reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.010 - Superintendent of public instruction authorized to receive and disburse federal funds.

RCW 28A.235.010
Superintendent of public instruction authorized to receive and disburse federal funds.
The superintendent of public instruction is hereby authorized to receive and disburse federal funds made available by acts of congress for the assistance of private nonprofit organizations in providing food services to children and adults according to the provisions of 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1751 et seq., the national school lunch act as amended, and 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1771, et seq., the child nutrition act of 1966, as amended.
[ 1987 c 193 § 1. Formerly RCW 28A.29.010.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.020 - Payment of costs—Federal food services revolving fund—Disbursements.

RCW 28A.235.020
Payment of costs—Federal food services revolving fund—Disbursements.
All reasonably ascertainable costs of performing the duties assumed and performed under RCW 28A.235.010 through 28A.235.030 and * 28A.235.140 by either the superintendent of public instruction or another state or local governmental entity in support of the superintendent of public instruction's duties under RCW 28A.235.010 through 28A.235.030 and * 28A.235.140 shall be paid exclusively with federal funds and, if any, private gifts and grants. The federal food services revolving fund is hereby established in the custody of the state treasurer. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall deposit in the fund federal funds received under RCW 28A.235.010, recoveries of such funds, and gifts or grants made to the revolving fund. Disbursements from the fund shall be on authorization of the superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee. The fund is subject to the allotment procedure provided under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for disbursements. The superintendent of public instruction is authorized to expend from the federal food services revolving fund such funds as are necessary to implement RCW 28A.235.010 through 28A.235.030 and * 28A.235.140.
[ 1990 c 33 § 242; 1987 c 193 § 2. Formerly RCW 28A.29.020.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 28A.235.140 was repealed by 2023 c 379 § 9.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.030 - Rules.

RCW 28A.235.030
Rules.
The superintendent shall have the power to promulgate such rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW as are necessary to implement this chapter.
[ 1987 c 193 § 3. Formerly RCW 28A.29.030.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.036 - Condensed compliance reports—Second-class districts.

RCW 28A.235.036
Condensed compliance reports—Second-class districts.
Any compliance reporting requirements as a result of laws in this chapter that apply to second-class districts may be submitted in accordance with RCW 28A.330.250.
[ 2011 c 45 § 17.]
NOTES:
Conflict with federal requirements—2011 c 45: See note following RCW 28A.330.250.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.040 - Acquisition authorized.

RCW 28A.235.040
Acquisition authorized.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or chapter 39.32 RCW, the state superintendent of public instruction is hereby authorized to purchase, or otherwise acquire from the government of the United States or any property or commodity disposal agency thereof, surplus or donated food commodities for the use by any school district for their hot lunch program.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.30.010. Prior: 1967 ex.s. c 92 § 1. Formerly RCW 28A.30.010, 28.30.010.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.050 - Contracts for—Other law applicable to.

RCW 28A.235.050
Contracts for—Other law applicable to.
The state superintendent of public instruction is hereby authorized to enter into any contract with the United States of America, or any agency thereof, for the purchase of any surplus or donated food commodities, without regard to the provisions of any other law requiring the advertising, giving notice, inviting or receiving bids, or which may require the delivery of purchases before payment.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.30.020. Prior: 1967 ex.s. c 92 § 7. Formerly RCW 28A.30.020, 28.30.020.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.060 - Advancement of costs from revolving fund moneys—Reimbursement by school district to include transaction expense.

RCW 28A.235.060
Advancement of costs from revolving fund moneys—Reimbursement by school district to include transaction expense.
In purchasing or otherwise acquiring surplus or donated commodities on the requisition of a school district the superintendent may advance the purchase price and other cost of acquisition thereof from the surplus and donated food commodities revolving fund and the superintendent shall in due course bill the proper school district for the amount paid by him or her for the commodities plus a reasonable amount to cover the expenses incurred by the superintendent's office in connection with the transaction. All payments received for surplus or donated commodities from school districts shall be deposited by the superintendent in the surplus and donated food commodities revolving fund.
[ 1990 c 33 § 243; 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.30.030. Prior: 1967 ex.s. c 92 § 4. Formerly RCW 28A.30.030, 28.30.030.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.070 - Revolving fund created.

