Committee hears bill expanding ESD oversight, mandatory finance training and penalties for school budget violations

The House Education Committee heard testimony on engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6,247 on matters the bill says are intended to strengthen school district financial management, improve early intervention and require new training and hiring disclosures.

Ethan Moreno, nonpartisan staff to the committee, told members the bill has four principal components: increased ESD budget review and intervention duties for districts showing signs of distress; a requirement that the Washington State School Directors Association develop and provide finance training by Jan. 1, 2028; enhanced penalties and state reimbursement provisions for willful violations of expenditure limits; and obligations for districts to obtain disclosure authorizations from applicants for budget and accounting roles. Moreno said ESDs must provide support, including mid‑year action plans and attendance at school board meetings when budget information is on the…