhold, dba, Capitol Solutions, has the necessary expertise to assist OSPI with the time-sensitive and complex work required as a result of ESHB 2261.

=> Read more!

Among general government workers in Washington, Joe Dear ranked second with a salary of $223,110. Dear was executive director of the state Investment Board until his departure in March.

And you'll understand why he left when you see the salary he got from CalPERS, the California state pension fund. His base salary jumped to $475,000 a year, but there were provisions in Dear's contract with California that could boost his total annual pay to about $800,000.

Even at that, he still makes less than a decent college football coach. Go figure.

Speaking of which, here is thecontract for UW football coach Steve Sarkisian. His base salary is only $300,000 so he didn't make the Top 10 anywhere. But as you can see, his total compensation is about $1.25 million or so. And it grows in future years.

TOP 10 SALARIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
1. Elson Floyd, president, Washington State University: $625,000.
2. Mark Emmert, president, University of Washington: $620,004.
3. Johnese M. Spisso, vice president, University of Washington: $$515,196.
4. Bill Doba, former WSU head football coach: $494,960.
5. Don Miller, non-tenured UW professor: $466,548
6. Lorenzo Romar, UW basketball coach: $412,020.
7. Phyllis Wise, UW Provost: $409,896.
8. Nick Vedder, non-tenured UW professor: $375,000.
9. Bruce Ferguson, UW assistant vice president-provost: $373,632
10. Ruth Mahan, UW director: $370,272.

Here is a link to my earlier post, with all kinds of other stuff about state salaries.

TOP 10 SALARIES IN GENERAL GOVERNMENT
1. Gary Bruebaker, chief investment officer, Investment Board: $300,132.
2. Joe Dear, executive director, Investment Board: $223,110.
3. Steven Draper, William Kennett, Philip Paroian, Thomas Ruggels, all senior investment officers, Investment Board: $220,764.
4. Diana Will, senior investment officer, Investment Board: $194,244.
5. Asha Singh, superintendent, Department of Social and Health Services: $182,784.
6. Theresa Whitmarsh, senior investment officer, Investment Board: $181,056.
7. G.S. Hammond, clinical program administrator, Department of Corrections: $174,780.
8. Matt Smith, State Actuary: $173,856.
9. Kamaljit Floura, medical assistant superintendent, Social and Health Services: $173,280.
10. Gary Franklin, medical director, Department of Labor and Industries: $172,764.

Maybe all this is of interest only to education insiders but there's more today on Washington state's potential for scoring more education stimulus money from the Obama Administration.

In addition to the cash already doled out, the administration set aside $5.3 billion worth of carrots to states that start reforming their schools. The feds want new data systems to measure student progress, systems to make sure each classroom has a competent teacher trained in the subject matter, adoption of high standards and a plan to turn around the lowest performing schools. Obama also wants states to offer charter schools as an option to traditional schools.

A complex set of application criteria is coming out of Washington, D.C. and education officials are trying gauge whether their states will make the cut.

Gov. Chris Gregoire said earlier in the summer that Washington hasn't done enough yet to be eligible. While passage of House Bill 2261 was a good start, much of the reform work is yet to be done.

Then the League of Education Voters issued a report saying the state has done plenty toward reforms and should apply. That caused state Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn to issue a statement saying that he has always intended to apply for money.

Here's his statement:

From: Randy I. Dorn, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Re: Race to the Top money

A recent editorial by The Everett Herald as well as a report by the League of Education Voters might have created some confusion that I want to clear up.

Washington will be applying for Race to the Top money.
The exact requirements needed to receive the money have yet to be announced. But, as I’ve said many times before, we are confident about our chances based on what we’ve heard from the U.S. Department of Education.

While Washington voters have said no to charter schools, this state features many schools that are similar to the charter school philosophy, such as Aviation High School in Des Moines and the Tacoma School of The Arts. We have a system in National Board Certification that is more popular every year and rewards teachers for additional work. Our new data system tracks students by year and by class, our standards are top-notch and our assessment system is one just a dozen fully approved by the federal government.

Second, there is no penalty for applying. We’ve been told that all applications will be reviewed carefully, and applicants will be informed of where they fell short if they don’t receive money in the first round.

The application is due in the fall. When we have more details, we’ll make them available to you.

Which is the opposite of what Gov. Chris Gregoire has said.

Race to the Top is the special $5.3 billion pot of money set aside by the Obama Administration to encourage states to reform their education systems. Gregoire has said she doubts the state would be eligible because it hasn't met many of the criteria set up – making sure each classroom has a competent teacher, improving achievement in low-performing schools, having a good data collection system to measure results, offering charter schools.

Gregoire said perhaps the state would be ready for a second round of funding if the next session of the Legislature acts on some of these issues.

But a report by The League of Education Voters asserts that the state meet minimum eligibility and should apply for funds now.