RCW 28A.235.070
Revolving fund created.
There is created in the office of the state superintendent of public instruction a revolving fund to be designated the surplus and donated food commodities revolving fund.
[ 1985 c 341 § 10; 1979 ex.s. c 20 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.30.040. Prior: 1967 ex.s. c 92 § 2. Formerly RCW 28A.30.040, 28.30.040.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.080 - Revolving fund—Administration of fund—Use—School district requisition as prerequisite.

RCW 28A.235.080
Revolving fund—Administration of fund—Use—School district requisition as prerequisite.
The surplus and donated food commodities revolving fund shall be administered by the state superintendent of public instruction and be used solely for the purchase or other acquisition, including transportation, storage and other cost, of surplus or donable food commodities from the federal government. The superintendent may purchase or otherwise acquire such commodities only after requisition by a school district requesting such commodities.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.30.050. Prior: 1967 ex.s. c 92 § 3. Formerly RCW 28A.30.050, 28.30.050.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.090 - Revolving fund—Depositories for fund, bond or security for—Manner of payments from fund.

RCW 28A.235.090
Revolving fund—Depositories for fund, bond or security for—Manner of payments from fund.
The surplus and donated food commodities revolving fund shall be deposited by the superintendent in such banks as he or she may select, but any such depository shall furnish a surety bond executed by a surety company or companies authorized to do business in the state of Washington, or collateral eligible as security for deposit of state funds, in at least the full amount of the deposit in each depository bank. Moneys shall be paid from the surplus and donated food commodities revolving fund by voucher and check in such form and in such manner as shall be prescribed by the superintendent.
[ 1990 c 33 § 244; 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.30.060. Prior: 1967 ex.s. c 92 § 5. Formerly RCW 28A.30.060, 28.30.060.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.100 - Rules.

RCW 28A.235.100
Rules.
The superintendent of public instruction shall have power to adopt rules as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
[ 1993 c 333 § 5; 1990 c 33 § 245; 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.30.070. Prior: 1967 ex.s. c 92 § 6. Formerly RCW 28A.30.070, 28.30.070.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.110 - Suspension of laws, rules, inconsistent herewith.

RCW 28A.235.110
Suspension of laws, rules, inconsistent herewith.
Any provision of law, or any resolution, rule or regulation which is inconsistent with the provisions of RCW 28A.235.040 through 28A.235.110 is suspended to the extent such provision is inconsistent herewith.
[ 1990 c 33 § 246; 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.30.080. Prior: 1967 ex.s. c 92 § 8. Formerly RCW 28A.30.080, 28.30.080.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.120 - Meal programs—Establishment and operation—Personnel—Agreements.

RCW 28A.235.120
Meal programs—Establishment and operation—Personnel—Agreements.
The directors of any school district may establish, equip and operate meal programs in school buildings for pupils; certificated and classified employees; volunteers; public agencies, political subdivisions, or associations that serve public entities while using school facilities; other local, state, or federal child nutrition programs; and for school or employee functions: PROVIDED, That the expenditures for food supplies shall not exceed the estimated revenues from the sale of meals, federal aid, Indian education fund lunch aid, or other anticipated revenue, including donations, to be received for that purpose: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the directors of any school district may provide for the use of kitchens and lunchrooms or other facilities in school buildings to furnish meals to elderly persons at cost as provided in RCW 28A.623.020: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That the directors of any school district may provide for the use of kitchens and lunchrooms or other facilities in school buildings to furnish meals at cost as provided in RCW 28A.623.030 to children who are participating in educational or training or care programs or activities conducted by private, nonprofit organizations and entities and to students who are attending private elementary and secondary schools. Operation for the purposes of this section shall include the employment and discharge for sufficient cause of personnel necessary for preparation of food or supervision of students during lunch periods and fixing their compensation, payable from the district general fund, or entering into agreement with a private agency for the establishment, management and/or operation of a food service program or any part thereof.
[ 2002 c 36 § 1; 1997 c 13 § 4; 1990 c 33 § 247; 1979 ex.s. c 140 § 3; 1979 c 58 § 1; 1973 c 107 § 2; 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.58.136. Prior: (i) 1947 c 31 § 1; 1943 c 51 § 1; 1939 c 160 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 4706-1. Formerly RCW 28A.58.136, 28.58.260. (ii) 1943 c 51 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 4706-2. Formerly RCW 28.58.270.]
NOTES:
Severability—1979 ex.s. c 140: See note following RCW 28A.225.200.
Severability—1979 c 58: See note following RCW 28A.623.030.
Nonprofit meal program for elderly—Purpose: RCW 28A.623.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.130 - Milk for children at school expense.

