Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2205 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide additional compensation to persons holding an advanced degree of a master or doctoral, in a field related to teaching, public education, or responsibilities of an educational officer.

Your Committee finds that the present salary schedule for educational officers, unlike the salary schedule for teachers, does not take into consideration advanced degrees earned. Your Committee notes that the estimated cost of providing this additional compensation for fiscal year 2002-2003 is $900,000.

Your Committee finds that this measure will encourage professional growth and improve the quality of leadership in the State's public schools. Your Committee also notes that the Department of Education faces a critical principal shortage. Accordingly, your Committee further finds that this measure will assist the Department in recruiting and retaining qualified school principals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2205 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.