"In the wake of the WASL and AYP results announced last week showing flat scores and little progress in closing the achievement gap, Washington State needs this funding more than ever to improve our schools and increase student achievement," LEV said in a statement. "And despite some rumors to the contrary, Washington does meet the minimum application eligibility requirements for the Race to the Top Fund. A bold application would make Washington a legitimate contender for this funding, which would give a much-needed boost to the state's education system."

"While almost every other state in the nation is discussing how to compete in the Race to the Top, Washington State seems to be engaged in a Race to the Sidelines," said Chris Korsmo, executive director of the league.

Their numbers in the Legislature are so small that any announcement from House Republicans is like whistling in the wind (can anyone hear them?), but that's not stopping GOP budget leader Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia, from coming out with his Top Ten budget ideas.

Writing the news release at least kept Brendon Wold busy for part of the summer.

Here's an interesting one, only because you don't often see Republicans talk about increasing spending much. Of course, if the state were to spend more on K-12, it would have to make corresponding cuts in other programs to keep GOPers happy.

3. K-12 Education: Do not defer the beginning funding of HB 2261 to the 2013-15 Biennium. If this is the panacea for our new definition of basic education, then there is an obligation to prepare and implement a funding plan beginning much sooner. That plan should replace the Student Achievement Fund and the Education Legacy Trust Account, not augment them.

Here's the rest:

House Republican budget leader releases 'top ten' budget ideas for improving state's budget outlook

'We can either change the way government delivers services, or we can continue with broken promises, drastic cuts, and rollercoaster spending,' says Alexander

Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia, released today his top ten ideas for improving Washington state's budget outlook over the next biennium and into the next decade.

"We have to look at doing some things differently," said Alexander. "We're still stuck using the same failed policies that led to a $9 billion budget shortfall last session and which will lead to another $9 billion – or more – shortfall in 2011. We can either change the way government delivers services, or we can continue with broken promises, drastic cuts, and rollercoaster spending.

=> Read more!

You have till Friday to file.

Pierce County Auditor Jan Shabro opened a special filing period today, July 29, for Bethel School Board director position number 3 and Fife School Board director position number 3.

Special filing periods are held when no candidates file during the regular filing period or if candidates later withdraw. In the Bethel and Fife cases, each race had only one candidate and that person withdrew.

This will be the third special filing period for the regular filing period held the first week of June.

It’s routine to have one special filing period for races that draw no candidates. However, Pierce County elections manager Lori Augino said this is the first time in 15 years she can recall a third one.

"You always have (them in) water districts. Rarely (a second one) happens in an even year," Augino said. "In an odd year, I’ve never seen two."

In the second filing period, June 24 to 26, a candidate for Orting City Council position 7 withdrew and a candidate for Fire District no. 10, in the Fife area, died, Shabro said.

To file, prospective candidates should go to the Pierce County Elections Center, 2501 S. 35th St., Suite C, in Tacoma, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today or Friday.

For more information, check the individual school district’s requirements for election and call the auditor’s office at 253-798-VOTE.

This is the lawsuit in which a bunch of school districts are claiming that the state is not performing its "paramount duty" to fully fund basic education. It's what one staffer called "the really big, giant lawsuit."

It is the 3rd round in a series of similar lawsuits. So far, the Legislature seems to have won the opening rounds. Well, sorta. The Supremes have said the Legislature gets to define exactly what "basic" education is, but once it has that definition, it must fully fund it.

It's a lot easier to follow the rules if you get to set the rules, too.

Aug. 31 is the start date for this round of court action. Trial is expected to last 3 weeks.

Got this news release today from Network for Excellence in Washington Schools:

The public school finance lawsuit brought against the state by a coalition of school districts, statewide and local civic organizations, and education associations goes to trial on Aug. 31 in King County Superior Court. We are lining up advance one-on-one interviews/briefings for political and/or education reporters with Mike Blair, president of the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS), either by telephone the week of August 10 or in person between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the offices of Foster Pepper law firm at 1111 3rd Ave., Suite 3400, in downtown Seattle. Let me know if you’d like to arrange an interview.

Here is a link to the plaintiff's friends' page (NEWS).

Needless to say, whatever happens at the Superior Court level is bound to be appealed by the losing side all the way to the state Supreme Court. So, we're nowhere near a final resolution. Not sure there is a final resolution here.

It will be a three-week trial.

At least not yet.

At an informal briefing Monday with statehouse reporters, Gov. Chris Gregoire said Washington state does not appear to be in line for so-called Race to the Top money from the federal government.

"If you want to be eligible for Race to the Top you have to meet the criteria and I'm not sure we meet the criteria," Gregoire said.

The special pot of stimulus funds – up to $4.5 billion – will go to states that take steps to reform their education systems. Federal Education Secretary Arne Duncan wants states to set high standards and having testing in place to measure them, improve low-performing schools, make sure each classroom has a good teacher and have data-collection systems in place to track student performance.