RCW 28A.235.130
Milk for children at school expense.
The board of directors of any school district may cause to be furnished free of charge, in a suitable receptacle on each and every school day to such children in attendance desiring or in need of the same, not less than one-half pint of milk. The cost of supplying such milk shall be paid for in the same manner as other items of expense incurred in the conduct and operation of said school, except that available federal or state funds may be used therefor.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 223 § 28A.31.020. Prior: 1935 c 15 § 1; 1923 c 152 § 1; 1921 c 190 § 1; RRS § 4806. Formerly RCW 28A.31.020, 28.31.020.]
NOTES:
Food services—Use of federal funds: Chapter 28A.235 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.145 - School breakfast and lunch programs—Use of state funds.

RCW 28A.235.145
School breakfast and lunch programs—Use of state funds.
State funds received by school districts under this chapter for school breakfast and lunch programs shall be used to support the operating costs of the program, including labor, unless specific appropriations for nonoperating costs are provided.
[ 1993 c 333 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.150 - School breakfast and lunch programs—Grants to increase participation—Increased state support.

RCW 28A.235.150
School breakfast and lunch programs—Grants to increase participation—Increased state support.
(1)(a) To the extent funds are appropriated for this specific purpose, the superintendent of public instruction may award grants to school districts to:
(i) Increase awareness of and participation in school breakfast and lunch programs, including breakfast after the bell programs;
(ii) Improve program quality, including the nutritional content of program food and the promotion of nutritious food choices by students;
(iii) Promote innovative school-based programs, including but not limited to developing gardens that provide produce used in school breakfast or lunch programs; and
(iv) Improve the equipment and facilities used in the programs.
(b) If applicable, school districts shall demonstrate that they have applied for applicable federal funds before applying for funds under this subsection.
(2) To the extent funds are appropriated for this specific purpose, the superintendent of public instruction shall increase the state support for school breakfasts and lunches, including breakfast after the bell programs.
(3) As used in this section, "breakfast after the bell" has the definition in RCW 28A.235.200.
[ 2018 c 8 § 7; 1993 c 333 § 3.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—Short title—2018 c 8: See notes following RCW 28A.235.210.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.155 - Federal summer food service program—Administration of funds—Grants.

RCW 28A.235.155
Federal summer food service program—Administration of funds—Grants.
(1) The superintendent of public instruction shall administer funds for the federal summer food service program.
(2) The superintendent of public instruction may award grants, to the extent funds are appropriated, to eligible organizations to help start new summer food service programs for children or to help expand summer food services for children.
[ 1993 c 333 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.175 - Washington produced food.

RCW 28A.235.175
Washington produced food.
Public schools, as defined in RCW 28A.150.010, providing school meals to students are encouraged to buy Washington produced food whenever practicable and cost is comparable to non-Washington produced food.
[ 2023 c 379 § 3.]
NOTES:
Intent—2023 c 379: See note following RCW 28A.235.135.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.200 - Breakfast after the bell program—Definitions.

RCW 28A.235.200
Breakfast after the bell program—Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 28A.235.210 and 28A.235.220 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Breakfast after the bell" means a breakfast that is offered to students after the beginning of the school day. Examples of breakfast after the bell models include, but are not limited to:
(a) "Grab and go," where easy-to-eat breakfast foods are available for students to take at the start of the school day or in between morning classes;
(b) "Second chance breakfast," where breakfast foods are available during recess, a nutrition break, or later in the morning, for students who are not hungry first thing in the morning, or who arrive late to school; and
(c) "Breakfast in the classroom," where breakfast is served in the classroom, often during homeroom or first period.
(2) "Eligible for free or reduced-price meals" means a student who is eligible under the national school lunch program or school breakfast program to receive lunch or breakfast at no cost to the student or at a reduced cost to the student.
(3) "High-needs school" means any public school: (a) That has enrollment of seventy percent or more students eligible for free or reduced-price meals in the prior school year; or (b) that is using provision two of the national school lunch act or the community eligibility provision under section 104(a) of the federal healthy, hunger-free kids act of 2010 to provide universal meals and that has a claiming percentage for free or reduced-price meals of seventy percent or more.
(4) "Public school" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 28A.150.010.
(5) "School breakfast program" means a program meeting federal requirements under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1773.
(6) "School lunch program" means a program meeting federal requirements under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1751.
[ 2018 c 8 § 2.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—Short title—2018 c 8: See notes following RCW 28A.235.210.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.220 - Breakfast after the bell program—Guidelines and training.

