BATTLE GROUND — Sen. Adrian Cortes (D-Battle Ground) has drafted two bills aimed at improving requirements for school district leadership and promoting safe learning environments for students. The legislation would increase certification qualifications for public school administrators and require them to submit annual declarations about whether they have received reports of student abuse by staff.  

The first bill would establish certification requirements for superintendents to ensure they have training in teaching and are prepared to lead school districts. Beginning July 1, 2029, school district and Educational Service District (ESD) superintendents, assistant superintendents, and deputy superintendents would be required to hold a superintendent administrator certificate or conditional certificate. Candidates for administrator certificates would also need to complete specific coursework, including enhanced school finance training, hold — or have previously held — a valid teaching certificate or comparable out-of-state certificate for at least three years, and satisfy other requirements.  

 “Right now, you can become a superintendent, assistant superintendent, special education director, or other district-level administrator who oversees teachers and programming in Washington state without having ever set foot in a classroom,” Cortes said. “We need to set higher standards for the people we trust to run our schools, including requiring classroom experience, certification, and education in school finance. At a time when more schools are in binding condition than ever before, it’s critical our district-level administrators understand school finances.” 

Cortes has also drafted legislation to increase transparency in public schools and help protect students from abuse and neglect. The bill would require public school superintendents and human resources directors to submit an annual declaration to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), under penalty of perjury, stating whether they are aware of student misconduct involving a school employee. They would be required to attest that they:  

  • Are unaware of abuse or neglect by a school employee or contractor;  
  • Have not received reports of physical or sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or assault involving a school employee or contractor; and  
  • Are unaware of specified forms of sexual misconduct between a school employee and a student.  

If they are aware of such conduct, they would be required to attest that they reported it to law enforcement.  

“We must establish stricter enforcement against the concealment of misconduct in our schools,” Cortes said. “This legislation can help us keep our students safe by requiring transparency at the highest levels of school leadership and establishing consequences for failing to report abuse.”  

Cortes expects to file the two bills when prefiling opens Dec. 7.  

###