Seems simple. But each touches on issues that have been battlegrounds between teachers unions and reformers. Improving low-performing schools might lead to changing staff. Assuring quality teachers in each classroom might involve firing low-quality teachers, evaluating teacher performance and offering merit pay to reward the best teachers.

Even collecting data has been opposed by some union leaders because they fear it will be used to punish teachers who have students that fail.

Duncan also thinks states should have some charter schools – public schools that operate independently of most state and local controls. Washington in one of a handful of states that ban charter schools.

Gregoire said Washington might be in line for the second round of funding next year. But that would require changes to be passed during the 2010 legislative session.

"We'll know more when they come out with the criteria," Gregoire said, something she expects in the fall.

The Tacoma School Board decided to extend Superintendent Art Jarvis’ contract by one-year Thursday, two days after giving him a positive annual review.

But the superintendent declined a salary increase, following the lead of other public officials who have declined raises during this year’s economic downturn.

Jarvis noted that Tacoma principals had forgone salary increases earlier in the year out of concern for the district's tight budget, and said he’d like to do the same.

"It would be in all fairness to the other employees that have agreed to help us out," Jarvis said. "I would not like to violate that."

Board members completed their evaluation of Jarvis' first year as superintendent Tuesday, noting he met or exceeded expectations in all areas and excelled at budgetary matters.

They subsequently reviewed his contract at Thursday’s board meeting.
Jarvis said the district is making budget cuts wherever possible to avoid laying off staff. School districts throughout the state have turned to staff reductions to cope with state budget cuts.

Board President Kim Golding said she thought it was appropriate that Jarvis not receive a raise this year given the district’s budget.
“I think it was nice we were able to extend his contract, because that means something to him,” Golding said.

Many head honchos of municipal and other public agencies have turned down salary increases in recent months, citing financial concerns during a bad economy.

Tacoma City Manager Eric Anderson turned down a 14.5 percent raise in March.

University of Washington President Mark Emmert did the same last November, just months before the University announced it would be cutting 600 to 800 staff positions.

Jarvis said that’s what the school district is trying to avoid.

“We’re all struggling not to lay off staff,” Jarvis said. “Ultimately the goal is to save as much as possible.”

Vitamin E (for Education) is a term coined by state Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor. He said it refers to the "next step" in education, beyond House Bill 2261, the ed reform measure that passed this session.

Seaquist said he voted against HB 2261 -- not because he opposed it but because it didn't go far enough. He said he brought together a groups of teachers, parents, union folks, special ed workers, etc. a few weeks ago in Bremerton and has more meetings planned over the legislative interim.

Anyway, the 26th Legislative District Democrats have a slew of folks on tap for their July 7 meeting.

The 26 Legislative District Democrats are pleased to announce their upcoming General Meeting Tuesday July 7th at 7 PM. The location is Givens Community Center, Kitsap Room, 1026 Sidney Ave. Port Orchard WA. 98366. The outstanding lineup of speakers including Andrew Morrison potential Candidate for 26th Representative running against Jan Angel, Julie Anderson candidate Pierce County Auditor, Fred Chang for Port Orchard City Council, , Representative Larry Seaquist on Vitamin E (bill to restructure education in Washington State), and Rodger Zabinski candidate for the Port of Bremerton.

The meeting is free and the general public is welcome. For more information call Chairman Mark Brown at 360-895-6033.

Sincerely,
Mark Brown
26th LD Democratic Chair

This program doesn't get a lot of attention, so when I got the news release from the Higher Education Coordinating Board I figured I'd shine a light on it in the blog. Some 22,000 kids have signed up so far.

The College Bound program tries to get low-income students to take a pledge that they will work hard in school, stay out of trouble and after they graduate from high school they will enroll in a college, university or trade school. If they do all that and are still low-income, the state will give them what amounts to a free ride, kinda like what top athletes get.

June 30 is the deadline to sign up.

College Bound Scholarship signups surge as June 30 deadline nears

OLYMPIA – Low-income middle school students are signing up by the thousands to take advantage of the College Bound Scholarship program before a June 30 deadline passes for eighth and ninth graders to maintain eligibility for the program.

=> Read more!

This week's oral arguments in Federal Way School District v. State of Washington were about one issue – whether the fact that some districts get more state money than other districts is constitutional.

But just below the surface was a bigger issue – whether the state is meeting its constitutional duty to make "ample provision for the education of all children." Lower courts said this case isn't about adequacy, just fair distribution. But the lawyers last week kept coming back to whether districts get enough to do the job.

Here are the briefs in the case. (Put case number 80943-7 in the search window)

TVW has video of the arguments here.

I take a look at the oral arguments and the underlying issues – both legal and political – in my column Sunday.