RCW 28A.235.220
Breakfast after the bell program—Guidelines and training. (Expires June 30, 2028.)
(1) Before January 2, 2019, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop and distribute procedures and guidelines for the implementation of RCW 28A.235.210 that comply with federal regulations governing the school breakfast program. The guidelines and procedures must include ways schools and districts can solicit and consider the input of families regarding implementation and continued operation of breakfast after the bell programs. The guidelines and procedures must also include recommendations and best practices for designing, implementing, and operating breakfast after the bell programs that are based upon the implementation and operational experiences of schools of differing sizes and in different geographic regions of the state that have implemented breakfast after the bell programs.
(2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall offer training and technical and marketing assistance to all public schools and school districts related to offering breakfast after the bell, including assistance with various funding options available to high-needs schools such as the community eligibility provision under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1759a(a)(1), programs under provision two of the national school lunch act, and claims for reimbursement under the school breakfast program.
(3) In accordance with this section, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall collaborate with nonprofit organizations knowledgeable about equity, the opportunity gap, hunger and food security issues, and best practices for improving student access to school breakfast. The office shall maintain a list of opportunities for philanthropic support of school breakfast programs and make the list available to schools interested in breakfast after the bell programs.
(4) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall incorporate the annual collection of information about breakfast after the bell delivery models into existing data systems and make the information publicly available.
[ 2018 c 8 § 4.]
NOTES:
Expiration date—2018 c 8 §§ 3, 4, and 6: See note following RCW 28A.235.210.
Findings—Intent—Short title—2018 c 8: See notes following RCW 28A.235.210.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.230 - Breakfast after the bell program—Funding for implementation.

RCW 28A.235.230
Breakfast after the bell program—Funding for implementation. (Expires June 30, 2028.)
The office of the superintendent of public instruction, school districts, and affected schools shall implement sections 2 through 4, chapter 8, Laws of 2018 only in years in which funding is specifically provided for the purposes of chapter 8, Laws of 2018, referencing chapter 8, Laws of 2018 by bill or chapter number or statutory references, in a biennial or supplemental operating budget.
[ 2018 c 8 § 6.]
NOTES:
Expiration date—2018 c 8 §§ 3, 4, and 6: See note following RCW 28A.235.210.
Findings—Intent—Short title—2018 c 8: See notes following RCW 28A.235.210.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.240 - Breakfast after the bell program—Analysis.

RCW 28A.235.240
Breakfast after the bell program—Analysis.
(1) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall conduct an analysis of breakfast after the bell programs established in schools in accordance with RCW 28A.235.210. The analysis of the schools establishing breakfast after the bell programs shall include a review of any changes in student:
(a) Tardiness and absenteeism;
(b) Suspensions;
(c) Reported illnesses and visits to nurses' offices;
(d) Results on standardized tests; and
(e) Graduation rates.
(2) The analysis shall also include a review of the outcomes of similar programs or efforts in other states.
(3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction and the education and research data center of the office of financial management shall assist in providing any data required to conduct the analysis. The analysis, including any findings and recommendations, must be completed and submitted to the superintendent of public instruction and, in accordance with RCW 43.01.036, the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate by December 1, 2026.
[ 2018 c 8 § 9.]
NOTES:
Short title—2018 c 8: See note following RCW 28A.235.210.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.250 - Free or reduced-price meals—Applications.

RCW 28A.235.250
Free or reduced-price meals—Applications.
(1)(a) Except as provided otherwise in subsection (2) of this section, each school that participates in the national school lunch program, the school breakfast program, or both, shall annually distribute and collect an application for all households of children in kindergarten through grade twelve to determine student eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. If a parent or guardian of a student needs assistance with application materials in a language other than English, the school shall offer appropriate assistance to the parent or guardian.
(b) If a student who, based on information available to the school, is likely eligible for free or reduced-price meals but has not submitted an application to determine eligibility, the school shall, in accordance with the authority granted under 7 C.F.R. Sec. 245.6(d), complete and submit the application for the student.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to a school that provides free meals to all students in a year in which the school does not collect applications to determine student eligibility for free or reduced-price meals.
[ 2018 c 271 § 1.]
NOTES:
Short title—2018 c 271: "This act may be known and cited as the hunger-free students' bill of rights act." [ 2018 c 271 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.260 - Free or reduced-price meals—Student assistance.

