Requires coaches within the DOE to be paid on a salary basis. Requires coaches to be included in collective bargaining. Appropriates funds to increase the base salaries of coaches by one hundred per cent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that department of education (DOE) coaches are currently not affiliated with a collective bargaining unit, and are compensated on a stipend basis. These stipends have remained static for a decade, and are now set at approximately fifty per cent of national standards for school coaches. Whereas many coaches used to be certified teachers within the DOE, the numbers of teachers that choose to coach have dwindled, as many choose to become driver education teachers, or other positions whose salaries increase in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations.

To ensure that coaches are compensated adequately, two things must take place. First, coaches' salaries must increase regularly and equitably, relative to increases awarded to other educational employees. Secondly, coaches must receive an immediate increase in their current base compensation to raise their salaries to a level consistent with national standards.

The purpose of this Act is to ensure that coaches within the department of education are compensated equitably, and receive salary raises on a consistent basis by raising their base salaries and tying their salaries to collective bargaining.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A- Salaries of coaches. Coaches shall be paid a salary in the same manner as other teachers under sections

302A-624 and 302A-630. Increases in their salaries shall be made through collective bargaining in the same manner as driver education instructors."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 to increase the current base compensation of all department of education coaches by one hundred per cent.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.