Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3020 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure that public schools that are on a multi-track schedule and are located in communities with high population growth continue to maintain quality education.

Specifically, this measure appropriates funds for staffing and facilities needed to ensure that quality education is maintained at multi-track schools.

Your Committee finds that multi-track scheduling means one-fourth of the school enrollment is on break at any given time, which allows the school to be put to maximum use year-round and serve one hundred thirty-three per cent of its capacity. Students in each track receive the same number of instructional days (one hundred eighty-one) as students in other schools, but have more frequent breaks throughout the year.

Your Committee further finds that many public schools in high population growth areas have multi-track scheduling in order to prevent overcrowded classrooms and to facilitate learning through smaller class sizes. However, your Committee is concerned that multi-track scheduling causes disruptions to learning and to family life for students, parents, faculty, school administrators, and staff. Your Committee believes that additional staffing and facilities are warranted to ensure that students attending multi-track schools continue to receive a quality education.

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. 3020 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.