RCW 28A.235.260
Free or reduced-price meals—Student assistance.
If a student has not paid for five or more previous meals, the school shall:
(1) Determine whether the student is categorically eligible for free meals;
(2) If no application has been submitted for the student to determine his or her eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, make no fewer than two attempts to contact the student's parent or guardian to have him or her submit an application; and
(3) Have a principal, assistant principal, or school counselor contact the parent or guardian for the purpose of: (a) Offering assistance with completing an application to determine the student's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals; (b) determining whether there are any household issues that may prevent the student from having sufficient funds for school meals; and (c) offering any appropriate assistance.
[ 2018 c 271 § 3.]
NOTES:
Short title—2018 c 271: See note following RCW 28A.235.250.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.270 - Free or reduced-price meals—School prohibitions.

RCW 28A.235.270
Free or reduced-price meals—School prohibitions.
(1) No school or school district personnel or school volunteer may:
(a) Take any action that would publicly identify a student who cannot pay for a school meal or for meals previously served to the student, including but not limited to requiring the student to wear a wristband, hand stamp, or other identifying marker, or by serving the student an alternative meal;
(b) Require a student who cannot pay for a school meal or for meals previously served to the student to perform chores or other actions in exchange for a meal or for the reduction or elimination of a school meal debt, unless all students perform similar chores or work;
(c) Require a student to dispose of an already served meal because of the student's inability to pay for the meal or because of money owed for meals previously served to the student;
(d) Allow any disciplinary action that is taken against a student to result in the denial or delay of a nutritionally adequate meal to the student; or
(e) Require a parent or guardian to pay fees or costs in excess of the actual amounts owed for meals previously served to the student.
(2) Communications from a school or school district about amounts owed for meals previously served to a student under the age of fifteen may only be directed to the student's parent or guardian. Nothing in this subsection prohibits a school or school district from sending a student home with a notification that is addressed to the student's parent or guardian.
(3)(a) A school district shall notify a parent or guardian of the negative balance of a student's school meal account no later than ten days after the student's school meal account has reached a negative balance. Within thirty days of sending this notification, the school district shall exhaust all options to directly certify the student for free or reduced-price meals. Within these thirty days, while the school district is attempting to certify the student for free or reduced-price meals, the student may not be denied access to a school meal unless the school district determines that the student is ineligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(b) If the school district is unable to directly certify the student for free or reduced-price meals, the school district shall provide the parent or guardian with a paper copy of or an electronic link to an application for free or reduced-price meals with the notification required by (a) of this subsection and encourage the parent or guardian to submit the application.
[ 2018 c 271 § 4.]
NOTES:
Short title—2018 c 271: See note following RCW 28A.235.250.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.280 - Free school meals—Systems to identify students.

RCW 28A.235.280
Free school meals—Systems to identify students.
(1) Local liaisons for homeless children and youths designated by districts in accordance with the federal McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act 42 U.S.C. Sec. 11431 et seq. must improve systems to identify homeless students and coordinate with the applicable school nutrition program to ensure that each homeless student has proper access to free school meals and that applicable accountability and reporting requirements are satisfied.
(2) Schools and school districts shall improve systems to identify students in foster care, runaway students, and migrant students to ensure that each student has proper access to free school meals and that applicable accountability and reporting requirements are satisfied.
(3) At least monthly, schools and school districts shall directly certify students for free school meals if the students qualify because of enrollment in assistance programs, including but not limited to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, the temporary assistance for needy families, and medicaid.
[ 2018 c 271 § 2.]
NOTES:
Short title—2018 c 271: See note following RCW 28A.235.250.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.235 - Food Services. › 28A.235.300 - Department of agriculture community eligibility provision—Required participation—Exemption.

