WHEREAS, section 302A-1148, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), mandates that school facilities be made available for public and community uses as long as such uses do not interfere with normal school activities; and

WHEREAS, section 302A-1148, HRS, also provides for the Department of Education (department) to assess and collect fees and charges from users of school facilities which are deposited into a separate fund managed by the department; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has adopted a policy in support of this state law; and

WHEREAS, the department has adopted administrative rules to effectuate this state law and Board policy; and

WHEREAS, the department's rules provide three categories of users that may apply for use of school facilities; and

WHEREAS, the department's rules also allow for waiver of the fees for certain types of users if they are public agencies or organizations; and

WHEREAS, despite these laws and rules, many community-based organizations are not afforded access to school facilities or are unaware of the availability of school facilities for certain activities; and

WHEREAS, the administrative rules do not provide guidance regarding which users should be given priority over other users; and

WHEREAS, further involvement by community organizations with schools in their district would bring additional interest and assistance to the schools in the maintenance of school facilities; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the Board of Education is requested to develop a statewide facility use policy and priority matrix to guide the schools and districts in approving and encouraging the use of school facilities by community-based organizations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education's policy include guidance to provide that as business and community partnerships expand within a school community, the use of school facilities should also expand; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education's policy encourage the use of school facilities by community organizations, particularly non-profits, to provide more opportunities for students and the community to participate in community activities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education is requested to prepare a report of findings, including a revised use policy and matrix, to be submitted to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2004 regular session; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.

Report Title:

BOE School Facilities Use Policy and Priority Matrix