Proposes constitutional amendment to divide State into 8 local school board districts, with board members to be elected by voters within the district. Makes existing board of education an appointed board, with members appointed by the governor from the local school boards.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to propose an amendment to article X, section 2, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to provide for more local input into the educational administration. Local school boards are needed to provide more local input to the educational process and should be elected by and accountable to their communities. On the other hand, recent board of education elections have indicated that money is a primary factor in becoming elected in these statewide elections. If the board of education was made an appointed board, with one member appointed from each of the local school boards by the governor, that would place on the board members who are truly known by and representative of their communities, not merely those with the most funding. This would increase the accountability of the board of education.

SECTION 2. Article X, section 2 of the state constitution is amended to read as follows:

"BOARD OF EDUCATION

Section 2. There shall be a state board of education composed of eight members who shall be [elected in a nonpartisan manner by qualified voters, as provided by law, from two at-large school board districts. The first school board district shall be comprised of the island of Oahu and all other islands not specifically enumerated. The second school board district shall be comprised of the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Kauai and Niihau. Each at-large school board district shall be divided into departmental school districts, as may be provided by law. There shall be at least one member residing in each departmental school district.] appointed by the governor, one member being from each of the eight local school boards. There shall be eight school districts as follows: Windward Hawaii, Leeward Hawaii, Maui, Honolulu, Central Oahu, Leeward Oahu, Windward Oahu, and Kauai. The boundaries of each school district shall be as provided by law. Each school district shall have a local school board consisting of three members. The members of the local school boards shall be elected in a nonpartisan manner by qualified voters in their respective districts as provided by law. The local school boards shall advise the state board of education. The Hawaii State Student Council shall select a public high school student to serve as a nonvoting member on the board of education."

SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:

SECTION 4. Constitutional material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New constitutional material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.