Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 350 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to: authorize public schools to participate in partnerships with private businesses or community organizations; and to establish a statewide community partnerships coordinating council within the department of education.

Your Committee finds that our public schools are being asked to "do more, with less" due to continuing fiscal challenges within our State. Your Committee further finds that in discussions with private business owners, many agree that they share in the responsibility for supporting our public schools, but not if their contributions are used to supplant rather than supplement state financial support. Thus, your Committee agrees that this measure is necessary to provide a clear assurance to private business partners that their contributions will be valued and that government support will not be diminished by their contributions. Your Committee further believes that a coordinating council will assist in leveraging limited state resources with private and community resources, and acknowledges the commitment of the Department of Education to continue to dedicate resources to this effort.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Hawaii Parent Teacher Student Association, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. Testimony in support of the intent of this measure was submitted by the Department of Education. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Department of Budget and Finance.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 350 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.