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. 2233 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to continue the development and implementation of the parent-community networking centers in Hawaii's public schools.

The parent-community networking center system of support for students, parents, and teachers, was initially funded by Act 262, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001. In Act 262, the Legislature found that research showed "the critical need for an integrated, comprehensive system of family support, parent education, teacher-parent partnerships, and volunteer and resource development at the neighborhood/school and classroom/family levels". The parent-community networking center system was to be comprised of phases I to IV. However, at this time, all four phases have not yet been implemented.

Your Committee finds that the parent-community networking center system plays an important part in improving Hawaii's system of public education. This Committee is committed to the continued support of the parent-community networking center system.

Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting the appropriation amounts in order to encourage further discussion.

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. 2233, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2233, S.D. 1.