Proposes a constitutional amendment that provides for the elimination of the constitutional provision for a statewide board of education, and providing for eight local boards elected by the people.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE X, SECTIONS 2 AND 3 OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUION RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATON.

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to propose an amendment to Article X, section 2 and 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to provide for the elimination of the constitutional provisions for the current statewide board of education, and to provide for eight local boards elected by the people.

SECTION 2. Article X, section 2, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:

"[BOARD] DISTRICT BOARDS OF EDUCATION

Section 2. There shall be [a board] eight district boards of education composed of members who shall be elected in a nonpartisan manner by qualified voters, as provided by law, from [two at-large] eight local school board districts. The first school board district shall be comprised of the area in and around Hilo on 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.] Hawaii. The second school board district shall be comprised of the area in and around Kona on the island of Hawaii. The third school board district shall be comprised of the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe. The fourth school board district shall be comprised of the islands of Kauai and Niihau. The island of Oahu shall have four districts, districts five through eight, as follows: that portion of the island comprised of Honolulu; that portion of the island comprised of Central Oahu; that portion of the island comprised of Leeward Oahu; and that portion of the island comprised of Windward Oahu. The Hawaii State Student Council shall select a public high school student to serve as a nonvoting member on [the] each board of education."

SECTION 3. Article 10, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:

"POWER OF THE [BOARD] DISTRICT BOARDS OF EDUCATION

Section 3. The [board] eight district boards of education shall each have the power, as provided by law, to formulate [statewide] district wide educational policy, exercise control over budgetary and personnel matters, and appoint [the superintendent] a director of education as the chief executive officer of [the public school system.] each respective school board district."

SECTION 4. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:

SECTION 5. Constitutional material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New constitutional material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.