RCW 28A.235.300
Department of agriculture community eligibility provision—Required participation—Exemption.
(1)(a) Except as provided otherwise by this section, each public school that has an identified student percentage of at least 40 percent as determined annually by April 1st, must participate in the United States department of agriculture's community eligibility provision in the subsequent school year and throughout the duration of the community eligibility provision's four-year cycle.
(b) School districts, to the extent practicable, shall group public schools for purposes of maximizing the number of public schools eligible to participate in the community eligibility provision. Individual schools participating in a group may have less than 40 percent identified students, provided the average identified student percentage for the group is at least 40 percent.
(2) Public schools that, through an arrangement with a local entity, provide meals to all students and at no costs to the students are exempt from the requirements of this section.
(3) This section governs school operation and management under RCW 28A.710.040 and 28A.715.020, and applies to charter schools established under chapter 28A.710 RCW and state-tribal education compact schools established under chapter 28A.715 RCW to the same extent as it applies to public schools and school districts.
(4) For the purposes of this section, "identified student" means a student who is directly certified for free school meals based on the student's participation in other means-tested assistance programs, and students who are categorically eligible for free school meals without an application and not subject to income verification.
[ 2023 c 379 § 8; 2022 c 7 § 1; 2020 c 288 § 3.]
NOTES:
Intent—2023 c 379: See note following RCW 28A.235.135.
Effective date—2022 c 7: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 4, 2022]." [ 2022 c 7 § 3.]
Short title—2020 c 288: "This act may be known and cited as the hunger-free schools act." [ 2020 c 288 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.005 - Findings.

RCW 28A.245.005
Findings.
The legislature finds that student access to programs offered at skill centers can help prepare them for careers, apprenticeships, and postsecondary education. The legislature further finds that current limits on how school districts and skill centers report full-time equivalent students and the time students are served provide a disincentive for school districts to send their students to skill centers. The legislature further finds that there are barriers to providing access to students in rural and remote areas but that there are opportunities to do so with satellite and branch campus programs, distance and online learning programs, and collaboration with higher education, business, and labor. The legislature further finds that skill centers provide opportunities for dropout prevention and retrieval programs by offering programs that accommodate students' work schedules and provide credit retrieval opportunities. The legislature further finds that implementing the recommendations from the study by the workforce training and education coordinating board will enhance skill center programs and student access to those programs.
[ 2007 c 463 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.010 - Skill centers—Purpose—Operation.

RCW 28A.245.010
Skill centers—Purpose—Operation.
A skill center is a regional career and technical education partnership established to provide access to comprehensive industry-defined career and technical programs of study that prepare students for careers, employment, apprenticeships, and postsecondary education. A skill center is operated by a host school district and governed by an administrative council in accordance with a cooperative agreement.
[ 2007 c 463 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.030 - Revised guidelines for skill centers—Satellite and branch campus programs—Capital plan—Studies—Master plan—Rules.

RCW 28A.245.030
Revised guidelines for skill centers—Satellite and branch campus programs—Capital plan—Studies—Master plan—Rules.
(1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall review and revise the guidelines for skill centers to encourage skill center programs. The superintendent, in cooperation with the workforce training and education coordinating board, skill center directors, and the Washington association for career and technical education, shall review and revise the existing skill centers' policy guidelines and create and adopt rules governing skill centers as follows:
(a) The threshold enrollment at a skill center shall be revised so that a skill center program need not have a minimum of seventy percent of its students enrolled on the skill center core campus in order to facilitate serving rural students through expansion of skill center programs by means of satellite programs or branch campuses;
(b) The developmental planning for branch campuses shall be encouraged. Underserved rural areas or high-density areas may partner with an existing skill center to create satellite programs or a branch campus. Once a branch campus reaches sufficient enrollment to become self-sustaining, it may become a separate skill center or remain an extension of the founding skill center; and
(c) Satellite and branch campus programs shall be encouraged to address high-demand fields.
(2) Rules adopted under this section shall allow for innovative models of satellite and branch campus programs, and such programs shall not be limited to those housed in physical buildings.
(3) The superintendent of public instruction shall develop and deliver a ten-year capital plan for legislative review before implementation. The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules that set as a goal a ten percent minimum local project contribution threshold for major skill center projects, unless there is a compelling rationale not to do so, including but not limited to local economic conditions, as determined by the superintendent of public instruction. This applies to the acquisition or major capital costs of skill center projects as outlined in the ten-year capital plan.
(4) Subject to available funding, the superintendent shall:
(a) Conduct approved feasibility studies for serving noncooperative rural and high-density area students in their geographic areas; and
(b) Develop a statewide master plan that identifies standards and resources needed to create a technology infrastructure for connecting all skill centers to the K-20 network.
[ 2008 c 179 § 302; 2007 c 463 § 4.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2008 c 179: See RCW 28A.527.902.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.040 - Expanded access—Targeted populations—Evaluation.

