Bill would let charter contracts include exemptions from basic education requirements, sponsors say it’s a technical fix

The Early Learning & K–12 Education Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5,418, which would permit charter public school contracts to include exemptions from one or more basic education requirements and direct an authorizer to consult the State Board of Education on provisions related to the board’s duties.

Committee staff explained that charter schools operate under renewable five‑year contracts that set roles, responsibilities and performance expectations and that charter schools otherwise remain subject to OSPI and State Board of Education supervision to the extent required by law. Proponents described the bill as a technical fix to enable charter public schools to access the same types of basic education waivers available to other public schools, allowing charter models greater flexibility in areas such as school days, internships or alternative schedules.

Barbara Gilchrist of the Washington State Charter Schools Association, Dan Eflin (executive director, Summit Atlas charter public school), and Marcus Harden (executive director, Washington State Charter School Commission) testified in support, saying lack of waiver access had forced some charter schools to alter program models or ask teachers to absorb additional duties. Witnesses said the change would not alter charter schools’ public status, certification requirements, or civil‑rights obligations; they described the measure as aligning charter school contract authority with prior fixes made for tribal compact schools.

No committee vote was recorded at the hearing; witnesses and staff said a fiscal note reflected no state fiscal impact for the bill as drafted.