RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the issue of teacher pay is always a priority in collective bargaining negotiations; and

WHEREAS, it is generally perceived that Hawaii public school teacher salaries are inadequate and among the lowest in the nation; and

WHEREAS, teacher salaries are perceived as being inadequate in terms of providing a satisfactory quality of life in Hawaii's high cost of living economy; and

WHEREAS, it is generally perceived that the retirement, medical, and insurance benefits of Hawaii public school teachers is considered to be among the best in the nation, by virtue of their status as employees of the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, when converted to dollar amounts, the total package of salary and benefits for Hawaii public school teachers may be perceived as substantial and lucrative, although cost-of-living differences are often not considered in making comparative assessments between jurisdictions; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Office of the Auditor is requested to review and evaluate the total annual compensation package of Hawaii public school teachers, based upon published information that is widely distributed within the State and outside the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is specifically requested to determine the total annual salary and benefits, in dollar amounts, of an entry level full-time teacher holding a bachelor degree, a teacher holding a bachelor's degree with two to ten years of service, and a teacher holding a bachelor's degree with ten to fifteen years or more years of service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in determining the total annual salary and benefits, in dollar amounts, the Auditor is requested to include paid days of sick leave, personal leave, vacation leave, holidays, health and retirement benefits, among other relevant factors, such as cost-of-living between jurisdictions used for comparative purposes, differentials for teachers holding advanced degrees and other professional certifications such as master teachers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor shall exclude from the study one-time differentials and one-time awards, grants, and gifts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit to the Legislature a report of findings and recommendations no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor, the Governor, the Chief Negotiator of the Office of Collective Bargaining, the Superintendent of Education, the Chairperson of the Board of Education, and the President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

REPORT TITLE:

Public School Teachers; Annual Compensation Package Study