RCW 28A.245.040
Expanded access—Targeted populations—Evaluation.
Subject to available funding, skill centers shall provide access to late afternoon and evening sessions and summer school programs, to rural and high-density area students aligned with regionally identified high-demand occupations. When possible, the programs shall be specifically targeted for credit retrieval, dropout prevention and intervention for at-risk students, and retrieval of dropouts. Skill centers that receive funding for these activities must participate in an evaluation that is designed to quantify results and identify best practices, collaborate with local community partners in providing a comprehensive program, and provide matching funds.
[ 2007 c 463 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.050 - Skill centers of excellence—Running start for career and technical education grant program—Career and technical programs of study.

RCW 28A.245.050
Skill centers of excellence—Running start for career and technical education grant program—Career and technical programs of study.
(1) The superintendent of public instruction shall establish and support skill centers of excellence in key economic sectors of regional significance. The superintendent shall broker the development of skill centers of excellence and identify their roles in developing curriculum and methodologies for reporting skill center course equivalencies for purposes of high school graduation.
(2) Once the skill centers of excellence are established, the superintendent of public instruction shall develop and seek funding for a running start for career and technical education grant program to develop and implement career and technical programs of study targeted to regionally determined high-demand occupations. Grant recipients should be partnerships of skill centers of excellence, community college centers of excellence, tech-prep programs, industry advisory committees, area workforce development councils, and skill panels in the related industry. Grant recipients should be expected to develop and assist in the replication of model career and technical education programs of study. The career and technical education programs of study developed should be consistent with the expectations in the applicable federal law.
[ 2007 c 463 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.060 - Director of skill centers.

RCW 28A.245.060
Director of skill centers.
To the extent funds are available, the superintendent of public instruction shall assign at least one full-time equivalent staff position within the office of the superintendent of public instruction to serve as the director of skill centers.
[ 2009 c 578 § 7; 2007 c 463 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.070 - High school diplomas—Agreements with cooperating school districts—High school completion programs.

RCW 28A.245.070
High school diplomas—Agreements with cooperating school districts—High school completion programs.
Skill centers may enter into agreements with one or more cooperating school districts to grant a high school diploma on behalf of the district so that students who are juniors and seniors have an opportunity to attend the skill center on a full-time basis without coenrollment at a district high school. To avoid competition with other high schools in the cooperating district, high school completion programs operated by skill centers shall be designed as dropout prevention and retrieval programs for at-risk and credit-deficient students or for fifth-year seniors. A skill center may use grant awards from the building bridges program under RCW 28A.175.025 to develop high school completion programs as provided in this section.
[ 2008 c 170 § 203.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2008 c 170: See RCW 28A.700.005.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.080 - Contracts with community or technical colleges—Courses leading to industry certificates or credentials for high school graduates.

RCW 28A.245.080
Contracts with community or technical colleges—Courses leading to industry certificates or credentials for high school graduates.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section and RCW 28B.50.532, a skill center may enter into an agreement with the community or technical college in which district the skill center is located to provide career and technical education courses necessary to complete an industry certificate or credential for students who have received a high school diploma.
(2) To qualify for enrollment under this section, a student must have been enrolled in the skill center before receiving the high school diploma and must remain continuously enrolled in the skill center. A student may enroll only in those courses necessary to complete the industry certificate or credential associated with the student's career and technical program.
(3) Students enrolled in a skill center under this section shall be considered community and technical college students for purposes of enrollment reporting, tuition, and financial aid. The skill center shall maintain enrollment data for students enrolled under this section separately from data on secondary school enrollment.
[ 2008 c 170 § 304.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2008 c 170: See RCW 28A.700.005.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.090 - Contracts with community colleges—Enrollment lid—Fees.

RCW 28A.245.090
Contracts with community colleges—Enrollment lid—Fees.
The community colleges are encouraged to contract with skill centers to use the skill center facilities. The community colleges shall not be required to count the enrollments under these agreements toward the community college enrollment lid. Skill centers may charge fees to adult students under RCW 28A.225.220.
[ 1993 c 380 § 3. Formerly RCW 28C.22.020.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.100 - Minor repair and maintenance capital accounts.

RCW 28A.245.100
Minor repair and maintenance capital accounts.
A host district of a cooperative skill center must maintain a separate minor repair and maintenance capital account for facilities constructed or renovated with state funding. Participating school districts must make annual deposits into the account to pay for future minor repair and maintenance costs of those facilities. The host district has authority to collect those deposits by charging participating districts an annual per-pupil facility fee.
[ 2017 c 187 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.245 - Skill Centers. › 28A.245.110 - Equivalency courses recognition, distribution, and access.

RCW 28A.245.110
Equivalency courses recognition, distribution, and access.
(1) An interdistrict cooperative agreement between all participating school districts in a skill center under RCW 28A.245.010 must stipulate that any approved state and local equivalency courses offered by the host school district must be honored as equivalency courses by all school districts participating in the skill center.
(2) The list of approved local and state equivalency courses of the host school district must be provided by the host district to participating districts on an annual basis by September 1st.
(3) Students served at any core, branch, or satellite skill center campus must have access to academic credit for any approved local or state equivalency courses offered at those sites and in accordance with transcription requirements in RCW 28A.230.097.
[ 2023 c 407 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.250 - Online Learning. › 28A.250.005 - Findings—Intent.

RCW 28A.250.005
Findings—Intent.
(1) The legislature finds that online learning provides tremendous opportunities for students to access curriculum, courses, and a unique learning environment that might not otherwise be available. The legislature supports and encourages online learning opportunities.
(2) However, the legislature also finds that there is a need to assure quality in online learning, both for the programs and the administration of those programs. The legislature is the steward of public funds that support students enrolled in online learning and must ensure an appropriate accountability system at the state level.
(3) Therefore, the legislature intends to take a first step in improving oversight and quality assurance of online learning programs, and intends to examine possible additional steps that may need to be taken to improve financial accountability.
(4) The first step in improving quality assurance is to:
(a) Provide objective information to students, parents, and educators regarding available online learning opportunities, including program and course content, how to register for programs and courses, teacher qualifications, student-to-teacher ratios, prior course completion rates, and other evaluative information;
(b) Create an approval process for online providers;
(c) Enhance statewide equity of student access to high quality online learning opportunities; and
(d) Require school district boards of directors to develop policies and procedures for student access to online learning opportunities.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 34 § 4; 2009 c 542 § 1.]
NOTES:
Finding—Intent—2011 1st sp.s. c 34: See RCW 28A.232.005.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 28A - Common School Provisions › Chapter 28A.250 - Online Learning. › 28A.250.030 - Office of online learning—Duties.

RCW 28A.250.030
Office of online learning—Duties.
The superintendent of public instruction shall create an office of online learning. In the initial establishment of the office, the superintendent shall hire staff who have been employed by the digital learning commons to the extent such hiring is in accordance with state law and to the extent funds are available. The office shall:
(1) Develop and maintain a website that provides objective information for students, parents, and educators regarding online learning opportunities offered by online providers that have been approved in accordance with RCW 28A.250.020. The website shall include information regarding the online course provider's overall instructional program, specific information regarding the content of individual online courses and online school programs, a direct link to each online course provider's website, how to register for online learning programs and courses, teacher qualifications, student-to-teacher ratios, course completion rates, and other evaluative and comparative information. The website shall also provide information regarding the process and criteria for approving online providers. To the greatest extent possible, the superintendent shall use the framework of the course offering component of the website developed by the digital learning commons;
(2) Develop model agreements with approved online providers that address standard contract terms and conditions that may apply to contracts between a school district and the approved provider. The purpose of the agreements is to provide a template to assist individual school districts, at the discretion of the district, in contracting with online providers to offer the online provider's courses and programs to students in the district. The agreements may address billing, fees, responsibilities of online course providers and school districts, and other issues; and
(3) In collaboration with the educational service districts:
(a) Provide technical assistance and support to school district personnel through the educational technology centers in the development and implementation of online learning programs in their districts; and
(b) To the extent funds are available, provide online learning tools for students, teachers, administrators, and other educators.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 34 § 7; 2009 c 542 § 4.]
NOTES:
Finding—Intent—2011 1st sp.s. c 34: See RCW 28A.232.005.